2013/09/13 by Johannes Christian Leutenantsmeyer, Marvin Walter, Leutenantsmeyer, Johannes Christian +11
Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Magnetic Properties of Alloys #Magnetic properties of thin films #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) #Quantum and electron transport phenomena
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1309.3397
openalex publication_date 2013/09/13 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We demonstrate the reduction of critical spin-transfer torque (STT) switching currents in Co-Fe-B/MgO based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) with perpendicular magnetization anisotropy (PMA). The junctions yield tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratios of up to 64% at 4 monolayer (ML) tunnel barrier thickness. In this paper, the reduction of the critical switching current density is studied. By optimizing the applied bias field during DC-STT measurements, ultra low critical switching current densities of less than 20 kA/cm2, even down to 9 kA/cm2, are found. With the reduced switching currents, our samples are ideal candidates for further experimental studies such as the theoretical predicted thermally driven spin-transfer torque effect.