Published June 1, 2001 | Version v1
Journal article

Low-resistance IrMn and PtMn tunnel valves for recording head applications

Description

We have investigated the use of ultrathin Al2O3 barriers to fabricate low-resistance tunnel-valve sensors suitable for recording heads. Tunnel valves of the type underlayer/(IrMn or PtMn)/CoFe/Al2O3/CoFe/NiFe/Cap layer have been fabricated by magnetron sputtering. Tunnel barriers are formed by Al metal deposition followed by in situ oxidation, and tunnel-junction test devices are built by photolithography with areas down to 1x1μm2. Specific resistances as low as 13 Ωμm2 with 25% tunnel magnetoresistance have been obtained using Al thicknesses of 6 - 7 Aa. [copyright] 2001 American Institute of Physics

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Applied Physics
Journal Volume
89
Journal Issue
11
Series
The American Physical Society
Journal Page Range
p. 7353-7355
ISSN
0021-8979

Optional Information

Notes
Othernumber: JAPIAU000089000011007353000001; 456111MMM
Funding organization
(United States)