Exchange-assisted Spin Transfer Torque Switching
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for reducing the amount of switching current that is utilized within a magnetic storage (e.g., MRAM) device. An example apparatus includes a fixed magnetic layer that provides a fixed direction of magnetization, an exchange-coupled magnetic multi-layer structure, and a non-magnetic layer placed between the fixed magnetic layer and the exchange-coupled magnetic multi-layer structure. The exchange-coupled magnetic multi-layer structure includes a recording layer configured to record information and an assisting layer having a lower anisotropy than the recording layer. The exchange coupling between the recording and assisting layers is operable to switch a magnetization direction of the recording layer. In some cases, the exchange-coupled magnetic multi-layer structure may further include a spacer separating the recording and assisting layers and configured to weaken an exchange coupling between the recording and assisting layers.
Attached files:Patents:US 20,100,039,855
Inventor(s):
VICTORA RANDALL H [US]; CHEN XI [US]
Type of Offer:
Licensing
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