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AIST TODAYNo.13 Summer 2004


The Highest Magnetoresistance Achieved in Single-Crystal Magnetic Tunnel Junctions
- Key technology for ultrahigh-density MRAM -


We fabricated single-crystal Fe/MgO/Fe magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) and achieved a magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of 88% at T = 293K (146% at T = 20K), the highest value yet reported. This MR ratio exceeds the theoretical limit for the conventional MTJs with an aluminum-oxide tunnel barrier. The bias-voltage dependence of the MR was very small, resulting in a high output voltage of 380 mV. This high voltage will help overcome problems in the development of next-generation ultrahigh-density MRAM.

Figure
Magnetoresistance curves of Fe/MgO/Fe tunnel junction at T = 293 K and 20 K

Relational Information

AIST Today Vol. 4, No.5 (2004) 4-6



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