Dependence of magnetic anisotropy on MgO thickness and buffer layer in Co20Fe60B20-MgO structure

We investigated the dependence of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in CoFeB-MgO on the MgO layer thickness. Magnetization curves show that a clear perpendicular magnetic easy axis is obtainable in a 1.5-nm thick CoFeB layer by depositing MgO of more than three monolayers. We investigated anisotropy in CoFeB-MgO deposited on four different buffer layers. Results show that a counter interface of CoFeB-nonmagnetic metal affects the perpendicular anisotropy of CoFeB/MgO. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3554204]