Nitride diffusion barrier structure for spintronic applications
US10950782B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01F10/329
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is disclosed wherein a nitride diffusion barrier (NDB) has a L2/L1/NL or NL/L1/L2 configuration wherein NL is a metal nitride or metal oxynitride layer, L2 blocks oxygen diffusion from an adjoining Hk enhancing layer, and L1 prevents nitrogen diffusion from NL to the free layer (FL) thereby enhancing magnetoresistive ratio and FL thermal stability, and minimizing resistance x area product for the MTJ. NL is the uppermost layer in a bottom spin valve configuration, or is formed on a seed layer in a top spin valve configuration such that L2 and L1 are always between NL and the FL or pinned layer, respectively. In other embodiments, one or both of L1 and L2 are partially oxidized. Moreover, either L2 or L1 may be omitted when the other of L1 and L2 is partially oxidized. A spacer between the FL and L2 is optional.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.