Abstract
Large zero-bias resistance anomalies as well as a collapse of magnetoresistance were observed in Co/Al2O3/Co magnetic tunnel junctions with thin Cr interfacial layers. The tunnel magnetoresistance decays exponentially with nominal Cr interlayer thickness with a length scale of ~1 Å more than twice as fast as for Cu interlayers. The strong suppression of magnetoresistance, as well as the zero-bias anomalies, can be understood by considering a strong spin-dependent modification of the density of states at Co/Cr interfaces. The role of the interfacial density of states is shown by the use of specially engineered structures. Similar effects are predicted and observed in junctions with Ru interfacial layers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1066-1069 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physical Review Letters |
| Volume | 86 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |