Abstract:
A magnetic junction and method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes free and pinned layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The pinned layer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) energy greater than its out-of-plane demagnetization energy. Providing the pinned layer includes providing a bulk PMA (B-PMA) layer, providing an interfacial PMA (I-PMA) layer on the B-PMA layer and then providing a sacrificial layer that is a sink for a constituent of the first I-PMA layer. An anneal is then performed. The sacrificial layer and part of the first I-PMA layer are removed after the anneal. Additional I-PMA layer(s) are provided after the removing. A remaining part of the first I-PMA layer and the additional I-PMA layer(s) have a thickness of not more than twenty Angstroms.
Abstract:
A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and the magnetic junction are described. The method includes providing a free layer, a pinned layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free layer and the pinned layer. The free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. At least one of the step of providing the free layer includes a first plurality of steps and the step of providing the pinned layer includes a second plurality of steps. The first and second plurality of steps include depositing a portion of a layer, depositing a sacrificial layer, annealing the portion of the magnetic junction under the sacrificial layer, and depositing a remaining portion of the layer. The layer may be the free layer, the pinned layer, or both.
Abstract:
A method and system for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device are described. The magnetic junction includes a reference layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer and a free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the reference layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. A portion of the magnetic junction includes at least one magnetic substructure. The magnetic substructure includes at least one Fe layer and at least one nonmagnetic insertion layer. The at least one Fe layer shares at least one interface with the at least one nonmagnetic insertion layer. Each of the at least one nonmagnetic insertion layer consists of at least one of W, I, Hf, Bi, Zn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Os and In.
Abstract:
A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and the magnetic junction are described. A free layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer are provided. The free layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer are annealed at an anneal temperature of at least three hundred fifty degrees Celsius. A pinned layer is provided after the annealing step. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.
Abstract:
A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device is described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer and an oxide interlayer on the free layer. The oxide interlayer includes at least one glass-forming agent. In some aspects, the magnetic junction includes a reference layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer being between the reference layer and the free layer. The free layer is between the nonmagnetic spacer layer and the oxide interlayer.
Abstract:
A magnetic tunnel junction stack includes: a pinned layer; a main oxide barrier layer on the pinned layer; a free layer on the main oxide barrier layer; and a hybrid oxide/metal cap layer on the free layer. The hybrid oxide/metal cap layer includes: a first oxide layer on the free layer; a second oxide layer on the first oxide layer; and a metallic cap layer on the second oxide layer, wherein the free layer is free of boron (B).
Abstract:
A magnetic device and method for providing the device are described. The magnetic device includes magnetic junction(s) and spin-orbit interaction active layer(s) adjacent to the magnetic junction free layer(s). The magnetic junction includes free and pinned layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states. Providing the pinned and/or free layer(s) includes providing a magnetic layer including a glass-promoting component, providing a sacrificial oxide on the magnetic layer, providing a sacrificial layer on the sacrificial oxide and performing anneal(s) of the magnetic layer, the sacrificial oxide layer and the sacrificial layer at anneal temperature(s) greater than 300 degrees Celsius and not exceeding 475 degrees Celsius. The magnetic layer is amorphous as-deposited but is at least partially crystallized after the anneal(s). The sacrificial layer includes a sink for the glass-promoting component. The sacrificial layer and the sacrificial oxide are removed after the anneal(s).
Abstract:
A magnetic device and method for providing the magnetic device are described. The magnetic device includes magnetic junctions and spin-orbit interaction (SO) active layer(s). Each magnetic junction includes free and pinned layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The pinned layer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) energy greater than an out-of-plane demagnetization energy. The pinned layer includes a magnetic barrier layer between a magnetic layer and a high PMA layer including at least one nonmagnetic component. The magnetic barrier layer includes Co and at least one of Ta, W and Mo. The magnetic barrier layer is for blocking diffusion of the nonmagnetic component. The SO active layer(s) are adjacent to the free layer. The SO active layer(s) carry a current in-plane and exert a SO torque on the free layer due to the current. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states using the SO torque.
Abstract:
A magnetic junction and method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes free and pinned layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. Providing the pinned and/or free layer(s) includes providing a magnetic layer including a glass-promoting component, providing a sacrificial oxide layer on the magnetic layer, providing a sacrificial layer on the sacrificial oxide layer and performing at least one anneal of the magnetic layer, the sacrificial oxide layer and the sacrificial layer at anneal temperature(s) greater than 300 degrees Celsius and not exceeding 475 degrees Celsius. The magnetic layer is amorphous as-deposited but is at least partially crystallized after the anneal(s). The sacrificial layer includes a sink for the glass-promoting component. The sacrificial layer and the sacrificial oxide layer are removed after the anneal(s).
Abstract:
A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a magnetic junction are described. A reference layer, a crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer and a free layer are provided. The crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer is continuous, has a (001) orientation and has a thickness of not more than eleven Angstroms and not less than two Angstroms. The crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer is between the free layer and the reference layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.