2011 年 32 巻 3 号 p. 145-151
Electrons convey not only an electric charge but also a magnetic charge. Spintronics aims to achieve electronic devices with new capabilities by using both the charge and spin of electrons in solids. This area is now developing with advances in surface science. With the reduction of junction sizes into nanometer-scale, it has become impossible to improve spintronic devices without the investigation of surface/interface structures. In this article, our studies on exploration of correlation between surface/interface structures in magnetic tunnel junctions yielding high tunnel magnetoresistance ratio and their magneto-transport properties by using a scanning tunneling microscopy are presented. Then, recent studies on development of new ordered alloys with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by using a monoatomic alternative deposition technique are introduced topically.