Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications

Abstract Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) exhibit a great profusion of unique functional properties, such as nonvolatility, scalability, high endurance, and low power consumption. For this reason, they have been widely investigated in spin‐based logic and memory devices. Compared with conventional i...

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Main Authors: Xupeng Zhao, Jianhua Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2022-12-01
Series:Advanced Materials Interfaces
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201606
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author Xupeng Zhao
Jianhua Zhao
author_facet Xupeng Zhao
Jianhua Zhao
author_sort Xupeng Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) exhibit a great profusion of unique functional properties, such as nonvolatility, scalability, high endurance, and low power consumption. For this reason, they have been widely investigated in spin‐based logic and memory devices. Compared with conventional in‐plane MTJs, perpendicular MTJs (pMTJs) enable lower critical switching current and higher integration density. So far, CoFeB/MgO structures with interface‐induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) are the most common ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes in pMTJs, whereas their relatively weak interfacial PMA restricts further development of device nodes. In the past decade, perpendicularly magnetized MnxGa binary alloys, including FM L10‐MnGa and ferrimagnetic D022‐Mn3Ga, have drawn intense attention for serving as a promising magnetic electrode in various MTJ stacking structures because of their large PMA, high spin polarization, and small magnetic damping constant. From an application perspective, MTJs with ultrathin MnxGa electrode show merits in developing high‐density magnetic memory, high‐frequency spin‐torque oscillators, and tunneling magnetoresistance effect‐based high‐field sensors. Herein, the aim is to provide a comprehensive review of recent progress in perpendicularly magnetized MnxGa‐based MTJs. The conclusions and future prospects are also given to inspire more in‐depth research and advance the practical applications.
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spelling doaj.art-6dff0490d18d4dae9f32b8cb918b74e82023-08-31T08:56:15ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Materials Interfaces2196-73502022-12-01936n/an/a10.1002/admi.202201606Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential ApplicationsXupeng Zhao0Jianhua Zhao1International School of Microelectronics Dongguan University of Technology Dongguan 523808 ChinaState Key Laboratory of Superlattices and Microstructures Institute of Semiconductors Chinese Academy of Sciences P. O. Box 912 Beijing 100083 ChinaAbstract Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) exhibit a great profusion of unique functional properties, such as nonvolatility, scalability, high endurance, and low power consumption. For this reason, they have been widely investigated in spin‐based logic and memory devices. Compared with conventional in‐plane MTJs, perpendicular MTJs (pMTJs) enable lower critical switching current and higher integration density. So far, CoFeB/MgO structures with interface‐induced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) are the most common ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes in pMTJs, whereas their relatively weak interfacial PMA restricts further development of device nodes. In the past decade, perpendicularly magnetized MnxGa binary alloys, including FM L10‐MnGa and ferrimagnetic D022‐Mn3Ga, have drawn intense attention for serving as a promising magnetic electrode in various MTJ stacking structures because of their large PMA, high spin polarization, and small magnetic damping constant. From an application perspective, MTJs with ultrathin MnxGa electrode show merits in developing high‐density magnetic memory, high‐frequency spin‐torque oscillators, and tunneling magnetoresistance effect‐based high‐field sensors. Herein, the aim is to provide a comprehensive review of recent progress in perpendicularly magnetized MnxGa‐based MTJs. The conclusions and future prospects are also given to inspire more in‐depth research and advance the practical applications.https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201606magnetic tunnel junctionsMn xGaperpendicular magnetic anisotropythin filmstunneling magnetoresistance
spellingShingle Xupeng Zhao
Jianhua Zhao
Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications
Advanced Materials Interfaces
magnetic tunnel junctions
Mn xGa
perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
thin films
tunneling magnetoresistance
title Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications
title_full Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications
title_fullStr Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications
title_full_unstemmed Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications
title_short Perpendicularly Magnetized MnxGa‐Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions: Materials, Mechanisms, Performances, and Potential Applications
title_sort perpendicularly magnetized mnxga based magnetic tunnel junctions materials mechanisms performances and potential applications
topic magnetic tunnel junctions
Mn xGa
perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
thin films
tunneling magnetoresistance
url https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201606
work_keys_str_mv AT xupengzhao perpendicularlymagnetizedmnxgabasedmagnetictunneljunctionsmaterialsmechanismsperformancesandpotentialapplications
AT jianhuazhao perpendicularlymagnetizedmnxgabasedmagnetictunneljunctionsmaterialsmechanismsperformancesandpotentialapplications