Patent ID: 6775183
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
A magnetic memory cell comprising:a first layer or stack of two or more conductive layers having at least one first magnetic layer with a first magnetic moment; a second layer or stack of two or more conductive layers having least one second magnetic layer with a second magnetic moment; a third layer or stack of two or more non-magnetic layers, that is arranged between and contacting said first layer or stack and said second layer or stack and allows a non-tunneling current to pass, a current control element allowing a current of up to at least a predetermined writing current amount to pass across the cell in a first direction perpendicular to the layer planes of the layers or stacks, and prohibiting a current to pass across the cell in a second direction opposite to said first direction, unless the current amount in the second direction is higher than a predetermined reading current amount, which reading current amount is lower than said writing amount, wherein extensions of said layers or stacks in a direction perpendicular to the layer planes of the layers or stacks, as well as the materials of said layers or stacks are adapted to allow a change of an orientation of said first and second magnetic moments relative to each other with the aid of a current of at least said writing current amount, and to influence a current amount across the cell of at most said reading current amount by a giant magnetoresistance effect.