Magnetic shift register with shiftable magnetic domains between two regions, and method of using the same
US7031178B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01F41/26
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetic shift register uses the inherent, natural properties of domain walls in magnetic materials to store data. The shift register uses spin electronics without changing the physical nature of its constituent materials. The shift register comprises a fine track or strip of magnetic materials. Information is stored as domain walls in the track. An electric current is applied to the track to move the magnetic moments along the track past a reading or writing device. In a magnetic material with domain walls, a current passed across the domain wall moves the domain wall in the direction of the current flow. As the current passes through a domain, it becomes “spin polarized”. When this spin polarized current passes through the next domain and across a domain wall, it develops a circle of spin torque. This spin torque moves the domain wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.