Patent ID: 8659103
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive element comprising: a first magnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and an invariable magnetization direction; a second magnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and a variable magnetization direction; and a nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, wherein the first magnetic layer has a structure in which a first magnetic material film, a nonmagnetic material film, a second magnetic material film, and a third magnetic material film are stacked, the nonmagnetic material film comprising at least one of Ta, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Ti, V, Cr, W, and Hf, the first magnetic material film is provided in contact with the nonmagnetic layer, the nonmagnetic material film is provided in contact with the first magnetic material film, the second magnetic material film is provided in contact with the nonmagnetic material film, and the third magnetic material film is provided in contact with the second magnetic material film, the second magnetic material film has a Co concentration higher than that of the first magnetic material film, and a current is passed across the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer via the nonmagnetic layer so that the magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer varies.