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Research Article| July 16 2009

Magnetoresistance based first-order reversal curve analysis of magnetic tunnel junctions

J. M. Pomeroy;

J. M. Pomeroy ^a)

1

National Institute of Standards and Technology

, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899,

USA

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T. C. White;

T. C. White

1

National Institute of Standards and Technology

, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899,

USA

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H. Grube;

H. Grube

1

National Institute of Standards and Technology

, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899,

USA

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J. C. Read;

J. C. Read

1

National Institute of Standards and Technology

, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899,

USA

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J. E. Davies

J. E. Davies

2Advanced Technology Group,

NVE Corporation

, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344,

USA

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Author & Article Information

Electronic mail: joshua.pomeroy@nist.gov.

Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 022514 (2009)

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3175723

First-order reversal curve (FORC) analysis is conventionally applied to magnetization versus applied magnetic field loops to determine the ensemble properties of multidomain magnetic samples ranging from naturally occurring geological samples to exquisitely engineered materials for use in magnetic storage. We apply FORC analysis to magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) by using magnetoresistance instead of magnetization field. By using the MTJ resistance to monitor domain switching, arbitrarily small samples can be studied, as well as functioning devices after lithographic patterning. Experimental data are presented from sub- $0.01 {mm}^{2}$ MTJs that illustrate the application of FORC analysis and demonstrate asymmetric switching distributions when mapped in coercive versus interaction field space.

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© 2009 American Institute of Physics.

2009

American Institute of Physics

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