2014-322 MAGNETIC MEMORY BITS WITH PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIZATION SWITCHED BY CURRENT-INDUCED SPIN-ORBIT TORQUES

Magnetic Memory Bits with Perpendicular Magnetization Switched By Current-Induced Spin-Orbit Torques

Tech ID: 30203 / UC Case 2014-322-0

 

SUMMARY

UCLA researchers in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have developed a novel spin-orbit-torque (SOT)-controlled magnetic random access memory driven by in-plane currents.

 

BACKGROUND

Magnetization switching by current-induced spin-orbit torques (SOTs) has been attracting great attention for its potential applications in ultra low power memory and logic devices. The use of SOTs in nonmagnetic metal/ferromagnet/insulator structures allows for a significantly lower write current compared to regular spin-transfer-torque (STT) devices. It can also greatly improve the energy efficiency and scalability for new SOT-based devices such as magnetic random access memory (SOT-MRAM). However, practical use of SOT effects is limited by its requirement of an in-plane external magnetic field, in order to switch ferromagnets with a perpendicular (out-of-plane) magnetization.

 

INNOVATION

Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel nonmagnetic metal/ferromagnet/insulator structure which provides a SOT, resulting in zero-field current-induced switching of perpendicular magnetization. The device consists of a ferromagnetic free layer, a ferromagnetic fixed layer, a dielectric tunnel barrier, and a high-spin-orbit-coupling material, and has a structural mirror asymmetry along the in-plane direction. The lateral structural asymmetry effectively replaces the role of the external in-plane magnetic field and eliminates the use of external magnetic fields, bringing SOT-based spintronic devices such as SOT-MRAM closer to practical application.

 

APPLICATIONS

Serves as building blocks for SOT-controlled magnetic random access memory (SOT-MRAM)

Memory applications to provide high integration density

Layers of SOT-MRAM may be stacked to increase larger effective density

 

ADVANTAGES

No need for any magnetic bias field

Reduced design complexity

More practical for wide application

 

STATE OF DEVELOPMENT

The described SOT structure has been tested experimentally.

 

PATENT STATUS

Country       Type       Number       Dated       Case

United States Of America       Issued Patent       9,343,658       05/17/2016       2014-322

 

Patent Information:
For More Information:
Joel Kehle
Business Development Officer
joel.kehle@tdg.ucla.edu
Inventors:
Kang Wang