Magnetic random access memory with perpendicular enhancement layer
First Claim
1. A magnetic memory element comprising:
- a magnetic free layer structure including one or more magnetic free layers that have a same variable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof;
an insulating tunnel junction layer formed adjacent to said magnetic free layer structure;
a magnetic reference layer structure including a first magnetic reference layer formed adjacent to said insulating tunnel junction layer and a second magnetic reference layer separated from said first magnetic reference layer by a non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer, said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first invariable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof;
an iridium layer formed adjacent to said second magnetic reference layer opposite said non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer; and
a magnetic fixed layer structure formed adjacent to said iridium layer opposite said second magnetic reference layer, said magnetic fixed layer structure having a second invariable magnetization direction that is substantially perpendicular to a layer plane thereof and is substantially opposite to said first invariable magnetization direction,wherein said first and second magnetic reference layers have different compositions.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a magnetic memory element including a magnetic free layer structure having a variable magnetization direction perpendicular to a layer plane thereof; a non-magnetic metal layer formed adjacent to the magnetic free layer structure; an oxide layer formed adjacent to the non-magnetic metal layer; an insulating tunnel junction layer formed adjacent to the magnetic free layer structure opposite the non-magnetic metal layer; a first magnetic reference layer formed adjacent to the insulating tunnel junction layer; a second magnetic reference layer separated from the first magnetic reference layer by a perpendicular enhancement layer; an antiferromagnetic coupling layer formed adjacent to the second magnetic reference layer; and a magnetic fixed layer structure formed adjacent to the antiferromagnetic coupling layer. The first and second magnetic reference layers have a first invariable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof. The magnetic fixed layer structure has a second invariable magnetization direction substantially opposite to the first invariable magnetization direction.
19 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A magnetic memory element comprising:
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a magnetic free layer structure including one or more magnetic free layers that have a same variable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; an insulating tunnel junction layer formed adjacent to said magnetic free layer structure; a magnetic reference layer structure including a first magnetic reference layer formed adjacent to said insulating tunnel junction layer and a second magnetic reference layer separated from said first magnetic reference layer by a non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer, said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first invariable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; an iridium layer formed adjacent to said second magnetic reference layer opposite said non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer; and a magnetic fixed layer structure formed adjacent to said iridium layer opposite said second magnetic reference layer, said magnetic fixed layer structure having a second invariable magnetization direction that is substantially perpendicular to a layer plane thereof and is substantially opposite to said first invariable magnetization direction, wherein said first and second magnetic reference layers have different compositions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A magnetic memory element comprising:
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a magnetic free layer structure including one or more magnetic free layers that have a same variable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; an insulating tunnel junction layer formed adjacent to said magnetic free layer structure; a magnetic reference layer structure including a first magnetic reference layer formed adjacent to said insulating tunnel junction layer and a second magnetic reference layer separated from said first magnetic reference layer by a non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer, said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first invariable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer formed adjacent to said second magnetic reference layer opposite said non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer; a magnetic fixed layer structure formed adjacent to said anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer opposite said second magnetic reference layer, said magnetic fixed layer structure having a second invariable magnetization direction that is substantially perpendicular to a layer plane thereof and is substantially opposite to said first invariable magnetization direction; a non-magnetic metal layer formed adjacent to said magnetic free layer structure opposite said insulating tunnel junction layer; and an oxide layer formed adjacent to said non-magnetic metal layer opposite said magnetic free layer structure. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification