Patent ID: 8710605
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetic memory comprising at least one memory cell comprising a magnetoresistive element as a memory element, first and second electrodes that energize the magnetoresistive element, and an insulating film covering the magnetoresistive element, the magnetoresistive element comprising: a first magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction perpendicular to a film plane; a tunnel barrier layer on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer on the tunnel barrier layer, and having a fixed magnetization direction perpendicular to the film plane, the first magnetic layer comprising: a first region; and a second region outside the first region so as to surround the first region, and having a smaller perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy than that of the first region, the second magnetic layer comprising: a third region; and a fourth region outside the third region so as to surround the third region, and having a smaller perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy than that of the third region, wherein a mean size of the second region in a film thickness direction is larger than a mean size of the fourth region in the film thickness direction.