Spin-transfer based MRAM using angular-dependent selectivity

• US 7,149,106 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Everspin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Rizzo, Nicholas D., Mancoff, Frederick B., Engel, Bradley N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Son T.
• Application Number:
  US10/971,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20060087880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 365/158, 365/171, 365/173
• US Class Current: 365/158
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/161 details concerning the memory cell structure, e.g. the layers of the ferromagnetic memory cell
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1659 Cell access
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1675 Writing or programming circuits or methods

Abstract

A magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) device can be selectively written using spin-transfer reflection mode techniques. Selectivity of a designated MRAM cell within an MRAM array is achieved by the dependence of the spin-transfer switching current on the relative angle between the magnetizations of the polarizer element and the free magnetic element in the MRAM cell. The polarizer element has a variable magnetization that can be altered in response to the application of a current, e.g., a digit line current. When the magnetization of the polarizer element is in the natural default orientation, the data in the MRAM cell is preserved. When the magnetization of the polarizer element is switched, the data in the MRAM cell can be written in response to the application of a relatively low write current.

Claims

1. A magnetic random access memory (“

MRAM”

) device comprising;

a magnetic polarizer having a first variable magnetization;

a conducting digit line configured to provide a digit current that alters an orientation of said first variable magnetization;

a free magnetic element having a second variable magnetization; and

a conducting spacer element between said magnetic polarizer and said free magnetic element.

2. An MRAM device according to claim 1, wherein said free magnetic element is selectively programmed using angular dependence of spin-transfer interaction with said magnetic polarizer.

3. An MRAM device according to claim 1, further comprising a conducting digit line for providing a digit current for switching orientation of said first variable magnetization.

4. An MRAM device according to claim 1, wherein:

said magnetic polarizer comprises a first magnetic easy axis; and

said free magnetic element comprises a second magnetic easy axis orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis.

5. An MRAM device according to claim 4, wherein application of said digit current to said conducting digit line causes orientation of said first variable magnetization to become misaligned with said first magnetic easy axis.

6. An MRAM device according to claim 5, wherein application of said digit current to said conducting digit line causes orientation of said first variable magnetization to become orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis.

7. An MRAM device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fixed magnet element; and

a tunnel barrier element between said free magnetic element and said fixed magnet element.

8. An MRAM device according to claim 1, further comprising a conducting write line for providing a spin-transfer write current to said magnetic polarizer.

9. An MRAM device according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic polarizer comprises:

a first polarizer element having said first variable magnetization and a first magnetic easy axis; and

a second polarizer element having a third variable magnetization and said first magnetic easy axis, said third variable magnetization being anti-parallel to said first variable magnetization in a default condition.

10. An MRAM device according to claim 9, further comprising a conducting digit line for providing a digit current for switching orientation of said third variable magnetization off of said first magnetic easy axis.

11. An MRAM device according to claim 10, wherein said digit current switches orientation of said first variable magnetization and said third variable magnetization such that said first variable magnetization is anti-parallel to said third variable magnetization.

12. A magnetic random access memory (“

MRAM”

) device comprising;

a magnetic polarizer having a first variable magnetization and a first magnetic easy axis that defines a natural orientation of said first variable magnetization;

a free magnetic element having a second variable magnetization and a second magnetic easy axis that defines a natural orientation of said second variable magnetization, said second magnetic easy axis being orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis; and

a conducting spacer element between said magnetic polarizer and said free magnetic element.

13. An MRAM device according to claim 12, wherein the free magnetic element is selectively programmed using angular dependence of spin-transfer interaction with said magnetic polarizer.

14. An MRAM device according to claim 12, further comprising a conductor for providing a current for switching orientation of said first variable magnetization off of said first magnetic easy axis.

15. An MRAM device according to claim 14, wherein application of said current to said conductor switches orientation of said first variable magnetization to become orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis.

16. An MRAM device according to claim 14, further comprising:

a fixed magnet element; and

a tunnel barrier element between said free magnetic element and said liked magnet element.

17. An MRAM device according to claim 14, further comprising a second conductor for providing a spin-transfer write current to said magnetic polarizer.

18. An MRAM device according to claim 14, wherein said magnetic polarizer comprises:

a first polarizer element having said first magnetization and said first magnetic easy axis;

a second polarizer element having a third magnetization and said first magnetic easy axis, said third magnetization being anti-parallel to said first magnetization in a default condition.

19. An MRAM device according to claim 18, wherein said current switches orientation of said third variable magnetization off of said first magnetic easy axis.

20. An MRAM device according to claim 19, wherein said current switches orientation of said first variable magnetization and said third variable magnetization such that said first variable magnetization is anti-parallel to said third variable magnetization.