Patent ID: 7394685

Claim:
A nonvolatile memory device, comprising: a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns; and a plurality of first and second current lines provided correspondingly to memory cell columns respectively for supplying a current via a selected memory cell in data read operation or data write operation, said memory cells each including a magneto-resistance element provided between corresponding first and second current lines for executing magnetic nonvolatile data storage, said magneto-resistance element including a fixed magnetization layer electrically coupled with said corresponding first current line and magnetized in a first magnetization direction, a free magnetization layer electrically coupled with said corresponding second current line, and magnetized in one of said first magnetization direction and a second magnetization direction opposite to said first magnetization direction, based on spin-polarized electrons depending on a direction in which a data write current flows via said corresponding first and second current lines in said data write operation, and a barrier layer of a non-magnetic material provided between said fixed magnetization layer and said free magnetization layer, and said nonvolatile memory device further comprising a data read circuit supplying, in said data read operation, to the first and second current lines corresponding to said selected memory cell, a data read current in a direction in which disturb is unlikely to occur.