Patent ID: 7547934

Claim:
A magnetic memory comprising at least a memory cell, the memory cell including a magneto-resistive effect element as a memory element, the magneto-resistive effect element including: a magnetization-pinned layer comprising a magnetic film having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and third surfaces different from the first and second surfaces, the magnetic film having a spin moment oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and pinned in the direction; a magnetic recording layer provided to face the first surface and having a spin moment oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, a direction of the spin moment of the magnetic recording layer being parallel or antiparallel to that of the magnetization-pinned layer; a nonmagnetic layer formed between the magnetization-pinned layer and the magnetic recording layer; and an anti-ferromagnetic film formed on at least the third surfaces of the magnetization-pinned layer and being exchange-coupled to the magnetization-pinned layer so that the spin moment of the magnetic film is oriented in the direction perpendicular to the first surface.