Patent · US Active

Field assisted switching of a magnetic memory element

US8422277B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 4, 2010
Grant dateApr 16, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 1, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C11/1675
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Method and apparatus for writing data to a magnetic memory element, such as a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) memory cell. In accordance with various embodiments, a write current is applied through a magnetic memory element to initiate magnetic precession of the element to a desired magnetic state. A flow of a field assist current is subsequently initiated adjacent the magnetic memory element during continued application of the write current to induce a magnetic field upon the element. The field assist current persists after the write current is terminated to provide field assisted precession to the desired magnetic state.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.