All-optical switching of magnetization in FeCoB/Ta/[Tb/Co]N electrodes
Dr. Luis Aviles Felix
Laboratorio Resonancias Magnéticas Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología (CNEA – CONICET), Argentina
Since the first observation of all-optical switching of magnetization in GdFeCo using femtosecond laser pulses, there has been significant interest in exploiting this process for data-recording applications. In particular, the ultrafast speed of the magnetic reversal can enable the writing speeds associated with magnetic memory devices to be potentially pushed towards THz frequencies. In this talk I will describe the development of all-optically switchable electrodes consisting of FeCoB/Ta/[Tb/Co]N and its integration within a magnetic tunnel junction. We explored the magnetooptical properties of the electrodes and its thermal stability upon different annealing temperatures, a key step for the enhancement of the performance of a MTJ. Our all-optical switching electrodes were integrated into a perpendicularly magnetized junction and the electrical evaluation of nanopatterned devices showed TMR ratios up to 38% depending on the size of the junctions. These results demonstrate the viability of integrating optically switchable materials into MTJs and still obtaining high TMR values.
References
[1] L. Avilés-Félix, et al. Sci. Rep. 11 6576 (2021)
[2] E. K. Sobolewska, et al Proc. SPIE 11461, Active Photonic Platforms XII, 114612BA (2020).
[3] A. Olivier, L. Avilés-Félix, et al. Nanotechnology 31 425302 (2020)
[4] L. Avilés-Félix, et al. Sci. Rep. 10 5211 (2020).
[5] L. Avilés-Félix, et al. AIP Advances 9 125328 (2019)
