Current-induced magnetization switching in MgO barrier magnetic tunnel junctions with CoFeB based synthetic ferrimagnetic free layers

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that using a synthetic ferrimagnetic free layer in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions reduces the critical current for magnetization switching, enhances thermal stability, and enables field-free switching suitable for spin-transfer torque memory.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel SyF free layer structure in MgO-based MTJs that lowers switching current and allows field-free operation, improving spin-transfer torque MRAM performance.

Findings

Lowered critical current density to 2-4x10^6 A/cm^2

Achieved thermal stability factor over 60 for long retention

Enabled bistable magnetization without external magnetic fields

Abstract

We investigated the effect of using a synthetic ferrimagnetic (SyF) free layer in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) on current-induced magnetization switching (CIMS), particularly for application to spin-transfer torque random access memory (SPRAM). The employed SyF free layer had a Co40Fe40B20/ Ru/ Co40Fe40B20 and Co20Fe60B20/Ru/Co20Fe60B20 structures, and the MTJs(100x(150-300) nm^2) were annealed at 300oC. The use of SyF free layer resulted in low intrinsic critical current density (Jc0) without degrading the thermal-stability factor (E/kBT, where E, kB, and T are the energy potential, the Boltzmann constant, and temperature,respectively). When the two CoFeB layers of a strongly antiferromagnetically coupled SyF free layer had the same thickness, Jc0 was reduced to 2-4x10^6 A/cm^2. This low Jc0 may be due to the decreased effective volume under the large spin accumulation at the CoFeB/Ru. The E/kBT was over 60, resulting in a retention time of over ten years and suppression of the write current dispersion for SPRAM. The use of the SyF free layer also resulted in a bistable (parallel/antiparallel) magnetization configuration at zero field, enabling the realization of CIMS without the need to apply external fields to compensate for the offset field.