Computational modelling and scanning transmission electron microscopy of Fe/MgO magnetic tunnel junctions

DIPC Seminars

Speaker

Jonathan Bean, University of York, UK

When

2017/10/17
14:00

Place

Donostia International Physics Center

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**Computational modelling and scanning transmission electron microscopy of Fe/MgO magnetic tunnel junctions** ** ** J. J. Bean1,*, M. Saito2,3, S. Fukami4,5,6,7, H. Sato5,6,7, S. Ikeda5,6,7, H. Ohno3,4,5,6,7, Y. Ikuhara2,3 & Keith P. McKenna1 (1) Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, North Yorkshire, YO10 5DD,UK. (2) Institute of Engineering Innovation, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. (3) Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan. (4) Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan. (5) Center for Spintronics Integrated Systems, Tohoku University, 2- 1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan. (6) Center for Innovative Integrated Electronic Systems, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0845, Japan. (7) Center for Spintronics Research Network, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan. *e-mail: [jonathan.bean@york.ac.uk](mailto:jonathan.bean@york.ac.uk) _Keywords:_ ****_STEM, DFT, MTJs, Grain boundaries_ The crystal structure of thin film devices is known to be polycrystalline however, the exact geometric and electronic atomic structure at the grain boundaries is not known or understood. Here we show plan view samples of an MgO layer in a magnetic tunnel junction device which has been imaged using scanning transmission electron microscopy. First principles calculations have been performed on model structural units found in the films to understand the effect of the grain boundary structure on the electronic properties. Further to understanding the atomically resolved structure of the MgO films it is possible to investigate the impact of other defects such as oxygen vacancies using first principles calculations. **References** [1] Bean, J. J. _et. al._ (2017). Scientific Reports, 7(January), 45594. [https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45594](https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45594)