Reducing critical current for spin-transfer-torque-induced magnetization reversal in CPP-GMR devices: effect of low damping and enhanced spin scattering asymmetry in $Co_2FeGa_{0.5}Ge_{0.5}$ Heusler alloy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that using the low damping and high spin polarization properties of Co_2FeGa_{0.5}Ge_{0.5} Heusler alloy reduces the critical current in spin-transfer-torque devices, enhancing efficiency and stability.

Contribution

It introduces the use of CFGG Heusler alloy as a free layer and bilayer CoFe/CFGG spin injection layer to improve STT device performance.

Findings

Significant reduction in operation current with CFGG as free layer.

Lowest critical current achieved with CoFe/CFGG bilayer SIL.

Reduced device-to-device variation in STT efficiency.

Abstract

Spin-transfer torque (STT) in magnetoresistance devices has enabled key applications such as STT-magnetoresistive random access memory, spin torque oscillators, and energy-assisted magnetic recording. In the device structures, where a free layer (FL) magnetization is manipulated by spin injection from a spin injection layer (SIL), the critical current density required for operation is directly proportional to the damping ($\alpha$) constant of FL and inversely proportional to the STT efficiency, which depends on the spin polarization ($P$) of the materials. Here, we investigate the effect of low $\alpha$ and high $P$ of $Co_2FeGa_{0.5}Ge_{0.5}$(CFGG) Heusler alloy on the operation current required for STT-induced magnetization reversal in current perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance devices. Devices with CFGG as a FL material achieved a large reduction in the operation current, as compared to those with conventional NiFe-FL owing to the very low $\alpha$ of CFGG, demonstrating the advantage of CFGG as a FL material. As the advantage of high spin polarization CFGG for SIL, we analyzed the effect of bilayer SIL consisting of CoFe and thin CFGG layers, focusing on utilizing the spin scattering asymmetry at the CoFe/CFGG interface. Devices with the CoFe/CFGG-SIL exhibited the lowest critical current, demonstrating enhanced STT efficiency. In addition, the correlation of STT efficiency with magnetoresistance ratio were comprehensively investigated, showing that device-to-device distribution in STT-efficiency was smaller in CoFe/CFGG-SIL. These findings highlight the potential of CFGG Heusler alloy and CoFe/CFGG bilayer structures as key components for the development of efficient and stable STT-based spintronic devices.