Structural and magnetic features of oxygen inserted [Co-O/Pt]n multi-layer matrix for spin transfer torque memory applications.

We describe the influence of inserted oxygen atoms on the structural and magnetic properties of a [Co/Pt]n multi-layer matrix. The correlation of magnetic properties with oxygen gas flow rate was studied as an alternative perpendicular medium in spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory applications. Experimental analysis suggests that the addition of a small amount of oxygen atoms into the [Co/Pt]n multi-layer matrix leads to a high coercivity and proper magnetization performance, together with high thermal stability. Finally, the nature of the improved perpendicular medium behaviors is also discussed.

Thermally robust perpendicular Co/Pd-based synthetic antiferromagnetic coupling enabled by a W capping or buffer layer.

Perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) that contain synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) frames show promise as reliable building blocks to meet the demands of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA)-based spintronic devices. In particular, Co/Pd multilayer-based SAFs have been widely employed due to their outstanding PMA features. However, the widespread utilization of Co/Pd multilayer SAFs coupled with an adjacent CoFeB reference layer (RL) is still a challenge due to the structural discontinuity or intermixing that occurs during high temperature annealing. Thus, we address the thermally robust characteristics of Co/Pd multilayer SAFs by controlling a W layer as a potential buffer or capping layer. The W-capped Co/Pd multilayer SAF, which acts as a pinning layer, exhibited a wide-range plateau with sharp spin-flip and near-zero remanence at the zero field. Structural analysis of the W-capped multilayer SAF exhibited single-crystal-like c-axis oriented crystalline features after annealing at 400 °C, thereby demonstrating the applicability of these frames. In addition, when the W layer serving as a buffer layer in the Co/Pd multilayer SAF was coupled with a conventional CoFeB RL, higher annealing stability up to 425 °C and prominent antiferromagnetic coupling behavior were obtained.

Ultrathin W space layer-enabled thermal stability enhancement in a perpendicular MgO/CoFeB/W/CoFeB/MgO recording frame.

Perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) show promise as reliable candidates for next-generation memory due to their outstanding features. However, several key challenges remain that affect CoFeB/MgO-based p-MTJ performance. One significant issue is the low thermal stability (Δ) due to the rapid perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) degradation during annealing at temperatures greater than 300 °C. Thus, the ability to provide thermally robust PMA characteristics is a key steps towards extending the use of these materials. Here, we examine the influence of a W spacer on double MgO/CoFeB/W/CoFeB/MgO frames as a generic alternative layer to ensure thermally-robust PMAs at temperatures up to 425 °C. The thickness-dependent magnetic features of the W layer were evaluated at various annealing temperatures to confirm the presence of strong ferromagnetic interlayer coupling at an optimized 0.55 nm W spacer thickness. Using this W layer we achieved a higher Δ of 78 for an approximately circular 20 nm diameter free layer device.

Influence of thickness variation on perpendicular magnetic anisotropy features of the [co/pt]n multilayer frame.

We report the structural and magnetic properties of a [Co/Pt] multilayer matrix as a function of Pt thickness. Increasing Pt thickness allows for the formation of a well-aligned fcc (111) CoPt3 structure in a [Co/Pt]n multilayer geometry, where the clear appearance of main (111) peak of CoPt3 measured using the X-ray diffraction patterns was confirmed. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, along with the corresponding fast Fourier transform patterns displayed the ordered structure with clear 6-fold symmetric diffraction spots. The c/a lattice constant ratio of 0.949 was calculated by utilizing the XRD and, demonstrating the presence of a well-aligned CoPt3 structure. The Pt thickness-dependent saturation magnetization (M(s)) values for the in- and out-of-plane M-H hysteresis loops obtained by vibrating sample magnetometer measurements showed distinctly opposite trends. The increase in the out-of-plane M(s) value with increasing Pt thickness seems to originate from the enhanced perpendicular orbital moment of the proper CoPt3 structure.