Patent ID: 8957486
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetic memory comprising: a magnetoresistive effect element formed by sequentially stacking a fixed layer, a nonmagnetic barrier layer, and a recording layer, the recording layer including a first ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer being antiferromagnetically coupled with the second ferromagnetic layer via the nonmagnetic layer, the magnetic memory being configured to record information based on a relationship between a magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer disposed on the nonmagnetic barrier layer side among the first and second ferromagnetic layers and a magnetization direction of the fixed layer, and the magnetic memory being configured to switch a magnetization direction of the recording layer using a spin-polarized current applied in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the recording layer, wherein the magnetic memory satisfies the following expression: in which k B is a Boltzmann constant, T is an operating temperature of the magnetic memory, S is an area parallel to a film surface of the magnetoresistive effect element, t and M s are respectively a film thickness and a saturated magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer having a smaller film thickness among the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, w is a length of a short side of the recording layer, Δ is a thermal stability index of the magnetic memory, and J ex is exchange coupling energy acting between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer.