Origin of the dependence of magnetoresistance on the composition of Co100−xFex electrodes in magnetic tunnel junctions
J. Appl. Phys. 103, 056102 (2008); doi:10.1063/1.2840128
Published 5 March 2008
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The tunneling magnetoresistance value of a Co100−xFex (4 nm)/AlOx 1.7 nm/Co100−xFex (4 nm) magnetic tunnel junction has been demonstrated to depend on the composition of the Co100−xFex electrodes. The interface roughness, crystal structure, and tunneling spin polarization versus the composition of the Co100−xFex electrode were studied to address the origin of this compositional dependence. Ab initio calculations of s-like electron spin polarization predict a composition dependence similar to that observed experimentally. The combined experimental and computational results show that the trends in Co100−xFex tunneling magnetoresistance are modified slightly by the interface roughness but mainly determined by the s-like electron spin polarization values associated with different compositions and crystal structures.
©2008 American Institute of Physics
| History: | Received 16 July 2007; accepted 9 December 2007; published 5 March 2008 |
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http://link.aip.org/link/?JAPIAU/103/056102/1 |
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0021-8979 (print)
1089-7550 (online)
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