Berlin 2008 – scientific programme
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MA: Fachverband Magnetismus
MA 32: Postersession II: Spinstruct./Phase Trans. (1-10); Spinelectronics (11-15); Thin Films (16 - 36); Particles/Clusters (37-45); Multiferroics (46-54); Spindynamics/Spin Torque (55 - 76); Post Deadlines (77-79)
MA 32.34: Poster
Friday, February 29, 2008, 11:15–14:00, Poster E
Thermal stability of GMR stack systems: Influence of the cap layer — •Matthias Hawraneck1,2, Jürgen Zimmer1, Wolfgang Raberg1, Klemens Prügl1, Thomas Bever1, Stefan Flege2, and Lambert Alff2 — 1Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1-12, 85579 Neubiberg — 2Institut für Materialwissenschaft, TU Darmstadt, Petersenstr. 23, 64287 Darmstadt
In a wide range of applications GMR stack systems can be used as magnetic field sensors. For these applications, like angle und speed sensing, a stable magnetic behavior is a crucial criterion. For unstructured GMR stacks two degradation effects can be considered: First interlayer diffusion within the stack, and second the influence of the environment on the stack. To evaluate the impact of the environment on the GMR stack, especially bottom-pinned spin-valves (SV), we focused on the influence of the cap layer on the thermal stability. From our studies, we conclude that a TaN cap layer acts as an effective diffusion barrier for oxygen, which means it is preventing effectively the GMR stack from being oxidized.