MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT, MAGNETIC MEMORY, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT
First Claim
1. A magnetoresistive element comprising:
- a first magnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and a variable magnetization direction;
a second magnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and an invariable magnetization direction;
a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; and
a conductive layer formed on a surface of the first magnetic layer, which is opposite to a surface on which the first nonmagnetic layer is formed,wherein the first magnetic layer has a structure obtained by alternately laminating a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material, the nonmagnetic material includes at least one element from among Ta, W, Nb, Mo, Zr and Hf, the magnetic material includes Co and Fe, one of the magnetic materials contacts the first nonmagnetic layer, and one of the nonmagnetic materials contacts the conductive layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes first and second magnetic layers, a first nonmagnetic layer, a conductive layer. The first and second magnetic layers have axes of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane. The first and second magnetic layers have variable and invariable magnetization directions, respectively. The first nonmagnetic layer is between the first and second magnetic layers. The conductive layer is on a surface of the first magnetic layer opposite to a surface on which the first nonmagnetic layer is formed. The first magnetic layer has a structure obtained by alternately laminating magnetic and nonmagnetic materials. The nonmagnetic material includes at least one of Ta, W, Nb, Mo, Zr, Hf. The magnetic material includes Co and Fe. One of the magnetic materials contacts the first nonmagnetic layer. One of the nonmagnetic materials contacts the conductive layer.
15 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A magnetoresistive element comprising:
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a first magnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and a variable magnetization direction; a second magnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and an invariable magnetization direction; a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; and a conductive layer formed on a surface of the first magnetic layer, which is opposite to a surface on which the first nonmagnetic layer is formed, wherein the first magnetic layer has a structure obtained by alternately laminating a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material, the nonmagnetic material includes at least one element from among Ta, W, Nb, Mo, Zr and Hf, the magnetic material includes Co and Fe, one of the magnetic materials contacts the first nonmagnetic layer, and one of the nonmagnetic materials contacts the conductive layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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5. The magnetoresistive element according to claim wherein the first magnetic layer has a structure in which a magnetic material, a nonmagnetic material, a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material are laminated in this order between the first nonmagnetic layer and the conductive layer from the first nonmagnetic layer side.
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11. The magnetoresistive element according to claim further comprising
a cap layer formed on a surface of the second magnetic layer, which is opposite to a surface on which the first nonmagnetic layer is formed.
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18. A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive element comprising:
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forming a first nonmagnetic material; forming a first magnetic material on the first nonmagnetic material; forming a second nonmagnetic material on the first magnetic material; forming a second magnetic material on the second nonmagnetic material; forming a nonmagnetic layer on the second magnetic material; forming a magnetic layer on the nonmagnetic layer; and performing a thermal processing after forming the magnetic layer, wherein after the thermal processing, the first magnetic material not contacting the nonmagnetic layer and the second nonmagnetic material have an amorphous state. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification