Abstract
Nanostructure of a current-perpendicular-to-plane giant-magnetoresistance film with a current-confined-path (CCP) nano-oxide layer was analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional atom probe. It was found that the CCP of a film with a higher magnetoresistance (MR) ratio has better crystalline orientation and higher purity than the CCP of a film with a smaller MR ratio. Moreover, the free layer on the CCP of a film with a high MR ratio is well crystallized. Both the CCP with the good crystalline orientation and high purity and the well-crystallized free layer diminish the diffusive electron scattering, which improves an MR ratio.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 262509 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 92 |
Issue number | 26 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)