Patent ID: 7872906

Claim:
A memory element comprising: a magnetoresistance element comprising a first ferromagnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a second ferromagnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, a third ferromagnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, a first non-magnetic layer located between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, and a second non-magnetic layer located between the second ferromagnetic layer and the third ferromagnetic layer; and means for applying a current in a film thickness direction of the magnetoresistance element, wherein a magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer and a magnetization direction of the third ferromagnetic layer are substantially anti-parallel with each other, and in conducting a write operation, currents which differ in current pulse width are applied in a film thickness direction of the magnetoresistance element to cause a spin-transfer torque to act on either the second ferromagnetic layer or the third ferromagnetic layer and cause magnetization reversal therein.