Switching current reduction using perpendicular anisotropy in CoFeB–MgO magnetic tunnel junctions

Abstract

We present in-plane CoFeB–MgO magnetic tunnel junctions with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the free layer to reduce the spin transfer induced switching current. The tunneling magnetoresistance ratio, resistance-area product, and switching current densities are compared in magnetic tunnel junctions with different CoFeB compositions. The effects of CoFeB free layer thickness on its magnetic anisotropy and current-induced switching characteristics are studied by vibrating sample magnetometry and electrical transport measurements on patterned elliptical nanopillar devices. Switching current densities ∼4 MA/cm2 are obtained at 10 ns write times.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 14, 2011
Source ID
10.1063/1.3567780

Entities

People

  • G. Rowlands
  • Hong-Wen Jiang
  • Hongping Zhao
  • I. N. Krivorotov
  • J. A. Katine
  • J. Langer
  • J.-p. Wang
  • K. Galatsis
  • K. L. Wang
  • P. Khalili Amiri
  • Y. Huai
  • Y.-j. Chen
  • Z. M. Zeng

Organizations

  • Avalanche Technology
  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • HGST
  • Singulus Technologies
  • University of California
  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene