WO2009098796A1 - 磁気メモリー素子、その駆動方法及び不揮発性記憶装置 - Google Patents
磁気メモリー素子、その駆動方法及び不揮発性記憶装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2009098796A1 WO2009098796A1 PCT/JP2008/065425 JP2008065425W WO2009098796A1 WO 2009098796 A1 WO2009098796 A1 WO 2009098796A1 JP 2008065425 W JP2008065425 W JP 2008065425W WO 2009098796 A1 WO2009098796 A1 WO 2009098796A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- memory element
- pulse
- magnetic memory
- magnetization
- Prior art date
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/02—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements
- G11C11/16—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/02—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements
- G11C11/16—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect
- G11C11/161—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect details concerning the memory cell structure, e.g. the layers of the ferromagnetic memory cell
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/02—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements
- G11C11/16—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect
- G11C11/165—Auxiliary circuits
- G11C11/1659—Cell access
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C11/00—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor
- G11C11/02—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements
- G11C11/16—Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using magnetic elements using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect
- G11C11/165—Auxiliary circuits
- G11C11/1675—Writing or programming circuits or methods
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10B—ELECTRONIC MEMORY DEVICES
- H10B61/00—Magnetic memory devices, e.g. magnetoresistive RAM [MRAM] devices
- H10B61/10—Magnetic memory devices, e.g. magnetoresistive RAM [MRAM] devices comprising components having two electrodes, e.g. diodes or MIM elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N50/00—Galvanomagnetic devices
- H10N50/01—Manufacture or treatment
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N50/00—Galvanomagnetic devices
- H10N50/10—Magnetoresistive devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N50/00—Galvanomagnetic devices
- H10N50/80—Constructional details
- H10N50/85—Magnetic active materials
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a magnetic memory element capable of storing information by electrical means, a driving method thereof, and a nonvolatile memory device.
- Non-volatile semiconductor memory devices In recent years, the capacity of non-volatile semiconductor memory devices represented by flash memory has increased significantly, and the release of products with a capacity of about 32 GB has been announced.
- Non-volatile semiconductor memory devices have increased commercial value, particularly as storage for USB memories and mobile phones.
- the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device takes advantage of the principle advantages of a solid-state memory such as vibration resistance, high reliability, and low power consumption as a storage for a portable music player. It is becoming mainstream as a storage device for electronic or portable electronic devices.
- nonvolatile memory elements As candidates for such next-generation nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices, research and development of nonvolatile memory elements based on various principles such as ferroelectric memory (FeRAM), magnetic memory (MRAM), and phase change memory (PRAM) are conducted. It has been broken. Of these, MRAM is considered promising as a candidate that satisfies the technical specifications for replacing the DRAM.
- the number of rewrites (> 10 16 ) listed in the above technical specifications is a numerical value assumed based on the number of accesses in the case of continuing access for 10 years at 30 ns.
- a refresh cycle is not necessary, so even if it is used for the same purpose as a DRAM, this number of times may not be necessary.
- the MRAM has already cleared the rewrite performance of 10 12 or more, and its switching speed is also high ( ⁇ 10 ns). Therefore, MRAM is considered to be particularly highly feasible compared to other technologies that are candidates for nonvolatile storage devices.
- the main problem of this MRAM is that the cell area is large and the bit cost is accordingly high.
- the MRAM having a small capacity of about 4 Mbit, which is currently commercialized, is a current magnetic field rewritable type and has a cell area of 20 to 30 F 2 (F is the minimum processing dimension of the manufacturing process) or more. That is, the cell area of the commercialized MRAM is too large to be practical as a DRAM replacement technology.
- Two breakthrough technologies are changing the situation.
- One is MTJ (magnetic tunnel junction) using an MgO tunnel insulating film, which is a technique that can easily obtain a magnetoresistance of 200% or more (Non-patent Document 1).
- the other is the current injection magnetization reversal method, which makes it possible to avoid the problem of increasing the reversal magnetic field in a fine cell, which was fatal in the current magnetic field rewrite method, and conversely to reduce the write energy by scaling. It is.
- this current magnetization reversal method it is assumed that the cell area is ideally 1 transistor-1MTJ, so it is assumed to be 6-8F 2 , comparable to DRAM (Non-patent Document 2).
- a 1-diode-1MTJ has been proposed aiming for a small cell area (up to 4F 2 ) similar to a flash memory (Patent Document 1).
- Patent Document 2 There is also a proposal to simplify the circuit and reduce the cell size equivalent to that of a DRAM with a one-transistor-one MTJ circuit (Patent Document 2). This simplification is achieved by reducing the number of transistors from two to one by making the polarity of the current only one in an element provided with a drive layer whose magnetization direction is substantially fixed in the stacking direction.
- the proposal of the above-mentioned 1 diode-1 MTJ performs switching by a current under a forward bias and a reverse bias through the diode. That is, the switching is performed by the current in the forward bias (forward current) and the leakage current in the reverse bias, and the principle of switching by the polarity of the current remains unchanged.
- the diode is originally formed to perform MTJ selection without disturbing in the write, erase and read operations, and the leak current flows not only in the reverse direction but also in the forward direction. Therefore, in the above proposal based on the principle of switching due to the leakage current in the reverse bias, the current of the value used for the switching flows even at the low voltage in the forward bias, and the effect of preventing the disturbance. Becomes insufficient.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a magnetic memory element that can be switched by a unipolar electric pulse and a driving method thereof, thereby surpassing the cell area of a DRAM.
- the object is to provide a non-volatile semiconductor memory device that realizes a cell area of about 4F 2 equivalent to a flash memory.
- the inventors of the present application went back to the operating principle of the current magnetization reversal method and examined the above-mentioned problems to arrive at the invention of the magnetic memory element, the driving method thereof, and the nonvolatile memory device described below.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention has a spin valve structure including a free layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a pinned layer sandwiching the nonmagnetic layer together with the free layer.
- a magnetic memory element that records information by applying an electric pulse between the free layer and the pinned layer wherein the spin valve structure includes a magnetization of the free layer and a magnetization of the pinned layer.
- the pinned layer includes a ferrimagnetic layer including an N-type ferrimagnetic material, and the N-type ferrimagnetic
- the body has a magnetic compensation point T comp in the memory holding operation temperature range of the magnetic memory element.
- the ferrimagnetic layer as described above is included in the free layer.
- the spin valve structure is a structure comprising a magnetic layer (pinned layer) / non-magnetic layer / magnetic layer (free layer), and the pinned layer has a magnetization arrangement reversed by, for example, current injection magnetization reversal compared to the free layer. It is designed to be difficult.
- an antiferromagnetic layer is provided so as to be close to the pinned layer, and the pinned layer is formed by exchange coupling interaction between magnetizations between the pinned layer and the reverberating magnetic layer.
- a method of increasing the effective coercive force of can be used.
- the pinned layer can be made sufficiently thick to make it difficult to change the magnetization, or the magnetic properties of the pinned layer can be different from those of the free layer.
- reading of information is a phenomenon in which the resistance value changes corresponding to the combination of magnetization when the magnetization of the free layer changes relative to the angle made with respect to the magnetization of the pinned layer, That is, the resistance is lowest when the free layer magnetization and the pinned layer magnetization are parallel (parallel arrangement), and the free layer magnetization and the pinned layer magnetization are antiparallel (resistive arrangement). The phenomenon that becomes the highest can be used.
- the nonmagnetic layer plays a role of cutting the magnetic coupling between the magnetic layers (between the pinned layer and the free layer).
- an insulator is used as a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) element.
- GMR giant magnetoresistive
- TMR tunnel magnetoresistive
- the pinned layer does not necessarily have a large coercive force (Hc) or magnetic anisotropy (Ku), but rather has a sufficiently large magnetization (Ms) and is unlikely to cause spin precession. It becomes important.
- the N-type ferrimagnetic material has two types of magnetizations A and B that are antiparallel (for example, in the case of TbFeCo, two types of magnetization are Tb and FeCo), and their temperature dependence is different. It is a substance having a temperature (magnetic compensation point T comp ) at which the above magnetization ( AB ) disappears. The apparent magnetization of the N-type ferrimagnetic material is reversed between the low temperature side and the high temperature side with this magnetic compensation point T comp as a boundary.
- the memory holding operation temperature range is a temperature lower than the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer when a write operation is performed by applying a pulse within the temperature range that the ferrimagnetic layer can take, and is stored by the spin valve element. It indicates the temperature range of the magnetic change layer when it is used to hold the information. For this reason, for example, even if a temperature rise is observed in the magnetic change layer due to a current passed for reading, as long as the temperature at that time is lower than the temperature at the time of the write operation and the memory is retained.
- the temperature is within the memory retention operating temperature range.
- a specific example of this temperature range is, for example, ⁇ 20 ° C. to 150 ° C. This is because the temperature range ( ⁇ 20 ° C.
- the temperature range of the environment where the storage device using the spin valve element of the present invention is used is often assumed as the temperature inside the electronic device is the operation guaranteed temperature range.
- the temperature range that can be indicated by the local spin bubble element in the memory holding operation is ⁇ 20 ° C. to This corresponds to 150 ° C.
- the specific example of the above temperature is merely an example, and the temperature range of the memory holding operation is variously set according to a specific application.
- the magnetic compensation point T comp of the N-type ferrimagnetic material is lower than the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer reached when one write pulse is applied, and another write pulse is applied.
- writing is performed in a state where the apparent magnetization of the ferrimagnetic layer is directed in a desired direction.
- the magnetization combination can be controlled with a simple structure.
- switching by current injection magnetization reversal using a unipolar electric pulse is possible.
- two pulses that write a combination state of two magnetizations corresponding to two different information It can be.
- current injection magnetization reversal can be performed so as to erase the previous state, and a desired magnetization combination state can be realized and used for information recording.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention further includes an additional magnetic layer in which the pinned layer includes a magnetic material having a temperature dependence of magnetization smaller than the temperature dependence of the magnetization of the N-type ferrimagnetic material.
- a magnetic layer is disposed on the nonmagnetic layer side of the pinned layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is on the pinned layer), or is disposed on the nonmagnetic layer side of the free layer ( (When the ferrimagnetic layer is in the free layer).
- the magnitude of the magnetoresistance ratio is determined by the spin polarizability of the magnetic layer that is a free layer or a pinned layer in the vicinity of the nonmagnetic layer interface (about 1 nm). Is assigned to a magnetic layer (additional magnetic layer) having a small temperature dependence, so that the magnetic properties (magnetic compensation points, etc.) of the N-type ferrimagnetic layer can be designed independently of the spin polarizability.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention is characterized in that both the ferrimagnetic layer and the additional magnetic layer are perpendicular magnetization films.
- the magnetization of the additional magnetic layer near the nonmagnetic layer interface can be reversed in accordance with the reversal of the ferrimagnetic layer magnetization at the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material. Become. This is because there is exchange coupling between the ferrimagnetic layer and the additional magnetic layer. Furthermore, since an anisotropic magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the film surface can be used, it is not necessary to provide in-plane anisotropy to the element shape. This eliminates the need for the cell in-plane shape to be rectangular, and has the advantage that the cell size can be reduced.
- any one of the ferrimagnetic layer and the additional magnetic layer is a perpendicular magnetization film, and the other layer is an in-plane magnetization film.
- the magnetization of the additional magnetic layer in the vicinity of the nonmagnetic layer interface can be reversed in accordance with the reversal of the ferrimagnetic layer magnetization at the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material. . This is because the magnetization of the additional magnetic layer has an interaction between the magnetization of the ferrimagnetic layer and the spring magnetism.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention includes magnesium (Mg) between the nonmagnetic layer and the pinned layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is in the free layer) or the free layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is in the pinned layer).
- Mg magnesium
- Al aluminum
- the oxidation of the magnetic metal thin film near the interface can be suppressed. For this reason, the magnetoresistance ratio is unlikely to deteriorate.
- an amorphous alloy film made of a rare earth transition metal is used as the N-type ferrimagnetic material of the ferrimagnetic layer, it is possible to prevent oxidation of the rare earth that is most likely to be oxidized and to suppress deterioration of characteristics.
- the nonmagnetic layer is made of magnesium oxide (MgO)
- the ferrimagnetic layer of the pinned layer is made of a TbFeCo alloy
- the additional magnetic layer of the pinned layer is made of a CoFeB alloy. It is characterized by that.
- a configuration showing a high magnetoresistance ratio can be obtained.
- An example of such a material is an MgO / CoFeB structure that exhibits a magnetoresistance ratio of 100% or more.
- the TbFeCo alloy is an alloy containing terbium (Tb), iron (Fe), and cobalt (Co) at an arbitrary ratio other than 0, and by changing the relative component ratio of each element, the temperature is about room temperature to about 250 ° C. Since it is possible to adjust the magnetic compensation point within a range by continuous composition change, it is easy to adjust the operating conditions. Note that the operating conditions here can be, for example, the electric pulse height and pulse width shown later.
- the TbFeCo alloy is an amorphous material, it does not need to be formed by epitaxial growth or orientation and formed into an orientation film, and the present invention is also applicable to the case where a metal such as Ru or IrMn, an amorphous film, or the like is used as a base.
- the magnetic memory element can be manufactured.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention includes the non-magnetic layer of two surfaces defining the thickness of the pinned layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is in the free layer) or the free layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is in the pinned layer).
- a current confinement structure is provided in the vicinity of the surface on the opposite side of the layer.
- the temperature of the pinned layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is in the free layer) or the free layer (when the ferrimagnetic layer is in the pinned layer) can be efficiently raised when an electric pulse is applied. It becomes possible.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention is characterized in that the magnetization direction of the free layer changes from in-plane to in-plane with increasing temperature.
- the current value necessary for the current injection magnetization reversal can be reduced by the magnetization of the free layer standing from within the plane. Furthermore, since an anisotropic magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the film surface can be used, it is not necessary to provide in-plane anisotropy to the element shape. As a result, it is not necessary to make the cell in-plane shape rectangular, so that the cell size can be reduced.
- the magnetic memory element of the present invention is characterized in that in the magnetic memory element, the free layer is made of a GdFeCo alloy.
- the magnetization direction can be changed from the in-plane to the plane by decreasing the moment of GdFeCo by increasing the temperature.
- a thin magnetic film such as CoFeB on the nonmagnetic interface side. This is because the spin polarizability at the interface can be maintained and the deterioration of the magnetic characteristics due to the oxidation of GdFeCo can be suppressed.
- the present invention can also be implemented as a method for driving a magnetic memory element.
- a driving method of a magnetic memory element having a spin valve structure including a free layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a pinned layer sandwiching the nonmagnetic layer together with the free layer includes an N-type ferrimagnetic material having a magnetic compensation point T comp in a memory holding operation temperature range of the magnetic memory element, and a first write pulse that is an electric pulse is applied to the spin valve structure, A step of bringing the combination of the magnetization of the free layer and the magnetization of the pinned layer after application of the first write pulse into a first combination state; and applying a second write pulse that is an electric pulse to the spin valve structure Then, the step of setting the combination of the magnetization of the free layer and the magnetization of the pinned layer after the application of the second write pulse to the second combination state.
- the magnetization of the pinned layer when the first write pulse is applied and the magnetization of the pinned layer when the second write pulse is applied are in different directions,
- the first and second write pulses have the same polarity.
- a method for driving a magnetic memory element having a spin valve structure including a free layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a pinned layer sandwiching the nonmagnetic layer together with the free layer.
- the free layer includes a ferrimagnetic layer having an N-type ferrimagnetic material having a magnetic compensation point T comp in the memory holding operation temperature range of the magnetic memory element, and the spin valve structure has an electric pulse.
- both the first and second write pulses cause a current to flow from the free layer to the pinned layer, and vice versa.
- the method of flowing is included.
- a phenomenon in which the magnetization of the ferrimagnetic layer is reversed at the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material can be used with the magnetic layer having an N-type ferrimagnetic material. This phenomenon is also caused by the fact that the magnetization of the pinned layer when the first write pulse is applied and the magnetization of the free layer when the second write pulse are applied are in the same direction and record different information. It can also be used to
- the set operation switch from high resistance to low resistance
- the reset operation low resistance to high resistance
- the set operation can be performed when the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer is low with respect to the magnetic compensation point
- the reset operation can be performed when the temperature is high.
- the first write pulse and the second write pulse have different pulse heights.
- one of the first write pulse and the second write pulse is the free layer.
- the pulse having a low resistance and having an amplitude Vp, and the other pulse having a high resistance and the pulse having an amplitude Vap.
- the amplitude Vp is preferably smaller than the amplitude Vap.
- the amplitude Vp is preferably larger than the amplitude Vap.
- either the first or second write pulse required for the set operation (low resistance) is set.
- the amplitude (pulse height) Vp of a portion where the write pulse is present is made smaller (or larger) than the amplitude (pulse height) Vap of the other portion where the write pulse is necessary for the reset operation (high resistance). To do). Therefore, it is possible to directly set or reset the stored information according to the amplitude (pulse height) of the voltage or current. Therefore, writing / erasing of elements (set operation, reset operation) can be processed within the same clock.
- the first write pulse and the second write pulse have different pulse widths, and the information is recorded based on the pulse width. It is characterized by doing.
- One of the first write pulse and the second write pulse is a pulse for reducing the resistance value between the free layer and the pinned layer and has a pulse width ⁇ p, and
- one of the pulses is a pulse that increases the resistance value and has a pulse width ⁇ ap
- the pulse width ⁇ p is smaller than the pulse width ⁇ ap.
- the pulse width ⁇ p is larger than the pulse width ⁇ ap.
- the set operation or the reset operation can be controlled by the pulse width.
- the pulse width ⁇ p required for the set operation (low resistance) is smaller than the pulse width ⁇ ap required for the reset operation (high resistance)
- the stored information is directly set by the pulse width, or It becomes possible to reset. Therefore, writing / erasing (setting, resetting) of the element can be performed without changing the driving current.
- the present invention can reverse the direction of current flow in the embodiment of the driving method.
- Each of the preferred embodiments described above is similarly suitable by a change corresponding to the reversal of the current direction.
- the fact that the direction of the current can be changed in this way makes it possible to operate regardless of the rectifying direction of the diode when, for example, a rectifying element (diode) connected in series is used as the element selection switch.
- the degree of freedom in designing whether the lower part of the spin valve structure is a pinned layer or a free layer, and the rectifying direction of the rectifying element (p-layer n-layer stacking order in the case of a pn diode, semiconductor in the case of a Schottky diode)
- the layer stacking order can be freely selected.
- the present invention can also be implemented as a nonvolatile storage device. That is, a combination of any one of the above-described magnetic memory elements, a rectifying element connected in series with the magnetic memory element, and the magnetization of the free layer and the magnetization of the pinned layer in the spin valve structure of the magnetic memory element is set to the first combination state.
- Information rewriting means and magnetic memory element comprising a memory element and a rectifying element connected in series to the memory element, and performing writing and erasing by the driving method Characterized by comprising a means for reading information stored from the amount of current flowing.
- nonvolatile memory device having the above characteristics, switching can be performed by a unipolar electric pulse, so that a memory cell composed of one diode and 1MTJ can be configured, and a cell area 4F 2 equivalent to that of a flash memory can be realized. Accordingly, since a nonvolatile memory device having high-speed operation and high rewrite frequency performance can be integrated on the substrate at a high density, a high-performance nonvolatile memory device can be provided at low cost.
- the nonvolatile memory device having the magnetic memory element and the driving method thereof according to the present invention can be switched by a unipolar electric pulse, so that a 4F 2 size memory cell composed of one diode and 1 MTJ is formed. It becomes possible. As a result, a low-cost, high-performance, highly integrated nonvolatile memory device can be realized.
- 5A is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between (a) the operating principle during the set operation of the magnetic memory element and (b) the magnetization direction of the pinned layer and the element temperature according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- 1 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic memory element according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed sectional view of free layer / nonmagnetic layer / pinned layer of magnetic memory element according to embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows typically the relationship between the magnetization of GdFeCo used for the free layer of the magnetic memory element which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and temperature.
- 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a free layer / nonmagnetic layer / pinned layer of a magnetic memory element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- 1 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of a cross-point type memory cell array which is an example of a nonvolatile memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Substrate 2 Lower electrode (Cu / Ta) 3, 3 ': Pinned layer 31: TbFeCo / PtMn 32: CoFeB 4: Nonmagnetic layer 41: Mg 42: MgO tunnel insulating film 5, 5 ': Free layer 51: CoFeB 52: GdFeCo 6: Interlayer insulating film (SiO 2 ) 6A: Contact hole 7: Upper electrode (Cu / Ta) 8: Memory cell 9: Rectifying element 100: Non-volatile memory device 110: Word line decoder 120: Bit line decoder
- a magnetic memory element according to the present invention a driving method thereof, and a nonvolatile memory device (hereinafter, abbreviated as “the present element”, “the driving method of the present element”, and “the present apparatus”, respectively).
- the present element a driving method of the present element
- the present apparatus a nonvolatile memory device
- the current injection magnetization reversal method is a method of reversing the magnetization of the free layer depending on the polarity of the current (current direction).
- To make the magnetization of both the free layer and the pinned layer parallel it is realized by flowing current from the free layer side, that is, by injecting spin-polarized electrons from the pinned layer side through the nonmagnetic layer into the free layer.
- a current is passed from the pinned layer side, that is, spin-polarized electrons are injected from the free layer side through the nonmagnetic layer to the pinned layer side.
- the reason for anti-parallel is that only electrons having spins parallel to the magnetization of the pinned layer can be transmitted from the free layer to the nonmagnetic layer, and electrons having spins not parallel to the pinned layer magnetization are It is reflected and accumulated in the free layer, and as a result, the magnetization of the free layer is considered to be antiparallel to the pinned layer. That is, it is a method of injecting electrons so that the angular momentum including the localized spin is preserved.
- the current injection magnetization reversal method based on the principle of the current injection magnetization reversal method, the conditions necessary for making the current polarity when recording information to the spin valve element the same in the set operation and the reset operation (using a unipolar pulse) explain.
- the current injection magnetization reversal methods that have been performed so far have implicitly assumed that the pinned layer or free layer has a constant magnetization arrangement (magnetization direction). Therefore, the current injection magnetization reversal method depends on the polarity of the current. Switching is performed. In order to realize the minimum cell area 4F 2 composed of one diode-1MTJ, a high degree of integration is also required for circuit elements for driving the memory cells.
- the inventor of the present application states that the condition that the magnetization arrangement of the free layer and the pinned layer is constant (this is called the condition of the limited magnetization arrangement) is not an essential configuration of the current injection magnetization reversal method. Focusing on the fact that the conventional current injection magnetization reversal technique has been studied only in the case where a limited magnetization arrangement condition is implicitly assumed, the configuration of the present invention has been found.
- the inventor of the present application can reverse the magnetization of the pinned layer and the magnetization of the free layer by any means, the inventor can perform a switching operation for writing necessary information without inverting the polarity of the current pulse. Noted that it should be possible. Although this is seemingly paradoxical, the point of the present invention lies in this point. What should be considered is that the magnetization of the pinned layer and the free layer can be performed during the required operation (setting or resetting) of writing information to the spin valve element (during set / reset operation) and reading (during playback).
- One aspect for this is to use an N-type ferrimagnetic material for the pinned layer or free layer, and to provide a magnetic compensation point (temperature at which the apparent magnetization is reversed) of the N-type ferrimagnetic material and the N-type ferrimagnetic material.
- This is a mode in which the relationship between the operating temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer having the temperature is appropriately set.
- the magnetic compensation point may be exceeded when the write pulse is applied, and the magnetic compensation point may be equal to or less than the magnetic compensation point in the other case.
- the “set operation” is the operation to operate the magnetic memory element in the low resistance state, that is, the operation to obtain the parallel magnetization arrangement from the arbitrary magnetization arrangement
- the “reset operation” is the high resistance.
- the operation of placing the magnetic memory element in this state that is, the operation of obtaining an antiparallel magnetization arrangement from an arbitrary magnetization arrangement has been described. What kind of magnetization arrangement is assigned to set and reset can be determined arbitrarily, and the explanation of the operation of the present application can be similarly applied even if the terms “set” and “reset” are interchanged in the above and subsequent explanations. Caution must be taken.
- the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer exceeds the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material even if the correspondence between the set operation and the reset operation similar to the above is maintained.
- This can be a set operation or a reset operation.
- the case where the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer exceeds the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material during the reset operation will be described first, and the reverse case will be described last.
- the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer exceeds the magnetic compensation point during the reset operation, and after the reset operation is completed, the magnetic compensation point is exceeded. It only has to be lower. Since an element used for current injection magnetization reversal has a junction area smaller than, for example, 100 nm ⁇ 200 nm from the viewpoint of integration, the temperature of the element inevitably rises when an electric pulse is applied during switching. By actively using this temperature rise and introducing a new design parameter called temperature into the operating principle defined by the polarity of the current, switching by unipolar electric pulses becomes possible.
- the setting operation that is, the operation for making the magnetization arrangement of the pinned layer and the free layer parallel
- FIGS. 3A and 3A when a positive current (pulse) is applied from the free layer 5 side, they become parallel as in the prior art (FIGS. 3A and 2).
- this positive current pulse is a write pulse used so that the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer does not reach the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material.
- This set operation is the same whether the ferrimagnetic layer is a pinned layer or a free layer.
- FIGS. 1A and 1A show before the temperature rises, and FIGS. 1A and 1B show the state after the temperature rises.
- the magnetization direction of the pinned layer 3 is reversed as seen from the direction below the magnetic compensation point as shown in FIG. This is the nature of the N-type ferrimagnetic material. Since current continues to flow, next, current injection magnetization reversal is performed in this state, that is, at a temperature equal to or higher than the magnetic compensation point. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the magnetization of the free layer 5 is arranged in parallel with the reversed magnetization of the pinned layer 3.
- the current pulse is turned off, the current injection magnetization reversal operation is first completed by stopping the current injection, and then the temperature of the pinned layer is cooled below the magnetic compensation point, and the temperature of the pinned layer is lowered below the magnetic compensation point. .
- FIGS. 1B and 1B show the magnetization arrangement before the current pulse is applied.
- the reset operation is performed by a pulse that causes the temperature of the ferrimagnetic layer to be equal to or higher than the magnetic compensation point. Can be performed.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic memory element according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a detailed laminated film structure related to the spin valve structure.
- a lower electrode 2 (Cu / Ta) and a pinned layer 3 (CoFeB (reference numeral 31) / TbFeCo / PtMn (reference numeral 31)) are formed on the substrate 1, and a tunnel insulating film 4 (MgO (reference numeral 42) / Mg (reference numeral 31) is used as a nonmagnetic layer.
- MgO reference numeral 42
- Mg reference numeral 31
- the free layer 5 (GdFeCo / CoFeB) is sequentially formed.
- the interlayer insulating film 6 SiO 2
- the upper electrode 7 Cu / Ta
- CoFeB / MgO / CoFeB only MgO is a crystallized film and CoFeB is amorphous at the time of device fabrication. With this structure, a value of 100% or more is already obtained as the magnetoresistance ratio, which is sufficient for use in a nonvolatile memory.
- the Mg metal layer is made thin (1-2 nm or less) on the surface in contact with the MgO layer. ) May form.
- an amorphous alloy made of a rare earth transition metal such as TbFeCo shown below is used, it is preferable because the rare earth is easily oxidized.
- TbFeCo which is also amorphous, is preferable because the magnetic compensation point can be appropriately adjusted in the range of room temperature to about 250 ° C.
- Annealing for crystallizing CoFeB after element formation is performed at a temperature of about 200 ° C. to 350 ° C. At this time, it is known that crystallization of CoFeB is promoted from the MgO interface which is a crystal film.
- the annealing time may be selected so that CoFeB completes crystallization and TbFeCo does not crystallize, but it does not crystallize in the above annealing temperature range, and is consistent with the processes used so far. Good sex.
- CoFeB that has been used so far can be used for the free layer (for example, FIG. 5, CoFeB layer 51), in the sense that the temperature rise of the element is used more actively, it is shown in FIG.
- a layer 52 of a material such as GdFeCo that changes from in-plane magnetization to perpendicular magnetization as the temperature rises.
- a material such as GdFeCo that changes from in-plane magnetization to perpendicular magnetization as the temperature rises.
- FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the laminated film related to the spin valve structure in this case.
- Lower electrode 2 Cu / Ta
- tunnel insulating film 4 MgO (reference numeral 42) / Mg (reference numeral 41)
- free Layer 5 ′ TbFeCo / CoFeB
- a metal film such as Cu or Ta may be thinly formed in advance.
- an interlayer insulating film 6 (SiO 2 ) by a method such as Ar ion milling to a junction size of 100 ⁇ 100 nm 2, the upper electrode 7 (Cu / Ta) is formed via a contact hole 6A to the junction and the lower electrode.
- CoFeB / MgO / CoFeB only MgO is a crystallized film and CoFeB is amorphous at the time of device fabrication. With this structure, a value of 100% or more is already obtained as the magnetoresistance ratio, which is sufficient for use in a nonvolatile memory.
- the Mg metal layer is made thin on the surface in contact with the MgO layer (1-2 nm or less ) May form.
- an amorphous alloy made of a rare earth transition metal such as TbFeCo shown below is used, it is preferable because the rare earth is easily oxidized.
- TbFeCo or GdFeCo which is also amorphous, is preferable because the magnetic compensation point can be appropriately adjusted in the range of room temperature to about 250 ° C.
- Annealing for crystallizing CoFeB after element formation is performed at a temperature of about 200 ° C. to 350 ° C. At this time, it is known that crystallization of CoFeB is promoted from the MgO interface which is a crystal film.
- the annealing time may be selected so that CoFeB completes crystallization and TbFeCo does not crystallize, but it does not crystallize in the above annealing temperature range, and is consistent with the processes used so far. Good sex.
- CoFeB that has been used so far for the pinned layer, but like the free layer, CoFeB is arranged on the tunnel insulating film side, and the magnetic compensation point is below the room temperature as a perpendicular magnetization film below it.
- Some TbFeCo may be provided.
- CoFeB thinly (1-2 nm or less) at the MgO interface in both the free layer and the pinned layer, the rare-earth transition metal whose magnetization axis changes easily depending on the N-type ferrimagnetic material and temperature without any problem of spin polarizability.
- An amorphous material can be used.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method of recording information by pulse height, which is a method of driving a magnetic memory element according to the present invention.
- FIG. 8 shows the free layer where the magnetization is reversed regardless of whether the ferrimagnetic layer is in the pinned layer or the free layer.
- the upper part of FIG. 8 shows a voltage arrangement in which the pulse height is changed and the magnetization arrangement switched by the voltage pulse.
- the lower part of FIG. 8 shows the resistance value after switching.
- the case where a positive electric pulse is applied from the free layer side is shown.
- the current is increased by increasing the voltage value of the voltage pulse, and switching is performed according to the operating principle of the present invention by setting the element temperature to a condition that exceeds the magnetic compensation point of the N-type ferrimagnetic material used for the pinned layer.
- the temperature raising / cooling rate due to current heating in such a minute region depends on the element structure, it is generally known that it can be reduced to nanoseconds or less, so there is no disadvantage in element operation.
- a generally known method for example, a structure in which a metal layer through which current flows only in the holes is filled between the pinned layer 3 and the electrode 2 using a porous film of an insulator is used.
- FIG. 9 shows the pulse width ⁇ p necessary for setting (parallel magnetization arrangement) and the pulse width ⁇ ap necessary for resetting (antiparallel magnetization arrangement).
- the upper part of FIG. 9 shows the magnetization arrangement switched by a unipolar electric pulse and a voltage pulse of ⁇ ap used for the set operation and ⁇ ap used for the reset operation.
- the lower part of FIG. 9 shows the resistance value after switching.
- the pulse width is changed, it is preferable to increase the voltage (current) value at the time of resetting than at the time of setting, but the current value at the time of resetting can be reduced as compared with the case of controlling only by the pulse height.
- the magnetization of the free layer can be reversed with a unipolar electric pulse, and switching is possible.
- the material shown as a structural example of the element of this invention illustrated by this embodiment, its composition, and the formation method are not limited to the said embodiment.
- FIG. 10 schematically shows a magnetic memory element and a rectifying element constituting a cross-point type memory cell array which is an embodiment of the nonvolatile memory device according to the present invention.
- a rectifying element (a diode is illustrated here) is connected in series as an element selection switch, and an upper electrode and a lower electrode are formed in an array to form a cross-point type memory.
- a diode is illustrated here
- the process temperature required for manufacturing the magnetic memory element of the present invention is about 350 ° C. or less, which is necessary as an annealing temperature, and the performance of the electric pulse supply transistor formed below and the diode formed for the cell selection switch is impaired. There is no. Also, since the wiring can withstand the annealing temperature, it is possible to increase the memory capacity by three-dimensionally stacking this combination.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the memory array of the nonvolatile memory device 100 driven by the word line and the bit line using the rectifying element and the memory cell of FIG.
- the word line of an unaccessed word is maintained at a high voltage and accessed to prevent current from flowing to the memory cell 8 by the action of the diode 9, and only the word line of the accessed word is connected to GND. Then, taking the difference from the voltage of the bit line, for each memory cell connected to the accessed word line, a signal that realizes a set operation or a reset operation according to necessary data is transmitted to the bit line. Applied from the decoder 120.
- a current detection unit included in the bit line decoder 120 and provided corresponding to each bit line is selected by a word line decoder that operates in the same manner as in writing.
- the current flowing through each bit line with respect to the word line is detected, and the voltage value corresponding to the resistance of the memory cell 8 corresponding to each bit line is detected in the word line having the word to be accessed. Is read.
- the present invention can be used for a magnetic memory element that is switched by an electric pulse, a driving method thereof, and a nonvolatile memory device.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Mram Or Spin Memory Techniques (AREA)
- Hall/Mr Elements (AREA)
Abstract
Description
D.D.Djayaprawira他、"230% room-temperature magnetoresistance in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions",Applied Physics Letters, Vol.86,092502,2005年 J.Hayakawa他、"Current-induced magnetization switching in MgO barrier based magnetic tunnel junctions with CoFeB/Ru/CoFeB synthetic ferrimagnetic free layer",Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol.45,L1057-L1060,2006年
2: 下部電極(Cu/Ta)
3、3´: ピン層
31: TbFeCo/PtMn
32: CoFeB
4: 非磁性層
41: Mg
42: MgOトンネル絶縁膜
5、5´: フリー層
51: CoFeB
52: GdFeCo
6: 層間絶縁膜(SiO2)
6A: コンタクトホール
7: 上部電極(Cu/Ta)
8: メモリーセル
9: 整流素子
100: 不揮発性記憶装置
110: ワードラインデコーダ
120: ビットラインデコーダ
本発明の第1実施形態では、図1~図9に基づいて本発明素子と本発明素子の駆動方法について説明する。
次に、本発明素子をメモリーセルとして使用した不揮発記憶装置(本発明装置)の一構成例について図10および図11を用いて説明する。
Claims (29)
- フリー層と、非磁性層と、前記フリー層とともに前記非磁性層を挟むピン層とを備えるスピンバルブ構造を有してなり、前記フリー層と前記ピン層との間に電気パルスを印加することにより情報を記録する磁気メモリー素子であって、
前記スピンバルブ構造には、前記フリー層の磁化と前記ピン層の磁化との組み合わせを制御するためのいくつかの書き込みパルスを印加することによって、書き込みパルスに応じた情報が記録され、
前記ピン層がN型フェリ磁性体を含むフェリ磁性層を含み、
該N型フェリ磁性体が、前記磁気メモリー素子の記憶保持動作温度域に磁気補償点Tcompを有することを特徴とする磁気メモリー素子。 - 前記ピン層が、前記N型フェリ磁性体の磁化の温度依存性よりも小さい磁化の温度依存性を示す磁性体を有する追加磁性層をさらに含み、該追加磁性層が、前記ピン層のうちの前記非磁性層側に配置されることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記非磁性層と前記ピン層との間にマグネシウムまたはアルミニウムを含む金属層を設けることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記ピン層の厚みを規定する二つの面のうち前記非磁性層の反対側となる面に近接して電流狭窄構造を設けたことを特徴とする請求項1に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記フリー層の磁化の向きが、温度の上昇に伴って面内から面直へと変化することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記フリー層がGdFeCo合金からなることを特徴とする請求項5に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- フリー層と、非磁性層と、前記フリー層とともに前記非磁性層を挟むピン層とを備えるスピンバルブ構造を有してなり、前記フリー層と前記ピン層との間に電気パルスを印加することにより情報を記録する磁気メモリー素子であって、
前記スピンバルブ構造には、前記フリー層の磁化と前記ピン層の磁化との組み合わせを制御するためのいくつかの書き込みパルスを印加することによって、書き込みパルスに応じた情報が記録され、
前記フリー層がN型フェリ磁性体を含むフェリ磁性層を含み、
該N型フェリ磁性体が、前記磁気メモリー素子の記憶保持動作温度域に磁気補償点Tcompを有することを特徴とする磁気メモリー素子。 - 前記N型フェリ磁性体の磁気補償点Tcompが、一の書き込みパルスを印加したときに到達する前記フェリ磁性層の温度よりも低く、他の書き込みパルスを印加したときに到達する前記フェリ磁性層の温度よりも高いことを特徴とする請求項1または7に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記フリー層が、前記N型フェリ磁性体の磁化の温度依存性よりも小さい磁化の温度依存性を示す磁性体を有する追加磁性層をさらに含み、該追加磁性層が、前記フリー層のうちの前記非磁性層側に配置されることを特徴とする請求項7に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記フェリ磁性層と前記追加磁性層とがともに垂直磁化膜であることを特徴とする請求項2または9に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記フェリ磁性層と前記追加磁性層のうち、いずれか一方の層が垂直磁化膜であり、もう一方の層が面内磁化膜であることを特徴とする請求項2または9に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記非磁性層と前記フリー層との間にマグネシウムまたはアルミニウムを含む金属層を設けることを特徴とする請求項7に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記非磁性層が酸化マグネシウムからなり、前記ピン層の前記フェリ磁性層が希土類遷移金属合金であるTbFeCo合金またはGdFeCo合金からなり、前記追加磁性層がCoFeB合金からなることを特徴とする請求項2または9に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- 前記フリー層の厚みを規定する二つの面のうち前記非磁性層の反対側となる面に近接して電流狭窄構造を設けたことを特徴とする請求項7に記載の磁気メモリー素子。
- フリー層と、非磁性層と、前記フリー層とともに前記非磁性層を挟むピン層とを備えるスピンバルブ構造を有する磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法であって、前記ピン層は、磁気メモリー素子の記憶保持動作温度域に磁気補償点Tcompを有するN型フェリ磁性体を有するフェリ磁性層を含んでいて、
前記スピンバルブ構造に電気パルスである第1の書き込みパルスを印加して、該第1の書き込みパルスの印加後における前記フリー層の磁化と前記ピン層の磁化との組み合わせを第1の組み合わせ状態にするステップと、
前記スピンバルブ構造に電気パルスである第2の書き込みパルスを印加して、該第2の書き込みパルスの印加後における前記フリー層の磁化と前記ピン層の磁化との組み合わせを第2の組み合わせ状態にするステップと
を含んでなり、前記第1の書き込みパルスを印加した際の前記ピン層の磁化と前記第2の書き込みパルスを印加した際の前記ピン層の磁化とが互いに異なる向きであり、前記第1および第2の書き込みパルスが同一の極性であることを特徴とする磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。 - 前記第1および第2の書き込みパルスが前記フリー層から前記ピン層へと電流を流すものであることを特徴とする請求項15に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1および第2の書き込みパルスが前記ピン層から前記フリー層へと電流を流すものであることを特徴とする請求項15に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- フリー層と、非磁性層と、前記フリー層とともに前記非磁性層を挟むピン層とを備えるスピンバルブ構造を有する磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法であって、前記フリー層は、磁気メモリー素子の記憶保持動作温度域に磁気補償点Tcompを有するN型フェリ磁性体を有するフェリ磁性層を含んでいて、
前記スピンバルブ構造に電気パルスである第1の書き込みパルスを印加して、該第1の書き込みパルスの印加後における前記フリー層の磁化と前記ピン層の磁化との組み合わせを第1の組み合わせ状態にするステップと、
前記スピンバルブ構造に電気パルスである第2の書き込みパルスを印加して、該第2の書き込みパルスの印加後における前記フリー層の磁化と前記ピン層の磁化との組み合わせを第2の組み合わせ状態にするステップと
を含んでなり、前記第1の書き込みパルスを印加した際の前記フリー層の磁化と前記第2の書き込みパルスを印加した際の前記フリー層の磁化とが互いに同じ向きであり、前記第1および第2の書き込みパルスが同一の極性であることを特徴とする磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。 - 前記第1および第2の書き込みパルスが前記フリー層から前記ピン層へと電流を流すものであることを特徴とする請求項18に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1および第2の書き込みパルスが前記ピン層から前記フリー層へと電流を流すものであることを特徴とする請求項18に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとが互いにパルス高さが異なることを特徴とする請求項16または19に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとのうちの一方のパルスが前記フリー層と前記ピン層の間の抵抗値を低抵抗にするパルスであって振幅Vpの部分を有し、もう一方のパルスが前記抵抗値を高抵抗にするパルスであって振幅Vapの部分を有し、振幅Vpが振幅Vapよりも小さいことを特徴とする請求項21に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとが異なるパルス幅を有し、パルス幅に基づいて前記情報を記録することを特徴とする請求項22に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとのうちの一方のパルスが前記フリー層と前記ピン層の間の抵抗値を低抵抗にするパルスであってパルス幅τpを有し、もう一方のパルスが該抵抗値を高抵抗にするパルスであってパルス幅τapを有し、パルス幅τpがパルス幅τapよりも小さいことを特徴とする請求項23に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとが互いにパルス高さが異なることを特徴とする請求項17または20に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとのうちの一方のパルスが前記フリー層と前記ピン層の間の抵抗値を低抵抗にするパルスであって振幅Vpの部分を有し、もう一方のパルスが前記抵抗値を高抵抗にするパルスであって振幅Vapの部分を有し、振幅Vpが振幅Vapよりも大きいことを特徴とする請求項25に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとが異なるパルス幅を有し、パルス幅に基づいて前記情報を記録することを特徴とする請求項26に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 前記第1の書き込みパルスと前記第2の書き込みパルスとのうちの一方のパルスが前記フリー層と前記ピン層の間の抵抗値を低抵抗にするパルスであってパルス幅τpを有し、もう一方のパルスが該抵抗値を高抵抗にするパルスであってパルス幅τapを有し、パルス幅τpがパルス幅τapよりも大きいことを特徴とする請求項27に記載の磁気メモリー素子の駆動方法。
- 請求項1または7に記載の磁気メモリー素子と、
該磁気メモリー素子に直列に接続した整流素子と、
前記磁気メモリー素子のスピンバルブ構造におけるフリー層の磁化とピン層の磁化との組み合わせを第1の組み合わせ状態にするための第1の書き込みパルスと、前記組み合わせを第2の組み合わせ状態にするための、前記第1の書き込みパルスと同一の極性の第2の書き込みパルスとを生成して前記整流素子と前記磁気メモリー素子とに印加して書込及び消去を行う情報書換え手段と、
磁気メモリー素子を流れる電流量から記憶された情報を読出す読み出し手段と
を備えてなることを特徴とする不揮発記憶装置。
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/866,733 US8274820B2 (en) | 2008-02-08 | 2008-08-28 | Magnetic memory element, method of driving same, and nonvolatile storage device |
EP08872063.6A EP2242097B1 (en) | 2008-02-08 | 2008-08-28 | Magnetic memory element, method for driving same, and nonvolatile storage |
JP2009552380A JP5057254B2 (ja) | 2008-02-08 | 2008-08-28 | 磁気メモリー素子、その駆動方法及び不揮発性記憶装置 |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2008-028849 | 2008-02-08 | ||
JP2008028849 | 2008-02-08 | ||
JP2008-168119 | 2008-06-27 | ||
JP2008168119 | 2008-06-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2009098796A1 true WO2009098796A1 (ja) | 2009-08-13 |
Family
ID=40951883
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2008/065425 WO2009098796A1 (ja) | 2008-02-08 | 2008-08-28 | 磁気メモリー素子、その駆動方法及び不揮発性記憶装置 |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8274820B2 (ja) |
EP (1) | EP2242097B1 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP5057254B2 (ja) |
KR (1) | KR101550080B1 (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2009098796A1 (ja) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011033873A1 (ja) * | 2009-09-17 | 2011-03-24 | 富士電機ホールディングス株式会社 | 磁気抵抗素子及びそれを用いた不揮発性半導体記憶装置 |
US20120320666A1 (en) * | 2010-03-10 | 2012-12-20 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistive Element and Magnetic Memory |
JP2013175680A (ja) * | 2012-02-27 | 2013-09-05 | Nippon Hoso Kyokai <Nhk> | スピン注入磁化反転素子および磁気抵抗ランダムアクセスメモリ |
US8937832B2 (en) | 2012-03-21 | 2015-01-20 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Magnetic memory |
US9564152B2 (en) | 2010-06-04 | 2017-02-07 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetic memory |
WO2017208653A1 (ja) * | 2016-05-31 | 2017-12-07 | ソニー株式会社 | 不揮発性メモリセル、メモリセルユニット及び情報書き込み方法、並びに、電子機器 |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8488363B2 (en) * | 2010-05-11 | 2013-07-16 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Write energy conservation in memory |
JP5786341B2 (ja) * | 2010-09-06 | 2015-09-30 | ソニー株式会社 | 記憶素子、メモリ装置 |
JP2012204432A (ja) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-10-22 | Toshiba Corp | 磁気ランダムアクセスメモリ及びその製造方法 |
JP2014143315A (ja) * | 2013-01-24 | 2014-08-07 | Toshiba Corp | 磁気メモリおよびその製造方法 |
KR102023626B1 (ko) | 2013-01-25 | 2019-09-20 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | 스핀 홀 효과를 이용한 메모리 소자와 그 제조 및 동작방법 |
JP2015049918A (ja) * | 2013-09-03 | 2015-03-16 | マイクロン テクノロジー, インク. | 書き込みパルス幅設定方法、データ書き込み方法及び半導体装置 |
US9613675B2 (en) | 2013-12-14 | 2017-04-04 | Qualcomm Incorporated | System and method to perform low power memory operations |
US9773539B2 (en) * | 2015-09-10 | 2017-09-26 | Toshiba Memory Corporation | Logical operation circuit and memory device |
KR102385166B1 (ko) * | 2017-03-14 | 2022-04-08 | 에스케이하이닉스 주식회사 | 쓰기 성능이 향상된 자기 메모리 장치 및 그 동작 방법 |
CN107365971B (zh) * | 2017-08-23 | 2019-08-30 | 华侨大学 | 一种具有高垂直交换耦合场的稀土-过渡合金薄膜及其制备方法 |
KR102510497B1 (ko) | 2018-09-17 | 2023-03-16 | 삼성전자주식회사 | 누설 전류를 감소시키기 위한 메모리 장치 |
EP3796319A1 (en) * | 2019-09-19 | 2021-03-24 | Institute of Physics | Memory device |
CN117178362A (zh) * | 2021-08-19 | 2023-12-05 | 华为技术有限公司 | 磁性器件及其制作方法、磁性存储器、电子设备 |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2004172614A (ja) * | 2002-11-15 | 2004-06-17 | Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> | 酸化物層と電流誘導加熱を使用した熱アシスト磁気書込み |
JP2004179483A (ja) | 2002-11-28 | 2004-06-24 | Hitachi Ltd | 不揮発性磁気メモリ |
JP2006080241A (ja) * | 2004-09-08 | 2006-03-23 | Univ Nagoya | 固体メモリ装置 |
JP2006128579A (ja) | 2004-11-01 | 2006-05-18 | Sony Corp | 記憶素子及びメモリ |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2829867B1 (fr) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-12-19 | Centre Nat Rech Scient | Memoire magnetique a selection a l'ecriture par inhibition et procede pour son ecriture |
KR100427715B1 (ko) * | 2001-12-28 | 2004-04-28 | 주식회사 하이닉스반도체 | 자기저항 램 및 그 제조방법 |
US6667897B1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2003-12-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Magnetic tunnel junction containing a ferrimagnetic layer and anti-parallel layer |
JP2004071897A (ja) * | 2002-08-07 | 2004-03-04 | Sony Corp | 磁気抵抗効果素子及び磁気メモリ装置 |
US20050136600A1 (en) * | 2003-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | Yiming Huai | Magnetic elements with ballistic magnetoresistance utilizing spin-transfer and an MRAM device using such magnetic elements |
US7242045B2 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2007-07-10 | Grandis, Inc. | Spin transfer magnetic element having low saturation magnetization free layers |
US7230845B1 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-06-12 | Grandis, Inc. | Magnetic devices having a hard bias field and magnetic memory devices using the magnetic devices |
KR20070017047A (ko) * | 2005-08-05 | 2007-02-08 | 소니 가부시끼 가이샤 | 기억 소자 및 메모리 |
US7345911B2 (en) * | 2006-02-14 | 2008-03-18 | Magic Technologies, Inc. | Multi-state thermally assisted storage |
JP4277870B2 (ja) * | 2006-04-17 | 2009-06-10 | ソニー株式会社 | 記憶素子及びメモリ |
-
2008
- 2008-08-28 KR KR1020107012211A patent/KR101550080B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2008-08-28 JP JP2009552380A patent/JP5057254B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-08-28 US US12/866,733 patent/US8274820B2/en active Active
- 2008-08-28 EP EP08872063.6A patent/EP2242097B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-08-28 WO PCT/JP2008/065425 patent/WO2009098796A1/ja active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2004172614A (ja) * | 2002-11-15 | 2004-06-17 | Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> | 酸化物層と電流誘導加熱を使用した熱アシスト磁気書込み |
JP2004179483A (ja) | 2002-11-28 | 2004-06-24 | Hitachi Ltd | 不揮発性磁気メモリ |
JP2006080241A (ja) * | 2004-09-08 | 2006-03-23 | Univ Nagoya | 固体メモリ装置 |
JP2006128579A (ja) | 2004-11-01 | 2006-05-18 | Sony Corp | 記憶素子及びメモリ |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
D.D. DJAYAPRAWIRA ET AL.: "230% room-temperature magnetoresistance in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions", APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, vol. 86, 2005, pages 092502 |
J. HAYAKAWA ET AL.: "Current-induced magnetization switching in MgO barrier based magnetic tunnel junctions with CoFeB/Ru/CoFeB synthetic ferrimagnetic free layer", JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, vol. 45, no. 40, 2006, pages L1057 - L1060 |
See also references of EP2242097A4 |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10468591B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2019-11-05 | Iii Holdings 3, Llc | Magnetoresistance element and non-volatile semiconductor storage device using same magnetoresistance element |
US8995179B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2015-03-31 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. | Magnetoresistance element and non-volatile semiconductor storage device using same magnetoresistance element |
US9525127B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2016-12-20 | Iii Holdings 3, Llc | Magnetoresistance element and non-volatile semiconductor storage device using same magnetoresistance element |
KR101789837B1 (ko) * | 2009-09-17 | 2017-10-25 | 아이아이아이 홀딩스 3, 엘엘씨 | 자기저항소자 및 이를 이용한 비휘발성 반도체 기억장치 |
EP3703113A3 (en) * | 2009-09-17 | 2020-11-18 | III Holdings 3, LLC | Magnetoresistance element and non-volatile semiconductor storage device using same magnetoresistance element |
US10756261B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2020-08-25 | Iii Holdings 3, Ltd. | Magnetoresistance element and non-volatile semiconductor storage device using same magnetoresistance element |
JP5578448B2 (ja) * | 2009-09-17 | 2014-08-27 | 富士電機株式会社 | 磁気抵抗素子及びそれを用いた不揮発性半導体記憶装置 |
WO2011033873A1 (ja) * | 2009-09-17 | 2011-03-24 | 富士電機ホールディングス株式会社 | 磁気抵抗素子及びそれを用いた不揮発性半導体記憶装置 |
EP2479787A4 (en) * | 2009-09-17 | 2015-05-06 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT AND NON-VOLATILE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE THEREWITH |
JPWO2011033873A1 (ja) * | 2009-09-17 | 2013-02-14 | 富士電機株式会社 | 磁気抵抗素子及びそれを用いた不揮発性半導体記憶装置 |
US9450177B2 (en) * | 2010-03-10 | 2016-09-20 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory |
US10804457B2 (en) | 2010-03-10 | 2020-10-13 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory |
JP5600344B2 (ja) * | 2010-03-10 | 2014-10-01 | 株式会社日立製作所 | 磁気抵抗効果素子及び磁気メモリ |
US20120320666A1 (en) * | 2010-03-10 | 2012-12-20 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistive Element and Magnetic Memory |
US10651369B2 (en) | 2010-06-04 | 2020-05-12 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory |
US9564152B2 (en) | 2010-06-04 | 2017-02-07 | Tohoku University | Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetic memory |
JP2013175680A (ja) * | 2012-02-27 | 2013-09-05 | Nippon Hoso Kyokai <Nhk> | スピン注入磁化反転素子および磁気抵抗ランダムアクセスメモリ |
US8937832B2 (en) | 2012-03-21 | 2015-01-20 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Magnetic memory |
JPWO2017208653A1 (ja) * | 2016-05-31 | 2019-03-28 | ソニー株式会社 | 不揮発性メモリセル、メモリセルユニット及び情報書き込み方法、並びに、電子機器 |
WO2017208653A1 (ja) * | 2016-05-31 | 2017-12-07 | ソニー株式会社 | 不揮発性メモリセル、メモリセルユニット及び情報書き込み方法、並びに、電子機器 |
US10706903B2 (en) | 2016-05-31 | 2020-07-07 | Sony Corporation | Nonvolatile memory cell, memory cell unit, and information writing method, and electronic apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20100127743A (ko) | 2010-12-06 |
EP2242097A1 (en) | 2010-10-20 |
US8274820B2 (en) | 2012-09-25 |
JP5057254B2 (ja) | 2012-10-24 |
EP2242097A4 (en) | 2014-03-12 |
JPWO2009098796A1 (ja) | 2011-05-26 |
KR101550080B1 (ko) | 2015-09-03 |
US20110063899A1 (en) | 2011-03-17 |
EP2242097B1 (en) | 2017-07-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP5057254B2 (ja) | 磁気メモリー素子、その駆動方法及び不揮発性記憶装置 | |
JP5321991B2 (ja) | 磁気メモリー素子及びその駆動方法 | |
JP5062538B2 (ja) | 磁気メモリー素子、その駆動方法及び不揮発性記憶装置 | |
JP5709329B2 (ja) | 不揮発記憶装置 | |
JP5316967B2 (ja) | 磁気メモリー素子及び不揮発性記憶装置 | |
JP5387990B2 (ja) | 磁気メモリ素子とその駆動方法及び不揮発記憶装置 | |
TWI422083B (zh) | Magnetic memory lattice and magnetic random access memory |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 08872063 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2009552380 Country of ref document: JP |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 20107012211 Country of ref document: KR Kind code of ref document: A |
|
REEP | Request for entry into the european phase |
Ref document number: 2008872063 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2008872063 Country of ref document: EP |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 12866733 Country of ref document: US |