Interfacial density of states in magnetic tunnel junctions.
Large zero-bias resistance anomalies as well as a collapse of magnetoresistance were observed in Co/Al2O3/Co magnetic tunnel junctions with thin Cr interfacial layers. The tunnel magnetoresistance decays exponentially with nominal Cr interlayer thickness with a length scale of approximately 1 A more than twice as fast as for Cu interlayers. The strong suppression of magnetoresistance, as well as the zero-bias anomalies, can be understood by considering a strong spin-dependent modification of the density of states at Co/Cr interfaces. The role of the interfacial density of states is shown by the use of specially engineered structures. Similar effects are predicted and observed in junctions with Ru interfacial layers.
LeClair
P
P
Department of Applied Physics and COBRA, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. pleclair@phys.tue.nl
Kohlhepp
J T
JT
Swagten
H J
HJ
de Jonge
W J
WJ