Detection of sub-nano-tesla magnetic field by integrated magnetic tunnel junctions with bottom synthetic antiferro-coupled free layer

Arrays of 100 × 100 magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) connected in parallel and series were fabricated. A synthetic antiferro-coupled bottom free layer with a NiFe/Ru/CoFeB structure and MgO tunneling barrier were used to realize a high sensitivity, which is defined as TMR/2H_k, where, TMR is the tunneling magnetoresistance ratio and H_kis the magnetic anisotropy field of the free layer. To obtain a linear response of tunneling resistance against an applied external magnetic field, a double annealing process was carried out. From R-H curve measurements, the sensitivity of the 100 × 100 integrated MTJs was lower (8%/Oe) than that of a single MTJ (25%/Oe). However, a 1/30 decrease in noise power density was realized in the integrated MTJs. Consequently, a very small magnetic field of 0.29 nT was detected with the integrated MTJs.