Patent ID: 7773408
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: B82Y,G11C,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A nonvolatile memory device, comprising: a plurality of write lines provided in rows and columns; and a magnetoresistive element arranged to correspond to an intersection of two write lines corresponding to a row and a column among said plurality of write lines, said magnetoresistive element storing data by being subjected to a write magnetic field generated by currents flowing through said respective two write lines according to write data, and changing an electric resistance value in a nonvolatile manner, said magnetoresistive element including a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction irrespective of said write magnetic field, a recording layer having a magnetization direction changeable according to said write magnetic field, and a first nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between said pinned layer and said recording layer, said recording layer including an exchange-coupling layer, a first ferromagnetic layer made of a first material, and a second nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between said exchange-coupling layer and said first ferromagnetic layer, said exchange-coupling layer including second and third ferromagnetic layers made of a second material different from said first material, and a third nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between said second ferromagnetic layer and said third ferromagnetic layer, said second and third ferromagnetic layers having magnetizations oriented opposite to each other and substantially identical in magnitude to cancel each other.