QuantumWise released a new version of their Atomistix ToolKit (ATK) simulation software. The new version speeds up simulation performance by 40%. The new version also includes several new features, including noncollinear spin enables computations of spin transfer torque and other properties of magnetic tunnel junctions.
A sketch of a MgO/CFA p-MTJ
ATK 2014 introduces several new methodology improvements which make noncollinear simulations fast and robust. ATK thus enables studies of transport problems using Non-Equilibrium Greenâs Functions (NEGF) combined with density functional theory (DFT), including spin-orbit interaction and meta-GGA functionals for accurate band gap predictions of the insulating barrier in the MTJ.
QuantumWise also reports that researchers from California and Singapore recently published the first paper that uses ATK for noncollinear calculations. The researchers describe magnetocrystalline anisotropy and switching in magnetic tunnel junctions using ATK with a noncollinear model.
ATK was used for noncollinear calculations for the spin-dependent transport characteristics of Co2FeAl/MgO/Co2FeAl perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs). The calculations show that the structure has an exceptionally high tunnel magnetic resistance (TMR) of 100,000%, and comparisons with collinear simulations show the importance of using the noncollinear formalism for the study. Further calculations reveal good thermal stability of the structure.