FePdB layer for perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

Abstract

We have investigated the feasibility of using FePdB alloy layers for perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs). The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of FePdB films is obtained by depositing amorphous Fe40Pd40B20 layers on proper templates and by postannealing. An FePdB film on a thick Pt (001) underlayer has a PMA energy (K-u) of 4.9 x 10(6) erg/cm(3), and an FePdB layer sandwiched by two thin MgO (001) layers shows a K-u of 3.7 x 10(6) erg/ cm(3). A double barrier p-MTJ with an FePdB middle layer shows a tunnel magnetoresistance of 6.8%. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3517482]