MAGNETIC STACK HAVING ASSIST LAYER
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic tunnel junction comprising:
- a ferromagnetic free layer and a first ferromagnetic pinned reference layer, each having an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and an out-of-plane magnetization orientation, the ferromagnetic free layer magnetization orientation switchable by spin torque;
a first oxide barrier layer between the free layer and the reference layer; and
a ferromagnetic spin polarizing assist layer having low magnetic anisotropy less than 700 Oe and positioned to apply a magnetic field on the free layer.
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Abstract
A magnetic tunnel junction having a ferromagnetic free layer and a ferromagnetic pinned reference layer, each having an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and an out-of-plane magnetization orientation, the ferromagnetic free layer switchable by spin torque. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a ferromagnetic assist layer proximate the free layer, the assist layer having a low magnetic anisotropy less than 700 Oe and positioned to apply a magnetic field on the free layer.
168 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A magnetic tunnel junction comprising:
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a ferromagnetic free layer and a first ferromagnetic pinned reference layer, each having an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and an out-of-plane magnetization orientation, the ferromagnetic free layer magnetization orientation switchable by spin torque; a first oxide barrier layer between the free layer and the reference layer; and a ferromagnetic spin polarizing assist layer having low magnetic anisotropy less than 700 Oe and positioned to apply a magnetic field on the free layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
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- 6. The magnetic tunnel junction of claim 6 further comprising a second pinned reference layer having an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and an out-of-plane magnetization orientation, the assist layer positioned between the free layer and the second reference layer.
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14. A magnetic cell on a substrate, the memory cell comprising:
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a ferromagnetic free layer having an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and an out-of-plane magnetization orientation switchable by spin torque; a first ferromagnetic pinned reference layer having an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and an out-of-plane magnetization orientation; an oxide barrier layer between the free layer and the first reference layer; and a ferromagnetic assist stack proximate the free layer having low magnetic anisotropy, the assist stack comprising an assist layer having a magnetic moment less than about 1000 emu/cc and a magnetization orientation that upon application of current through the assist layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of writing to a memory cell comprising:
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passing a current through a memory cell comprising a free layer and a reference layer, each having an out-of-plane anisotropy and magnetization orientation, the current having an electron flow direction; rotating a magnetization orientation of an assist layer proximate the free layer with the current, the assist layer having a magnetic anisotropy less than 700 Oe and the assist layer applies a magnetic field on the free layer; and orienting the magnetization orientation of the free layer in the electron flow direction with the assistance of the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification