Lorentz microscopy study of magnetization reversal mechanism in magnetic tunnel junction elements

Ping Shang; Andrew Hogwood; Amanda K. Petford-Long; Thomas C. Anthony

doi:10.1063/1.1357856

Lorentz microscopy study of magnetization reversal mechanism in magnetic tunnel junction elements

Ping Shang^*, Andrew Hogwood, Amanda K. Petford-Long, Thomas C. Anthony

^*Corresponding author for this work

Materials Science and Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

The magnetization reversal mechanism of four different shaped (rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, and hexagonal) tunnel junction elements with area ranging from 0.04 to 12 μm² has been investigated using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that the reversal field is influenced by element size and aspect ratio but is not strongly dependent upon the element shape. 360° domain walls were often observed to form in the elements and were sustained to a high field when the relative magnetization configuration of the free and pinned layers changed from parallel to antiparallel. The formation of 360° domain walls depends strongly on the shape and aspect ratio of the element, with a lower probability of formation in elements with either an aspect ratio of 1:1 or a hexagonal shape.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	7368-7370
Number of pages	3
Journal	Journal of Applied Physics
Volume	89
Issue number	11 II
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1357856
State	Published - Jun 1 2001
Event	8th Joint Magnetism and Magnetic Materials-Intermag Conference - San Antonio, TX, United States Duration: Jan 7 2001 → Jan 11 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Physics and Astronomy(all)

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title = "Lorentz microscopy study of magnetization reversal mechanism in magnetic tunnel junction elements",

abstract = "The magnetization reversal mechanism of four different shaped (rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, and hexagonal) tunnel junction elements with area ranging from 0.04 to 12 μm2 has been investigated using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that the reversal field is influenced by element size and aspect ratio but is not strongly dependent upon the element shape. 360° domain walls were often observed to form in the elements and were sustained to a high field when the relative magnetization configuration of the free and pinned layers changed from parallel to antiparallel. The formation of 360° domain walls depends strongly on the shape and aspect ratio of the element, with a lower probability of formation in elements with either an aspect ratio of 1:1 or a hexagonal shape.",

author = "Ping Shang and Andrew Hogwood and Petford-Long, {Amanda K.} and Anthony, {Thomas C.}",

year = "2001",

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doi = "10.1063/1.1357856",

language = "English (US)",

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pages = "7368--7370",

journal = "Journal of Applied Physics",

issn = "0021-8979",

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number = "11 II",

note = "8th Joint Magnetism and Magnetic Materials-Intermag Conference ; Conference date: 07-01-2001 Through 11-01-2001",

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T1 - Lorentz microscopy study of magnetization reversal mechanism in magnetic tunnel junction elements

AU - Shang, Ping

AU - Hogwood, Andrew

AU - Petford-Long, Amanda K.

AU - Anthony, Thomas C.

PY - 2001/6/1

Y1 - 2001/6/1

N2 - The magnetization reversal mechanism of four different shaped (rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, and hexagonal) tunnel junction elements with area ranging from 0.04 to 12 μm2 has been investigated using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that the reversal field is influenced by element size and aspect ratio but is not strongly dependent upon the element shape. 360° domain walls were often observed to form in the elements and were sustained to a high field when the relative magnetization configuration of the free and pinned layers changed from parallel to antiparallel. The formation of 360° domain walls depends strongly on the shape and aspect ratio of the element, with a lower probability of formation in elements with either an aspect ratio of 1:1 or a hexagonal shape.

AB - The magnetization reversal mechanism of four different shaped (rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, and hexagonal) tunnel junction elements with area ranging from 0.04 to 12 μm2 has been investigated using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that the reversal field is influenced by element size and aspect ratio but is not strongly dependent upon the element shape. 360° domain walls were often observed to form in the elements and were sustained to a high field when the relative magnetization configuration of the free and pinned layers changed from parallel to antiparallel. The formation of 360° domain walls depends strongly on the shape and aspect ratio of the element, with a lower probability of formation in elements with either an aspect ratio of 1:1 or a hexagonal shape.

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JO - Journal of Applied Physics

JF - Journal of Applied Physics

IS - 11 II

T2 - 8th Joint Magnetism and Magnetic Materials-Intermag Conference

Y2 - 7 January 2001 through 11 January 2001

ER -

Lorentz microscopy study of magnetization reversal mechanism in magnetic tunnel junction elements

Abstract

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