Development of an all-nitride magnetic tunnel junction

We are developing an all-nitride magnetic tunnel junction. Here, we report on the growth and properties of gamma'-Fe4N, alpha"-Fe16N2 and Cu3N. Epitaxial gamma'-Fe4N films were grown by molecular beam epitaxy of iron in the presence of atomic nitrogen from an RF atomic source. Layers of Cu3N were grown in a similar fashion. The alpha"-Fe16N2 phase was synthesized by nitriding epitaxial iron layers. Up to now, Cu3N and alpha"-Fe16N2 were not obtained as pure phases. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.