• 한국자기학회지
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.315-319
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• 2005

본 연구에서는 자기터널접합(MTJs; magnetic tunnel junctions)의 스위칭 자기장($H_{SW}$)을 감소시키기 위하여 자유층으로 비정질 강자성 $Co_{70.5}Fe_{4,5}Si_{15}B_{10}$ 단일(single) 및 합성형 반강자성(SAF; synthetic antiferromagnet) 층을 사용하였다. $Si/SiO_2/Ta$ 45/Ru 9.5/IrMn 10/CoFe 7/AlOx/CoFeSiB 7 or CoFeSiB (t)/Ru 1.0/CoFeSiB (7-t)/Ru 60 (in nm) MTJs의 자기저항과 스위칭 특성을 CoFe 자유층과 NiFe 자유층을 갖는 MTJs와 비교하여 조사하였다. CoFeSiB은 포화자화($M_s$)가 $560\;emu/cm^3$으로 CoFe보다 낮고, 이방성 상수(Ku)는 $2800 erg/cm^3$으로 NiFe보다 높다. CoFeSiB SAF 구조에서 CoFeSiB 사이의 Ru 두께가 1.0 nm일 때 교환결합에너지($J_{ex}$)는 $-0.003erg/cm^2$였다. 이와 같이 비교적 작은 $J_{ex}$ 때문에, CoFeSiB SAF 자유층을 갖는 MTJs의 실험 및 Landau-Lisfschitz-Gilbert(LLG)식에 의한 시뮬레이션 결과 모두에서 $H_{SW}$가 접합크기에 의존하는 경향을 보였다. CoFeSiB SAF 자유층 MTJ의 $H_{SW}$는 CoFe, NiFe 또는 CoFeSiB single을 자유층으로 하는 MTJs에 비해 훨씬 낮게 나타났다. 따라서 CoFeSiB SAF를 자유층으로 사용한 MTJ는 micrometer에서 submicrometer 크기 영역 모두에서 보지적의 감소와 민감도 증가와 같은 우수한 스위칭 특성을 갖는 것을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.17-22
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• 2004

We studied the magnetotransport properties of tunnel junctions with AlO and AlN barriers fabricated using microwave-excited plasma. The plasma nitridation process provided wider controllability than the plasma oxidization for the formation of MTJs with ultra-thin insulating layer, because of the slow nitriding rate of metal Al layers, comparing with the oxidizing rate of them. High tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratios of 49 and 44% with respective resistance-area product $(R{\times}A) of 3 {\times} 10^4 and 6 {\times} 10^3 {\Omega}{\mu}m^2$ were obtained in the Co-Fe/Al-N/Co-Fe MTJs. We conclude that AlN is a hopeful barrier material to realize MTJs with high TMR ratio and low $R{\times}A$ for high performance MRAM cells. In addition, in order to clarify the annealing temperature dependence of TMR, the local transport properties were measured for Ta $50{\AA} /Cu 200 {\AA}/Ta 50 {\AA}/Ni_{76}Fe_{24} 20 {\AA}/Cu 50 {\AA}/Mn_{75}Ir_{25} 100 {\AA}/Co_{71}Fe_{29} 40 {\AA}/Al-O$ junction with $d_{Al}= 8 {\AA} and P_{O2}{\times}t_{0X}/ = 8.4 {\times} 10^4$ at various temperatures. The current histogram statistically calculated from the electrical current image was well in accord with the fitting result considering the Gaussian distribution and Fowler-Nordheim equation. After annealing at $340^{\circ}C$, where the TMR ratio of the corresponding MTJ had the maximum value of 44%, the average barrier height increased to 1.12 eV and its standard deviation decreased to 0.1 eV. The increase of TMR ratio after annealing could be well explained by the enhancement of the average barrier height and the reduction of its fluctuation.

• 한국자기학회지
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.279-282
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• 2006

비정질 강자성 NiFeSiB 자유층을 갖는 자기터널접합 (MTJ)에 대하여 연구하였다. 비정질 자유층이 MTJ의 스위칭 특성에 미치는 영향을 알아보는데 역점을 두어 기존의 CoFe와 NiFe층 대신에 NiFeSiB 자성층을 사용하였다. $Ni_{16}Fe_{62}Si_{8}B_{14}$는 $Co_{90}Fe_{10}$보다 더 낮은 포화자화도 ($M_{s}:\;800\;emu/cm^{3}$) 그리고 $Ni_{80}Fe_{20}$보다 더 높은 이방성 상수 ($K_{u}:\;2700\;erg/cm^{3}$)를 갖는다. $Si/SiO_{2}/Ta$ 45/Ru 9.5/IrMn 10/CoFe $7/AlO_{x}/CoFeSiB\;(t)/Ru\;60\;(nm)$ 구조는 그 자체의 낮은 포화자화도와 높은 일축 이방성을 가짐으로 인하여 보자력($H_{c}$)을 감소시키고 스위칭 각형을 증가시키게 함으로서 MTJ의 스위칭 특성에 유리한 것으로 조사되었다. 더욱이 미소두께(1 nm)의 CoFe층을 터널장벽/NiFeSiB 경계면에 삽입하면 TMR비와 스위칭 각형이 증가하고 개선되었다.

• 한국자기학회:학술대회 개요집
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• 한국자기학회 2003년도 하계학술연구발표회 및 한.일 공동심포지엄
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• pp.21-21
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• 2003

Microstructure and magnetic transport phenomina in rf sputtered AlN/Co type ten-layered discontinuous films of nanoscaled [AlN (3 nm)/Co (t nm)]...$\sub$10/ with t$\sub$Co/=1.0∼2.0 nm have been investigated. The microstructure and tunneling magnetic resistance of the samples are strongly dependent on the thickness of Co layer. Negative tunneling magneto-resistance due to the spin-dependent transport has been observed along the current-in-plane configuration in the samples having the Co layers below 1.6 nm thick. When the thickness of Co layer was less than 1,2 nm, randomly oriented granular Co particles were completely isolated and embedded in amorphous AlN matrix, and the films showed the superparamagnetic behavior with a high MR value of Δ$\rho$/$\rho$$\sub$0/=1.8 %. As t$\sub$Co/ increases, a transition from the regime of co-existence of superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic behaviors to ferromagnetic behavior was observed. Tunneling barrier called "decay length for tunneling" for the films having the thickness of Co layer from 1.4 to 1.6 nm was measured to be ranged from 0.004 to 0.021 ${\AA}$$\^$-1/.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.98-102
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• 2003

Microstructure and magnetic transport phenomina in rf sputtered AIN/CO type ten- layered discontinuous films of nanoscaled [AIN(3 nm)/Co(t nm)]…$_10$ with t$_Co$=1.0∼2.0 nm have been investigated. The microstructure and tunneling magnetic resistance of the samples are strongly dependent on the thickness of Co layer, Negative tunneling magneto-resistance due to the spin-dependent transport has been observed along the current-in-plane configuration in the samples having the Co layers below 1.6 nm thick. When the thickness of Co layer was less than 1.2 nm, randomly oriented granular Co particles were completely isolated and embedded in amorphous AIN matrix, and the films showed the superparamagnetic behavior with a high MR value of ${\Delta}p/p_0$=1.8%. As t$_Co$ increases, a transition from the regime of co-existence of superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic behaviors to ferromagnetic behavior was observed. funneling barrier called “decay length far tunneling” fur the films haying the thickness of Co layer from 1.4 to 1.6 nm was measured to be ranged from 0.004 to 0.021 ${\AA}$$^{-1}$.

• 한국자기학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.127-131
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• 2002

자성터널접합(magnetic tunnel junction: MTJ)소자의 AlO$_{x}$터널장벽 절연층을 플라즈마 산화법으로 2번에 나누어 금속증착.산화를 반복하여 만들어 보았다. 이중산화I그룹은 10A의 $\AA$의 Al 하부 절연막을 증착하고 산화시간을 10 s로 완성한 후 그 위에 13$\AA$의 Al을성막하고 50, 80, 120s간 산화시켜 완성한 절연막의 특성을 알아보았다. 이중산화II그룹은 10$\AA$봐 Al하부 절연막의 산화시간을 30~120 s간 달리하고 그 위에 13 $\AA$의 Al을 성막하고 210 s간 산화시켜 완성한 절연막의 특성을 알아보았다. 이중산화공정으로 제조된 시편은 전 실험범위에서 자기저항비(magnetoresistance： MR)는 27% 이상으로 우수하였고, 이는 13 $\AA$의 Al을 증착하고 한번만 산화시키는 통상의 단일산화에 비해 MR비가 우수하고 공정범위가 넓었다. 수직단면 투과전자현미경(transmission electron microscope： TEM)으로 미세구조를 확인한 결과 이중산화가 단일산화보다도 더 얇고 균일한 두께를 유지함을 알 수 있었다 X선광전자분석(X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy： XPS)으로 확인한 결과 이중산화는 절연막층 하부 CoFe 자성층의 Fe의 산화를 방지하여, 결과적으로 단일산화법에 비해서 하부자성층의 산화를 방지하여 긴 산화시간 공정 범위에서도 우수한 MR비를 가질 수 있었다.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.72-79
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• 2002

Local M-H loops have been measured on the free layer of a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) junction using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) system, with an optical beam size of about 2 $\mu$m diameter. Tunnel junctions were deposited using the DC magnetron sputtering method in a chamber with a base pressure of 3$\times$10$^{-9}$ Torr. The relatively irregular variations of coercive force H$_c$(∼17.5 Oe) and unidirectional anisotropy field H$_{ua}$(∼7.5 Oe) in the as-deposited sample are revealed. After $200{^{\circ}C}$ annealing, He decreases to 15 Oe but H$_{ua}$ increases to 20 Oe with smooth local variations. Two-dimensional plots of H$_c$ and H$_{ua}$ show the symmetric saddle shapes with their axes aligned with the pinned layer, irrespective of the annealing field angle. This is thought to be caused by geometric effects during deposition, together with a minor annealing effect. In addition, the variation of root mean square (RMS) surface roughness reveals it to be symmetric with respect to the center of the pinned-layer axis, with the roughness of 2.5 $\AA$ near the edge and 5.8 $\AA$ at the junction center. Comparison of surface roughness with the variation of H$_{ua}$ suggests that the H$_{ua}$ variation of the free layer is well described by dipole interactions related to surface roughness. As a whole, the reversal magnetization is not uniform over the entire junction area and the macroscopic properties are governed by the average sum of local distributions.

• 한국자기학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.68-72
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• 2002

본 연구에서는 터널링 자기저항 소자에서 절연층을 중심으로한 접합면의 정전 용량이 이를 메모리 소자로 사용하였을 때 접근시간에 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 여기에서 얻어진 결과는 자장을 인가하지 않고 전기적 신호만을 입력하여 측정하였다. 이를 위해 시편에 1 MHz의 양극성 구형파를 인가하고 응답 파형을 오실로스코프로 관찰하여 시정수를 계산하였다. 그리고 각 cell의 접합면 면적에 따라 시정수를 비교하였다. 이렇게 측정된 시정수와 시편에서 각 부분의 전기적 저항 측정자료들을 기초로 전기 패드 리드 그리고 접합면과 같은 시편의 각 부위가 전기적 회로로 모델링 되었다. 그 결과 200$\mu\textrm{m}$$\times$200$\mu\textrm{m}$ cell에서 약 90 pF의 접합면 정전용량이 존재함을 유추할 수 있었다. 또한 모델링 결과와 실제 측정한 결과를 서로 비교하여 그 특성이 매우 유사함을 보였다.

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2011년도 제40회 동계학술대회 초록집
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• pp.77-77
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• 2011

These days, a growing demand for memory device is filled up with the flash memory and the dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Although DRAM is a reasonable solution for current demand, the universal novel memory with high density, high speed and nonvolatility, needs to be developed. Among various new memories, the magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device is considered as one of good candidate memories because of excellent features including high density, high speed, low operating power and nonvolatility. The etching of MTJ stack which is composed of magnetic materials and insulator such as MgO is one of the vital process for MRAM. Recently, MgO has attracted great interest in the MTJ stack as tunneling barrier layer for its high tunneling magnetoresistance values. For the successful realization of high density MRAM, the etching process of MgO thin films should be investigated. Until now, there were some works devoted to the investigations on etch characteristics of MgO thin films. Initially, ion milling was applied to the etching of MgO thin films. However, ion milling has many disadvantages such as sidewall redeposition and etching damage. High density plasma etching containing the magnetically enhanced reactive ion etching and high density reactive ion etching have been employed for the improvement of etching process. In this work, inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICPRIE) system was adopted for the improvement of etching process using MgO thin films and etching gas mixes of $CH_4$/Ar and $CH_4$/$O_2$/Ar have been employed. The etch rates are measured by a surface profilometer and etch profiles are observed using field emission scanning emission microscopy (FESEM). The effects of gas concentration and etch parameters such as coil rf power, dc-bias voltage to substrate, and gas pressure on etch characteristics will be systematically explored.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.369-373
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• 2003

Magneto-optic Kerr Effect(MOKE), AFM and magnetoresistance measurements have been carried out on as-deposited and annealed Magnetic Tunnel Junctions(MTJs) with junction sizes 180, 250, 320 and 380 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in order to investigate the correlation among interlayer exchange coupling, surface roughness and junction size. Relatively irregular variations of coercivity $H_{c}$ (∼17.5 Oe) and interlayer exchange coupling $H_{E}$ (∼17.5 Oe) are observed over the junction in as-deposited sample prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. After annealing at $200^{\circ}C$, $H_{c}$ decreases to 15 Oe, while $H_{ E}$ increases to 20 Oe with smooth local variation. $H_{E}$ shows very good correlation with surface roughness across the junction in agreement with Neel's orange peel coupling. The increasing slope per $\mu\textrm{m}$ of normalized $H_{c}$ and $H_{E}$ are same near junction edge along free-layer direction irrespective of junction size, giving relatively uniform $H_{c}$ and $H_{ E}$ for wider junction size. Thickness profiles of the junctions measured with $\alpha$-step show increasingly flat top surface for larger junctions, indicating better uniformity for large. junctions in agreement with the normalized$ H_{c}$ and H$/_{E}$ curves. TMR ratios also increase with increasing junction size, indicating improvement for larger uniform junctions.