FORC+ Analysis of Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

TL;DR

This paper introduces FORC+, a new analysis method for magnetic tunnel junctions that preserves fine-scale features in FORC distributions, enabling detailed insights into switching mechanisms.

Contribution

The paper presents FORC+, a novel analysis program that detects fine-scale structures in FORC data without smoothing, improving understanding of MTJ switching behavior.

Findings

FORC+ reveals sharp structures in MTJ FORC distributions.

The method distinguishes real features from noise without smoothing.

Insights into the switching mechanisms of MTJs are gained.

Abstract

We have studied magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) thin-film stacks using the First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) method. These have very sharp structures in the FORC distribution, unlike most particulate systems or patterned films. These structures are hard to study using conventional FORC analysis programs that require smoothing, because this washes out the structure. We have used a new analysis program (FORC+) that is designed to distinguish fine-scale structure from noise without the use of smoothing, to identify these structures and gain information about the switching mechanism of the stack.