Patent ID: 7171096
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: G11B,G11C

Abstract:
1. A non-volatile optical memory element comprises: an optical waveguide, which has a core region embedded between two cladding regions, wherein a refractive index of the core region is higher than that of the cladding regions, a ferromagnetic-metal region embedded inside the cladding region or the core region, a non-conductive tunnel-barrier region interposed between a first conductive region and a second conductive region, wherein the ferromagnetic-metal region is interposed between the first conductive region and the tunnel-barrier region followed by the second conductive region, and the ferromagnetic-metal region is close enough to the waveguide core region in which light propagating in the waveguide penetrates into the ferromagnetic metal region, and a size and form of the ferromagnetic metal region is adjusted so that the ferromagnetic metal region is in a single-domain state, and data is stored in the memory element in two opposite directions of magnetization of the ferromagnetic-metal region.