[en] The concept of perpendicular shape anisotropy spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memory (PSA-STT-MRAM) consists of significantly increasing the thickness of the storage layer in STT-MRAM to values comparable to the cell diameter so as to induce a perpendicular shape anisotropy in this layer. This robust source of bulk anisotropy allows us to extend the downsize scalability of STT-MRAM towards a sub-10 nm technological node. However, due to the high aspect ratio of the patterned magnetic tunnel junction pillars, some of them may fall during the etching process or become tilted. To interpret the magnetoresistance loops measured on these PSA-STT-MRAM cells, it is important to know the exact direction of the applied field with respect to the pillar axis. We present here an experimental procedure based on 3D Stoner Wohlfarth astroid analysis which allows us to determine the pillar tilt angle. (paper)

[en] The impact of 400 keV Ar⁺ irradiation on the magnetic and electrical properties of in-plane magnetized magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stacks was investigated by ferromagnetic resonance, vibrating sample magnetometry and current-in-plane tunneling techniques. The ion fluences ranged from ${10}^{12}\text{ c}{\text{m}}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->2}$ to $5\times <!--\; ??\; -->{10}^{15}\text{ c}{\text{m}}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->2}$. Below ${10}^{14}\text{ c}{\text{m}}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->2}$, the anisotropy of the Ta-capped FeCoB free layer was weakly modulated, following a decrease in the saturation magnetization. The tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR), along with the exchange-bias and the interlayer exchange coupling providing a stable magnetic configuration to the reference layer, decreased continuously. Above ${10}^{14}\text{ c}{\text{m}}^{-<!--\; ???\; -->2}$, a strong decrease in the saturation magnetization was accompanied by a loss of the magnetic coupling and of the TMR. We show there is an ion-fluence window where the modulation of magnetic anisotropy can occur while preserving a large TMR and stable magnetic configuration of the MTJ, and demonstrate that the layers surrounding the free layer play a decisive role in determining the trend of the magnetic anisotropy modulation resulting from the irradiation. Our results provide guidance for the tailoring of MTJ parameters via ion irradiation, which we propose as a potentially suitable technique for setting the magnetic easy-cone state in MTJ for attaining field-free, fast, and non-stochastic magnetization switching. (paper)