Interfacial tuning of magnetic anisotropy for low-power spintronic memory devices

Interfacial engineering of magnetic anisotropy is crucial for the development of low-power spintronic memory devices. In thin-film magnetic heterostructures, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) supports high-density data storage by reducing device dimensions while maintaining thermal stability a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Astha Khandelwal, Suchit Kumar Jena, Lei Wan, Alan Kalitsov, Rajesh Vilas Chopdekar, Derek A. Stewart, Tiffany S. Santos, Bhagwati Prasad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-06-01
Series:APL Materials
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0266867
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Interfacial engineering of magnetic anisotropy is crucial for the development of low-power spintronic memory devices. In thin-film magnetic heterostructures, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) supports high-density data storage by reducing device dimensions while maintaining thermal stability and data retention, whereas voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) facilitates energy-efficient data writing. However, achieving simultaneous optimization of PMA and VCMA is challenging due to their reliance on intricate interfacial parameters and synthesis conditions. This study presents a systematic strategy to modulate spin–orbit coupling (SOC) strength at the CoFeB/MgO interface by incorporating an iridium heavy-metal layer and precisely tuning the thickness of CoFeB and Ir. Through post-deposition annealing, we engineer the SOC to simultaneously enhance PMA and VCMA, addressing critical limitations in the design of voltage-driven magnetoresistive devices. These findings highlight the significance of interfacial tuning in improving the performance and energy efficiency of spintronic memory technologies, paving the way for their integration into next-generation data storage systems.
ISSN:2166-532X