Patent ID: 7764538

Claim:
A magnetic memory which includes a magnetic memory element having a fixed layer and a free layer laminated with a non-magnetic layer interposed therebetween, and which performs recording based on a magnetization direction of the free layer with respect to a magnetization direction of the fixed layer, the magnetic memory comprising: a first auxiliary element having a fixed layer and a free layer laminated with a non-magnetic layer interposed therebetween, the fixed layer and the free layer having magnetization directions that are antiparallel to each other; a second auxiliary element having a fixed layer and a free layer laminated with a non-magnetic layer interposed therebetween, the fixed layer and the free layer having magnetization directions that are parallel to each other; a means for making current to vertically flow into a film surface of the magnetic memory element through the first auxiliary element; and a means for making current to vertically flow into a film surface of the magnetic memory element through the second auxiliary element, wherein an absolute value of current necessary for changing the magnetization direction of the free layer of the magnetic memory element from an antiparallel state to a parallel state with respect to the magnetization direction of the fixed layer of the magnetic memory element is smaller than an absolute value of current necessary for changing the magnetization direction of the free layer of the first auxiliary element to the parallel state with respect to the magnetization direction of the fixed layer of the first auxiliary element, and an absolute value of current necessary for changing the magnetization direction of the free layer of the magnetic memory element from the parallel state to the antiparallel state with respect to the magnetization direction of the fixed layer of the magnetic memory element is smaller than an absolute value of current necessary for changing the magnetization direction of the free layer of the second auxiliary element to the antiparallel state with respect to the magnetization direction of the fixed layer of the second auxiliary element.