Patent ID: 8514617

Claim:
A magnetic memory element comprising: a magnetic tunnel junction having a first magnetic body including a perpendicular magnetization film, an insulating layer, and a second magnetic body serving as a storage layer including a perpendicular magnetization film, the first magnetic body, the insulating layer and the second magnetic body being sequentially stacked in the stated order, wherein a current flows through the magnetic tunnel junction to change a magnetization direction of the second magnetic body relative to the first magnetic body, thereby regulating a resistance value of the insulating layer; a first electrode that is provided on a side of the first magnetic body; a second electrode that is provided on a side of the second magnetic body; and a thermal expansion layer that is disposed in contact with the magnetic tunnel junction, the second magnetic body being deformed in a direction in which a cross section thereof increases by thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer due to heat generated by a flow of said current, thereby reducing a switching current threshold value required to change said magnetization direction.