Patent ID: 8268713

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device in which information is stored when an electric resistance value changes depending on a magnetization reversal state, the nonvolatile memory device having a laminated structure in which a first magnetic material layer, a tunnel insulator film, and a second magnetic material layer are sequentially laminated, the method comprising the steps of: sequentially forming the first magnetic material layer, the tunnel insulator film, and the second magnetic material layer; forming a mask layer on the second magnetic material layer; oxidizing a part not covered by the mask layer of the second magnetic material layer; and reducing the oxidized part of the second magnetic material layer, wherein, after the mask layer is formed on the second magnetic material layer and before the part not covered by the mask layer of the second magnetic material layer is oxidized, a portion of the part not covered by the mask layer of the second magnetic material layer is etched in a thickness direction.