Abstract
Magnetoresistive read heads based on giant magnetoresistance spin-valves or magnetic tunnel junctions have been widely used in magnetic recording. In the fabrication of these nano structures, the surface roughness is crucial to the performance of the devices, both electrically and magnetically. In this work, we theoretically study the effect of roughness and pinholes in magnetic tunnel junctions and nanowire systems. Results are compared to experiment.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 702-708 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Magnetics |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 3 PART 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2010 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under award No. ECS-0621868. The authors are grateful for resources from the University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.
Copyright:
Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Index Terms-Magnetic tunnel junction
- Magnetoresistive read head
- Nanowire
- Surface roughness