Structural analysis of a (Pt/Co)3/IrMn multilayer: Investigation of sub-nanometric layers by tomographic atom probe
Creators
- 1. Groupe de Physique des Materiaux, UMR CNRS 6634, Universite de Rouen, Avenue de l'Universite, BP 12, 76801 Saint Etienne du Rouvray (France)
- 2. SPINTEC (URA 2512 CNRS/CEA), INAC, CEA/Grenoble, 17 Avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble (France)
Description
The structure of a Ta3nm/[(Pt2nm/Co0.4nm)3/IrMn7nm]7/Pt10nm multilayer exhibiting perpendicular exchange bias has been investigated by x-ray reflectometry and laser-assisted tomographic atom probe (LATAP). A strong intermixing at the Co/IrMn interface is pointed out by x-ray reflectometry, this interface being more diffuse than the IrMn/Pt interface. A direct observation of this intermixing at the atomic scale is obtained thanks to the LATAP in real space. The three-dimensional reconstructions reveal the atomic planes in the Pt layers and the Pt-Co intermixing in the (Pt/Co)3 multilayer. The analysis of the concentration profiles allows to determine the chemical composition of the Co subnanometric layers; thus providing for the first time an accurate structural characterization of such layers leading to an estimation of their thickness, roughness, atomic concentration and width of their interfaces.
Additional details
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1063/1.3106636;
Publishing Information
- Journal Title
- Journal of Applied Physics
- Journal Volume
- 105
- Journal Issue
- 8
- Journal Page Range
- p. 084307-084307.7
- ISSN
- 0021-8979
- CODEN
- JAPIAU
INIS
- Country of Publication
- United States
- Country of Input or Organization
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- INIS RN
- 41090497
- Subject category
- S77: NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY;
- Descriptors DEI
- ANTIFERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; COBALT; ELECTRONS; EXCHANGE INTERACTIONS; FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS; IRIDIUM ALLOYS; LASERS; LAYERS; MAGNETISM; MANGANESE ALLOYS; NANOSTRUCTURES; PLATINUM; ROUGHNESS; TANTALUM; THICKNESS; THIN FILMS; THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
- Descriptors DEC
- ALLOYS; DIMENSIONS; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; ELEMENTS; FERMIONS; FILMS; INTERACTIONS; LEPTONS; MAGNETIC MATERIALS; MATERIALS; METALS; PLATINUM METAL ALLOYS; PLATINUM METALS; REFRACTORY METALS; SURFACE PROPERTIES; TRANSITION ELEMENT ALLOYS; TRANSITION ELEMENTS
Optional Information
- Notes
- (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics