Abstract: Provided are a magnetic tunnel junction dement suppressing diffusion and penetration of constituent elements between a hard mask film, and a magnetic tunnel junction film and a protection layer, and a method for manufacturing the magnetic tunnel junction element. The magnetic tunnel junction element has a configuration in which a non-magnetic insertion layer (7) including Ta or the like is inserted beneath a hard mask layer (8).

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus according to a first aspect of the present technology includes a photoelectric conversion section that generates and holds a charge in response to incident light, a transfer section that includes a V-NW transistor (Vertical Nano Wire transistor) and transfers the charge held in the photoelectric conversion section, and an accumulation section that includes a wiring layer connected to a drain of the transfer section including the V-NW transistor and accumulates the charge transferred by the transfer section. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor, for example.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetoresistance effect element and a magnetic memory having a shape magnetic anisotropy and using a recording layer having an anti-parallel coupling. A first magnetic layer (3) and a second magnetic layer (5) of the magnetoresistance effect element include a ferromagnetic substance, have a magnetization direction variable to the direction perpendicular to a film surface and are magnetically coupled in an anti-parallel direction, and a junction size D (nm), which is a length of the longest straight line on an end face perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first magnetic layer (3) and the second magnetic layer (5), a film thickness t1 (nm) of the first magnetic layer (3), and a film thickness t2 (nm) of the second magnetic layer (5) satisfy relationships D<t1 and D?t1 or D?t1 and D<t2.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element with a small element size can be provided which achieves both an increase in a thermal stability factor ? and a reduction in a writing current IC0 and which improves a performance index ?/IC0(?A?1) obtained by dividing the thermal stability factor ? by the writing current IC0. The magnetoresistance effect element includes a first reference layer (B1), a first junction layer (11), a first magnetic layer (21), a first non-magnetic coupling layer (31), a second magnetic layer (22), and a second junction layer (12), and a film thickness of the first non-magnetic coupling layer (31) is 0.1 nm or more and 0.3 nm or less.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element with a small element size can be provided which achieves both an increase in a thermal stability factor ? and a reduction in a writing current IC0 and which improves a performance index ?/IC0(?A?1) obtained by dividing the thermal stability factor ? by the writing current IC0. The magnetoresistance effect element includes a first reference layer (B1), a first junction layer (11), a first magnetic layer (21), a first non-magnetic coupling layer (31), a second magnetic layer (22), and a second junction layer (12), and a film thickness of the first non-magnetic coupling layer (31) is 0.1 nm or more and 0.3 nm or less.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction element (10) includes a configuration in which a reference layer (14) that includes a ferromagnetic material, a barrier layer (15) that includes O, a recording layer (16) that includes a ferromagnetic material including Co or Fe, a first protective layer (17) that includes O, and a second protective layer (18) that includes at least one of Pt, Ru, Co, Fe, CoB, FeB, or CoFeB are layered.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetoresistance effect element in which the magnetization direction of the recording layer is perpendicular to the film surface and which has a high thermal stability factor ?, and a magnetic memory. A recording layer having a configuration of first magnetic layer/first non-magnetic coupling layer/first magnetic insertion layer/second non-magnetic coupling layer/second magnetic layer is sandwiched between the first and second non-magnetic layers and stacked so that a magnetic coupling force is generated between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a magnetoresistance effect element which includes a reference layer having three or more magnetic layers and which improves a thermal stability factor ? by decreasing a write error rate using an element structure that enables a wide margin to be secured between a current at which magnetization of the reference layer is reversed and a writing current Ic of a recording layer and by reducing an effect of a stray magnetic field from the reference layer. The magnetoresistance effect element includes: a first recording layer (A1); a first non-magnetic layer (11); and a first reference layer (B1), wherein the first reference layer (B1) including n-number of a plurality of magnetic layers (21, 22, . . . , 2n) and (n?1)?number of a plurality of non-magnetic insertion layers (31, 32, . . . 3(n?1)) adjacently sandwiched by each of the plurality of magnetic layers, where n?3.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetic memory element in which an improvement in properties, such as an improvement in coercive properties or a reduction in a leak current, can be attained, a method for producing the same, and a magnetic memory. The magnetic memory element, includes: a columnar stack ST in which a reference layer FX having a fixed magnetization direction, a barrier layer TL including a non-magnetic body, and a recording layer FR having a reversible magnetization direction are stacked in this order; and an insulating film which contains nitrogen and is provided to cover a lateral surface of the columnar stack, in which in one or both of the recording layer and the barrier layer, a nitrogen concentration is 7×1030 atoms/m2 or more in a position of 2 nm inside from an outer circumferential end of the columnar stack.

Abstract: For implementation of a magnetoresistance effect element having a quadruple interface, a magnetoresistance effect element having a small resistance area product RA, a high magnetoresistance ratio, and a high effective magnetic anisotropy energy density Kefft* is provided. A magnetoresistance effect element includes a first reference layer (B1), a first junction layer (11), a first divided recording layer (2), a second junction layer (12), a second divided recording layer (3), and a third junction layer (13). The first divided recording layer (2) has a configuration having a high magnetoresistance ratio (MR ratio), and the second divided recording layer (3) has a configuration having a high effective magnetic anisotropy energy density (Kefft).

Abstract: A structure used in the formation of a spintronics element, the spintronics element to include a plurality of laminated layers, includes a substrate, a plurality of laminated layers formed on the substrate, an uppermost layer of the plurality of laminated layers being a non-magnetic layer containing oxygen, and a protection layer directly formed on the uppermost layer, the protection layer preventing alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer while exposed in an atmosphere including H2O, a partial pressure of H2O in the atmosphere being equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa, no other layer being directly formed on the protection layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element which has a high thermal stability factor ? and in which a magnetization direction of a recording layer is a perpendicular direction with respect to a film surface, and a magnetic memory including the same. Magnetic layers of a recording layer of the magnetoresistance effect element are divided into at least two, and an Fe composition with respect to a sum total of atomic fractions of magnetic elements in each magnetic layer is changed before stacking the magnetic layers.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetoresistance effect element and a magnetic memory having a shape magnetic anisotropy and using a recording layer having an anti-parallel coupling. A first magnetic layer (3) and a second magnetic layer (5) of the magnetoresistance effect element include a ferromagnetic substance, have a magnetization direction variable to the direction perpendicular to a film surface and are magnetically coupled in an anti-parallel direction, and a junction size D (nm), which is a length of the longest straight line on an end face perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first magnetic layer (3) and the second magnetic layer (5), a film thickness t1 (nm) of the first magnetic layer (3), and a film thickness t2 (nm) of the second magnetic layer (5) satisfy relationships D<t1 and D?t1 or D?t1 and D<t2.

Abstract: [Problem] Provided are a magnetic memory element in which an improvement in properties, such as an improvement in coercive properties or a reduction in a leak current, can be attained, a method for producing the same, and a magnetic memory. [Means for Resolution] The magnetic memory element, includes: a columnar stack ST in which a reference layer FX having a fixed magnetization direction, a barrier layer TL including a non-magnetic body, and a recording layer FR having a reversible magnetization direction are stacked in this order; and an insulating film (a second insulating film 20) which contains nitrogen and is provided to cover a lateral surface of the columnar stack, in which in one or both of the recording layer and the barrier layer, a nitrogen concentration is 7×1030 atoms/m2 or more in a position of 2 nm inside from an outer circumferential end of the columnar stack.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetic tunnel junction dement suppressing diffusion and penetration of constituent elements between a hard mask film, and a magnetic tunnel junction film and a protection layer, and a method for manufacturing the magnetic tunnel junction element. The magnetic tunnel junction element has a configuration in which a non-magnetic insertion layer (7) including Ta or the like is inserted beneath a hard mask layer (8).

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction element includes, in a following stack order, an underlayer formed of a metal material, a fixed layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, a magnetic coupling layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, a reference layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, a barrier layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, and a recording layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, or alternatively, the magnetic tunnel junction element includes, in a following stack order, a recording layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, a barrier layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, a reference layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, a magnetic coupling layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, an underlayer formed of a metal material, and a fixed layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, wherein the fixed layer is formed and stacked after performing plasma treatment to a surface of the underlayer having been formed.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a magnetoresistance effect element which includes a reference layer having three or more magnetic layers and which improves a thermal stability factor ? by decreasing a write error rate using an element structure that enables a wide margin to be secured between a current at which magnetization of the reference layer is reversed and a writing current Ic of a recording layer and by reducing an effect of a stray magnetic field from the reference layer. The magnetoresistance effect element includes: a first recording layer (A1); a first non-magnetic layer (11); and a first reference layer (B1), wherein the first reference layer (B1) including n-number of a plurality of magnetic layers (21, 22, . . . , 2n) and (n-1)-number of a plurality of non-magnetic insertion layers (31, 32, . . . 3(n-1)) adjacently sandwiched by each of the plurality of magnetic layers, where n?3.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction element configured by stacking, in a following stack order, a fixed layer formed of a ferromagnetic body and in which a magnetization direction is fixed, a magnetic coupling layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, a reference layer formed of a ferromagnetic body and in which the magnetization direction is fixed, a barrier layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, and a recording layer formed of a ferromagnetic body, a barrier layer formed of a nonmagnetic body, and a recording layer formed by sandwiching an insertion layer formed of a nonmagnetic body between first and second ferromagnetic layers, wherein the magnetic coupling layer is formed using a sputtering gas in which a value of a ratio in which a mass number of an element used in the magnetic coupling layer divided by the mass number of the sputtering gas itself is 2.2 or smaller.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface of the layers. An atomic fraction of all magnetic elements to all magnetic and non-magnetic elements included in the second magnetic layer is smaller than that of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic memory includes: forming a magnetic film having a non-magnetic layer between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate having an electrode layer; performing annealing treatment at a first treatment temperature in a state where a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the first or the second magnetic layer in vacuum; forming a magnetic tunnel junction element; forming a protective film protecting the magnetic tunnel junction element; a formation accompanied by thermal history, in which a constituent element of a magnetic memory is formed after the protective film formation on the substrate; and implementing annealing treatment at a second treatment temperature lower than the first treatment temperature on the substrate in an annealing treatment chamber, in vacuum or inert gas wherein no magnetic field is applied.