Magnetic random access memory element having tantalum perpendicular enhancement layer
First Claim
1. A magnetic random access memory device comprising a plurality of memory elements, each of said memory elements including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure in between a non-magnetic seed layer and a non-magnetic cap layer, said MTJ structure comprising a magnetic free layer structure and a magnetic reference layer structure with an insulating tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, wherein said magnetic reference layer structure includes 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 first non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer with said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first fixed magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof, said magnetic free layer structure includes two magnetic free layers with a second non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer interposed therebetween, said two magnetic free layers having variable magnetization directions that are substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof and are parallel to each other.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a spin transfer torque (STT) MRAM device having a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory element. The memory element includes a perpendicular MTJ structure in between a non-magnetic seed layer and a non-magnetic cap layer. The MTJ structure comprises a magnetic free layer structure and a magnetic reference layer structure with an insulating tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer formed adjacent to the magnetic reference layer structure, and a magnetic fixed layer formed adjacent to the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer. At least one of the magnetic free and reference layer structures includes a non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer, which improves the perpendicular anisotropy of magnetic layers adjacent thereto.
-
Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A magnetic random access memory device comprising a plurality of memory elements, each of said memory elements including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure in between a non-magnetic seed layer and a non-magnetic cap layer, said MTJ structure comprising a magnetic free layer structure and a magnetic reference layer structure with an insulating tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, wherein said magnetic reference layer structure includes 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 first non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer with said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first fixed magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof, said magnetic free layer structure includes two magnetic free layers with a second non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer interposed therebetween, said two magnetic free layers having variable magnetization directions that are substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof and are parallel to each other.
-
18. A magnetic random access memory device comprising a plurality of memory elements, each of said memory elements including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure in between a non-magnetic seed layer and a non-magnetic cap layer, said MTJ structure comprising:
-
a magnetic free layer structure and a magnetic reference layer structure with an insulating tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, said 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 first non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer with said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first fixed magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof, said magnetic free layer structure including one or more magnetic free layers having a variable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; a tuning layer formed adjacent to said magnetic free layer structure; and a magnetic compensation layer formed adjacent to said tuning layer, said magnetic compensation layer having a second fixed magnetization direction substantially opposite to said first fixed magnetization direction, wherein said tuning layer includes an insulating layer that comprises magnesium and oxygen.
-
-
19. A magnetic random access memory device comprising a plurality of memory elements, each of said memory elements including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure in between a non-magnetic seed layer and a non-magnetic cap layer, said MTJ structure comprising:
-
a magnetic free layer structure and a magnetic reference layer structure with an insulating tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, said 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 first non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer with said first and second magnetic reference layers having a first fixed magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof, said magnetic free layer structure including one or more magnetic free layers having a variable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; a tuning layer formed adjacent to said magnetic free layer structure; and a magnetic compensation layer formed adjacent to said tuning layer, said magnetic compensation layer having a second fixed magnetization direction substantially opposite to said first fixed magnetization direction, wherein said magnetic compensation layer has a multilayer structure formed by interleaving layers of a first material with layers of a second material, at least one of said first and second materials being magnetic. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification