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Diffusion based degradation mechanisms in giant magnetoresistive spin valves

Spin valve systems based on the giant magnetoresistive effect as used, for example, in hard disks and automotive applications consist of several functional metallic thin film layers. We have identified by secondary ion mass spectrometry two main degradation mechanisms: one is related to oxygen diffu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 2008-07, Vol.93 (1)
Main Authors: Hawraneck, Matthias, Zimmer, Jürgen, Raberg, Wolfgang, Prügl, Klemens, Schmitt, Stephan, Bever, Thomas, Flege, Stefan, Alff, Lambert
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Spin valve systems based on the giant magnetoresistive effect as used, for example, in hard disks and automotive applications consist of several functional metallic thin film layers. We have identified by secondary ion mass spectrometry two main degradation mechanisms: one is related to oxygen diffusion through a protective cap layer and the other one is interdiffusion directly at the functional layers of the giant magnetoresistive stack. By choosing a suitable material as cap layer (TaN), the oxidation effect can be suppressed.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.2956394