I am making some magnetic tunnel junctions, but I always get the junction shorted. I am not sure whether the quality of MgO is good. Does anyone know how to check the quality of MgO? Such as AFM and XRD? Thanks.
DO AFM for checking out the microstructure. Make sure that it not porous. Secondly, check the breakdown field of MgO. If you apply the electric field higher than that then film resistance becomes very small and it short circuit the device. In that case, you have to increase the thickness of MgO or lower applied voltage. Most important is film porosity must be minimum. Check this out. I hope it will solve your problem.