Patent ID: 8362581
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetic memory element comprising: a recording layer capable of changing in magnetization direction by an external magnetic field, and having an easy-axis and a hard-axis crossing with the easy-axis; a first conductive layer for forming a magnetic field in the direction crossing with the direction of the easy-axis at a layout position of the recording layer; and a second conductive layer extending in the direction crossing with the first conductive layer and for forming a magnetic field in the direction crossing with the direction of the hard-axis at the layout position of the recording layer, wherein the recording layer has at least a part placed so as to be interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and a planar shape of the recording layer as viewed from the direction in which the first and second conducive layers and the recording layer are laminated with each other, has one portion located on one side and the other portion located on the other side, with respect to a virtual first center line of the first conductive layer along the direction in which the first conductive layer extends as viewed from the lamination direction, and the area of the one portion as viewed from the lamination direction is less than or equal to one third that of the other portion, the recording layer is elliptical-shaped in plan view, a width of the recording layer along the hard-axis is less than or equal to a width of the first conductive layer, and a width of the recording layer along the easy-axis is less than or equal to a width of the second conductive layer.