Patent ID: 8357982

Claim:
A magnetic memory comprising: a magnetoresistive effect element having a first magnetic layer of which the magnetization direction perpendicular to a film plane is variable, a second magnetic layer of which the magnetization direction perpendicular to a film plane is fixed, a third magnetic layer of which the magnetization direction parallel to a film plane is variable, and an intermediate layer between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, the third magnetic layer generating a magnetic field by a rotation of the magnetization of the third magnetic layer due to a first current flowing in the first, second, and third magnetic layers, a magnitude of the first current being equal to or larger than an inversion threshold of the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer; and a fourth magnetic layer which is provided on the side surface of the magnetoresistive effect element via an insulating film and which collects the magnetic field generated from the third magnetic layer, the collected magnetic field applied to the first magnetic layer, and the fourth magnetic layer isolated from the third magnetic layer by the insulating film provided between the third magnetic layer and the fourth magnetic layer.