Abstract
Rare-earth-transition metal (RE-TM) alloy films, such as TbFeCo and GdFeCo layers were used as perpendicularly magnetized layers for pinned and free layers in a perpendicular magnetic tunneling junction (p-MTJ). (100) oriented MgO tunneling barrier layer can be deposited on (100) oriented Fe (and FeCo) buffer layers. The (100) texture of the Fe (and FeCo) layers were enhanced by depositing them on the RE-TM layers. X-ray diffraction study clarified that MgO layers deposited on the Fe (and FeCo) layers revealed apparent (100) orientation at the early stage of the film growth. 3nm-thick MgO layer deposited on GdFeCo(100nm)/Fe(3nm) exhibited (100) texture.
