PN-II-ID-PCE-2012-4-0028

Abstract

The research project is directed on the study of novel types of magnetic tunnelling junctions (MTJs) based on alkali halides and silver chloride. The magnetic tunnelling junctions from the systems Fe/NaCl-AgCl/Fe, Fe/NaBr/Fe, Fe/NaBr-AgBr/Fe, Fe/LiF/Fe, Fe/LiBr/Fe, M/NaCl/M and M/NaBr/M where M is a transition metal or an alloy as FeCo, FeNi or Co₂MnSi will be considered. The studies involve determination of more stable interface structure, layer resolved charge transfer and magnetic moments, layer and atom resolved DOS, exchange coupling in heterostructures, FM and AFM conductances as function of spacer and electrode thickness, k_||-resolved conductances of FM and AFM states and tunnelling magnetoresistances. The our preliminary results evidenced TMR ratio of 3000% in Fe/AgCl/Fe system and even more high in Fe/NaCl/Fe MTJ. The studies will contribute to development of new types of TMJs with possible high performances, i.e., high TMR ratios and low resistances, and can also direct the experimental researches in obtaining devices with feasible technical applications. The physical properties of materials having possible utilizations in MTJ will be also studied.

Keywords: magnetic tunnel junctions, tunnelling magnetoresistance, magnetic properties

Objectives

Project aims the theoretical study of new types of magnetic junctions tunnel barriers on alkaline halides or alkaline-earth system having large magnetoresistance.