Magnetic phase transitions in Ta/CoFeB/MgO multilayers

International audienceWe study thin films and magnetic tunnel junction nanopillars based on Ta/Co20Fe60B20/MgO multilayers by electrical transport and magnetometry measurements. These measurements suggest that an ultrathin magnetic oxide layer forms at the Co20Fe60B20/MgO interface. At approximately 160 K, the oxide undergoes a phase transition from an insulating antiferromagnet at low temperatures to a conductive weak ferromagnet at high temperatures. This interfacial magnetic oxide is expected to have significant impact on the magnetic properties of CoFeB-based multilayers used in spin torque memories. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC