Modulation of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in CoFeB/MgO structure by an application of biaxial tensile strain

The application of %-order biaxial tensile strain can control the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in a CoFeB/MgO system deposited on a flexible substrate. A magnetic anisotropy switch from perpendicular to in-plane was observed when increasing the strain. The reversibility of the anisotropy change has been confirmed. The mechanism of the anisotropy change was discussed based on the strain-induced modulation of the bulk and CoFeB/MgO interfacial anisotropies, which is the origin of the PMA in the system.