Magnetic Materials with High Stability and Low Power for Random Access Memory Applications

Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) that can be stable, uses low power for writing the information and scalable (can be used for many generations) are desirable. In this project, we will investigate new structures which can provides high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy Ku and low damping constant a. The first parameter is related to thermal stability of the recorded bit while the second one is related to the magnetization dynamics which itself affects the writing current and scalability. A deep understanding of materials growth in atomic level is necessary in order to optimize the crystallographic structure and intrinsic magnetic and electrical properties. First, as materials of choice, Fe/Pt and Co/Pt superlattices will be studied with the objective to optimize Ku to values larger than 6 andacute;106 erg/cm3. This value is larger than commonly used materials with Ku could not exceed 3 andacute;106 erg/cm3. Secondly, a combination of superlattice with other ferromagnetic materials will be investigated for low a. These new materials are of great importance for future MRAM and other spintronic devices.