Abstract
ABSTRACTExtent of Mn diffusion to the plasma-oxidized AlOx tunnel barrier of magnetic tunnel junction was examined using Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). A magnetic film stack consisting of Ta/AlOx/CoFe/IrMn/NiFe/Ta was deposited with the AlOx layer treated under different plasma oxidation durations. AES depth profiles showed that Mn diffusion to the AlOx/CoFe interface increased with increasing oxidation after annealing at 300°C. XPS analysis indicated that Mn found at the CoFe/AlOx interface in the over-oxidized electrode was in the form of MnO2. Our research suggests that Mn diffusion was accelerated by preferential oxidation of Mn at the CoFe/AlOx interface.
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