Characterisation of an ultra-thin multilayer structure for spintronic materials

We report on the synthesis of magnetic tunnel junctions using pulsed laser deposition. High resolution transmission electron microscope images of the multi-layer hetero-structures portray continuous thin films, with abrupt and flat interfaces of a few nanometers in thickness. Energy filtered transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy line scans were used to assess elemental profiles and confirm the successful synthesis of an ultra-thin tunnel junction.