Patent ID: 7965544
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for driving a magnetic memory that includes a memory cell having a magnetic memory element that includes a magnetization reference layer in which a magnetization direction is fixed, a magnetic memory layer in which a magnetization direction is changeable, and a tunnel barrier layer interposed between the magnetization reference layer and the magnetic memory layer, the magnetization direction of the magnetic memory layer being changeable by applying a write current pulse to inject spin-polarized electrons into the magnetic memory layer, the method comprising: applying the write current pulse for writing information in the magnetic memory layer; and applying a read current pulse for reading the information from the magnetic memory layer, wherein duration of the write current pulse is longer than that of the read current pulse, and the magnetic anisotropy field Hk of the magnetic memory layer is in the range of 50 Oe to 5000 Oe, and wherein the read current pulse is applied a plurality of times to obtain one datum of the information from the magnetic memory through an integrated read current value, and each pulse duration of the read current pulse applied the plurality of times is shorter than the pulse duration of the write current.