Observation and analysis of breakdown of magnetic tunnel junctions

Authors
Oepts, W Verhagen, HJ de Mooij, DB Zieren, V Coehoorn, R de Jonge, WJM
Citation
W. Oepts et al., Observation and analysis of breakdown of magnetic tunnel junctions, J MAGN MAGN, 199, 1999, pp. 164-166
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science
Journal title
JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS
ISSN journal
03048853 → ACNP
Volume
199
Year of publication
1999
Pages
164 - 166
Database
ISI
SICI code
0304-8853(199906)199:<164:OAAOBO>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
At voltages larger than 1.2 V Co/Al2O3/Co(-Fe) magnetic tunnel junctions sh ow almost immediate breakdown, leading to a decrease in (magneto) resistanc e. The position of the shorts formed is visualized by making use of a liqui d crystal film on top of the junction. The breakdown voltages of a series o f nominally identical junctions measured in a voltage-ramp experiment incre ased with larger ramp rate. The extrapolated lifetime, at lower voltages, i s evaluated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.