X-Ray Absorption and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Studies of Co$_{2}$ FeAl in Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

The bulk magnetic moment and the element specific magnetic moment of Co
₂
FeAl thin films were examined as a function of annealing temperature by alternating gradient magnetometer (AGM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)/X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), respectively. A high magnetic moment can be achieved for all annealing temperatures and the predicted bulk and interface magnetic moment of about 5 ¿
_B
are reached via heating. We will also present tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) values of up to 153% at room temperature and 260% at 13 K for MgO based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with Co
₂
FeAl and Co-Fe electrodes.