Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetic memory

摘要

A magnetoresistance effect element and a magnetic memory having thermal stability expressed by a thermal stability factor of 70 or more even with a fine junction size. The magnetoresistance effect element includes a first magnetic layer of an invariable magnetization direction forming a reference layer, a second magnetic layer of a variable magnetization direction forming a recording layer, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers in a thickness direction of the first and second magnetic layers. At least one of the first and second magnetic layers has the following relationship between D (nm) and t (nm): D<0.9t+13, where D is a junction size corresponding to the length of a longest straight line on an end surface perpendicular to the thickness direction, and t is a layer thickness. The junction size is 30 nm or less.

主权项

1. A magnetoresistance effect element comprising a first magnetic layer of a fixed magnetization direction that is either an upward direction or a downward direction in a thickness direction, a second magnetic layer of a variable magnetization direction that can be varied upwardly or downwardly in a thickness direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers in a thickness direction of the first and second magnetic layers,
wherein the second magnetic layer has the following relationship between D (nm) and t (nm):
D<0.9t+13, where D is a junction size corresponding to the length of a longest straight line on an end surface perpendicular to the thickness direction, and t is its layer thickness.