摘要:
A multi-state current-switching magnetic memory element has a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ), for storing more than one bit of information. The MTJ includes a fixed layer, a barrier layer, and a non-uniform free layer. In one embodiment, having 2 bits per cell, when one of four different levels of current is applied to the memory element, the applied current causes the non-uniform free layer of the MTJ to switch to one of four different magnetic states. The broad switching current distribution of the MTJ is a result of the broad grain size distribution of the non-uniform free layer.
摘要:
A method of forming a uniform thickness layer of a selected material on a surface of a substrate comprises steps of: (a) providing a multi-stage cathode sputtering apparatus comprising a group of spaced-apart cathode/target assemblies and a means for transporting at least one substrate/workpiece past each cathode/target assembly, each cathode/target assembly comprising a sputtering surface oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate during transport past the group of cathode/target assemblies, the group of cathode/target assemblies adapted for providing different angular sputtered film thickness profiles; and (b) transporting the substrate past each cathode/target assembly while providing different sputtered film thickness profiles from at least some of the cathode/target assemblies, such that a plurality of sub-layers is deposited on the surface of the substrate/workpiece which collectively form a uniform thickness layer of the selected material.
摘要:
One embodiment of the present invention includes multi-state current-switching magnetic memory element including a stack of two or more magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs), each MTJ having a free layer and being separated from other MTJs in the stack by a seeding layer formed upon an isolation layer, the stack for storing more than one bit of information, wherein different levels of current applied to the memory element causes switching to different states.
摘要:
One embodiment of the present invention includes a non-uniform switching based non-volatile magnetic memory element including a fixed layer, a barrier layer formed on top of the fixed layer, a first free layer formed on top of the barrier layer, a non-uniform switching layer (NSL) formed on top of the first free layer, and a second free layer formed on top of the non-uniform switching layer, wherein switching current is applied, in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the fixed, barrier, first free, non-uniform and the second free layers causing switching between states of the first, second free and non-uniform layers with substantially reduced switching current.
摘要:
One embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-state current-switching magnetic memory element having a stack of magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) separated by a non-magnetic layer for storing more than one bit of information, wherein different levels of current applied to the memory element cause switching to different states.
摘要:
A low noise, high areal recording density, perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises: (a) a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and (b) a layer stack formed over the substrate surface, the layer stack comprising, in overlying sequence from the substrate surface: (i) a magnetically soft underlayer; (ii) at least one non-magnetic interlayer; and (iii) a CoCr-based, magnetically hard perpendicular recording layer; wherein the compositions of the at least one non-magnetic interlayer and the CoCr-based, magnetically hard perpendicular recording layer are selected to provide the medium with a negative nucleation field Hn, remanent squareness of about 1, and high coercivity of at least about 5,000 Oe. A method for manufacturing the medium by means of DC magnetron sputtering of layers (i)-(iii) is also disclosed.
摘要:
A high-saturation magnetization composite soft magnetic film can be deposited by magnetron co-sputtering of two or more kinds of materials using targets which have a lower saturation magnetization than that of a single target, which otherwise will be used to produce the resulting composite soft magnetic film. The composite film has a substantially uniform composition and thickness.
摘要:
A high areal density magnetic recording medium exhibiting high Hc, high SNR, high S* and substantially isotropic magnetic properties is achieved by depositing a thin seedlayer before depositing the underlayer. Embodiments include heating the seedlayer under vacuum in the presence of residual oxygen to induce appropriate crystalline orientation and surface morphology for nucleation and growth of the underlayer and magnetic layer having substantially isotropic magnetic properties.
摘要:
A new magnetic alloy exhibits high Hc and Ms while exhibiting excellent corrosion resistance, thereby providing ideal physical properties for high density recording applications. Other parameters of the media, such as SNR, PW50, and S are at least maintained, if not also improved. The alloy contains cobalt and up to 10 at. % Ni, up to 20 at. % Pt, up to 10 at. % Ta, up to 10 at. % Ti, and optionally up to 6 at. % B. The ratio of the tantalum to titanium in the alloy is between 3:1 and 1:3. The alloy is deposited by vacuum deposition (typically sputtering) on a similarly deposited non-magnetic alloy under layer. Nitrogen and/or oxygen may be introduced into the alloy during deposition to improve SNR. Other corrosion-resistant thin film alloys may also be obtained by the inclusion of Ta and Ti.