Co/Pt multilayer based reference layers in magnetic tunnel junctions for nonvolatile spintronics VLSIs

Abstract

We investigated properties of Co/Pt multilayer for reference layer in CoFeB–MgO magnetic tunnel junctions with perpendicular easy axis. The sufficient thermal stability factor of 284 was obtained under zero applied field in 40-nm-diameter Co/Pt multilayer based reference layer annealed at 350 °C. By applying a synthetic ferrimagnetic (SyF) structure to the Co/Pt multilayer based reference layer, the shift of the center of minor resistance-magnetic field curves was suppressed, leading to higher thermal stability of antiparallel magnetization configuration than that without a SyF structure.