Patent ID: 8427864

Claim:
A semiconductor storage device comprising: a plurality of word lines; a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of source lines extending in a direction orthogonal to the plurality of word lines, respectively; and a plurality of memory cells arranged at predetermined intersection points of the plurality of word lines, the plurality of bit lines, and the plurality of source lines, the memory cell being formed of a select transistor and a tunnel magnetoresistive element having different resistance values according to stored information, the tunnel magnetoresistive element having a tunnel barrier film with a fixed layer and a free layer formed of magnetic materials arranged and both sides the tunnel barrier film, the fixed layer having a direction of magnetization fixed to a predetermined direction, and the free layer having a direction of magnetization either parallel or anti-parallel to the direction of electron spin of the fixed layer, the tunnel magnetoresistive element having different resistance values depending on whether the direction of magnetization of the free layer is parallel or anti-parallel to the direction of electron spin of the fixed layer, the direction of magnetization of the free layer being changed by a direction of a current flowing in the tunnel magnetoresistive element, a gate electrode of the select transistor being electrically connected to the word line, one of the source and drain regions of the select transistor being electrically connected to one of the other terminals of the tunnel magnetoresistive element, the other terminal of the tunnel magnetoresistive element being electrically connected to one of the bit line or the source line, and the other of the source and drain regions of the select transistor being electrically connected to the other of the bit line or the source line, wherein, to write information in the memory cell, a current in a direction opposite to a current necessary for writing is supplied to the memory cell, and then, a circuit for supplying the current necessary for writing is provided.