摘要:
A method for determining a desired anisotropy axis angle for a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device includes selecting a plurality of initial values for the anisotropy axis angle and determining, for each selected initial value, a minimum thickness for at least one ferromagnetic layer of the MRAM device. The minimum thickness corresponds to a predefined activation energy of an individual cell within the MRAM device. For each selected value, a minimum applied magnetic field value in a wordline direction and a bitline direction of the MRAM device is also determined so as maintain the predefined activation energy. For each selected value, an applied power per bit value is calculated, wherein the desired anisotropy axis angle is the selected anisotropy axis angle corresponding to a minimum power per bit value.
摘要:
A memory storage device is provided that includes a storage cell having a changeable magnetic region. The changeable magnetic region includes a material having a magnetization state that is responsive to a change in temperature. The memory storage device also includes a heating element. The heating element is proximate to the storage cell for selectively changing the temperature of the changeable magnetic region of said storage cell. By heating the storage cell via the heating element, as opposed to heating the storage cell by directly applying current thereto, more flexibility is provided in the manufacture of the storage cells.
摘要:
A memory storage device is provided that includes a storage cell having a changeable magnetic region. The changeable magnetic region includes a material having a magnetization state that is responsive to a change in temperature. The memory storage device also includes a heating element. The heating element is proximate to the storage cell for selectively changing the temperature of the changeable magnetic region of said storage cell. By heating the storage cell via the heating element, as opposed to heating the storage cell by directly applying current thereto, more flexibility is provided in the manufacture of the storage cells.
摘要:
A magnetic tunnel junction device is provided that includes a free layer and a pinned layer separated by a barrier layer. According to the invention, the free layer includes a ferrimagnetic layer and an anti-parallel layer having a magnetic moment that is substantially anti-parallel to a magnetic moment of the ferrimagnetic layer at least within a predetermined temperature range of the magnetic tunnel junction device. A memory array that includes such a magnetic tunnel junction is also provided.
摘要:
A memory storage device is provided that includes a storage cell having a changeable magnetic region. The changeable magnetic region includes a material having a magnetization state that is responsive to a change in temperature. The memory storage device also includes a heating element. The heating element is proximate to the storage cell for selectively changing the temperature of the changeable magnetic region of said storage cell. By heating the storage cell via the heating element, as opposed to heating the storage cell by directly applying current thereto, more flexibility is provided in the manufacture of the storage cells.
摘要:
A memory storage device is provided that includes a storage cell having a changeable magnetic region. The changeable magnetic region includes a material having a magnetization state that is responsive to a change in temperature. The memory storage device also includes a heating element. The heating element is proximate to the storage cell for selectively changing the temperature of the changeable magnetic region of said storage cell. By heating the storage cell via the heating element, as opposed to heating the storage cell by directly applying current thereto, more flexibility is provided in the manufacture of the storage cells.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for mapping the character and location of small surface variations on a planar surface. Energy in the form of pulses is supplied to an object in close proximity to the planar surface to thereby raise the temperature of the object and at part of the surface. A change in temperature of the object is detected when it is in proximity to the variation to define the location and character of the variation. By supplying the energy in the form of pulses, the size of the thermal signature produced in the planar surface is limited wherein a more accurate and more sensitive mapping method and apparatus are provided. The energy supply may be thermal energy or optical energy but preferably is electrical energy which heats a resistive element. Preferably, the object is a magnetoresistive head of a disk drive assembly and the surface may be that of a magnetic recording material. The change in temperature is detected by monitoring the resistance of the magnetoresistive coil of the head. It is preferred that the object be positioned with respect to the surface so that when that relative motion between the surface and the object occurs, the object does not contact the surface.
摘要:
The use of ferrimagnetic materials is proposed for use in magnetic devices. Such magnetic devices include magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) which have at least two magnetic layers separated by an insulating barrier layer, wherein at least one of the two magnetic layers is ferrimagnetic. Such MTJ's are used in MRAM (magnetic random access memory) structures. Where the magnetic device is a magnetic sensor, it preferably includes a layer that comprises a ferrimagnetic material separated from another magnetic layer by a barrier layer and the magnetizations of the magnetic layer are oriented at an angle to one another.
摘要:
It is important to ensure good selectivity of a single magnetic tunnel junction storage cell within a memory array without affecting nearby storage cells. For this purpose, this memory array of storage cells preferably comprises a) an array of electrically conducting bit lines and electrically conducting word lines which form intersections therebetween, b) a storage cell disposed at each of said intersections, each storage cell comprising at least one reversible magnetic region or layer characterized by a magnetization state which can be reversed by applying thereto a selected external magnetic field, said reversible magnetic layer comprising a material whose magnetization state is more easily reversed upon a change in the temperature thereof, and c) a temperature change generator for changing the temperature of said reversible magnetic layer of only a selected one of said array of storage cells at any moment. To select a cell, it is preferable to select a cell by using a brief pulse of tunnelling current between the intersecting bit and word lines at that cell in order to provide sufficient Joule heating to facilitate a change in the magnetization state of its reversible magnetic layer, which preferably comprises a ferrimagnetic material.
摘要:
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) includes a magnetic free layer, having a variable magnetization direction; an insulating tunnel barrier located adjacent to the free layer; a magnetic fixed layer having an invariable magnetization direction, the fixed layer disposed adjacent the tunnel barrier such that the tunnel barrier is located between the free layer and the fixed layer, wherein the free layer and the fixed layer have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; and one or more of: a composite fixed layer, the composite fixed layer comprising a dusting layer, a spacer layer, and a reference layer; a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) fixed layer structure, the SAF fixed layer structure comprising a SAF spacer located between the fixed layer and a second fixed magnetic layer; and a dipole layer, wherein the free layer is located between the dipole layer and the tunnel barrier.