Patents by Inventor Witold Kula
Witold Kula has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20190305211Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material, a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material, and a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode comprises a synthetic antiferromagnetic construction comprising two spaced magnetic regions one of which is closer to the tunnel insulator material than is the other. The one magnetic region comprises a polarizer region comprising CoxFeyBz where “x” is from 0 to 90, “y” is from 10 to 90, and “z” is from 10 to 50. The CoxFeyBz is directly against the tunnel insulator. A non-magnetic region comprising an Os-containing material is between the two spaced magnetic regions. The other magnetic region comprises a magnetic Co-containing material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Witold Kula, Manzar Siddik, Suresh Ramarajan, Jonathan D. Harms
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Patent number: 10396278Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20190252602Abstract: A magnetic cell includes a free region between an intermediate oxide region (e.g., a tunnel barrier) and a secondary oxide region. Both oxide regions may be configured to induce magnetic anisotropy (“MA”) with the free region, enhancing the MA strength of the free region. A getter material proximate to the secondary oxide region is formulated and configured to remove oxygen from the secondary oxide region, reducing an oxygen concentration and an electrical resistance of the secondary oxide region. Thus, the secondary oxide region contributes only minimally to the electrical resistance of the cell core. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable a high effective magnetoresistance, low resistance area product, and low programming voltage along with the enhanced MA strength. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10374149Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material, a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material, and a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode comprises a synthetic antiferromagnetic construction comprising two spaced magnetic regions one of which is closer to the tunnel insulator material than is the other. The one magnetic region comprises a polarizer region comprising CoxFeyBz where “x” is from 0 to 90, “y” is from 10 to 90, and “z” is from 10 to 50. The CoxFeyBz is directly against the tunnel insulator. A non-magnetic region comprising an Os-containing material is between the two spaced magnetic regions. The other magnetic region comprises a magnetic Co-containing material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Witold Kula, Manzar Siddik, Suresh Ramarajan, Jonathan D. Harms
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Patent number: 10290799Abstract: A magnetic cell includes a free region between an intermediate oxide region (e.g., a tunnel barrier) and a secondary oxide region. Both oxide regions may be configured to induce magnetic anisotropy (“MA”) with the free region, enhancing the MA strength of the free region. A getter material proximate to the secondary oxide region is formulated and configured to remove oxygen from the secondary oxide region, reducing an oxygen concentration and an electrical resistance of the secondary oxide region. Thus, the secondary oxide region contributes only minimally to the electrical resistance of the cell core. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable a high effective magnetoresistance, low resistance area product, and low programming voltage along with the enhanced MA strength. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10276781Abstract: Magnetic memory cells, methods of fabrication, semiconductor device structures, and memory systems are disclosed. A magnetic cell core includes at least one magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region) configured to exhibit a vertical magnetic orientation, at least one oxide-based region, which may be a tunnel junction region or an oxide capping region, and at least one magnetic interface region, which may comprise or consist of iron (Fe). In some embodiments, the magnetic interface region is spaced from at least one oxide-based region by a magnetic region. The presence of the magnetic interface region enhances the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) strength of the magnetic cell core. In some embodiments, the PMA strength may be enhanced more than 50% compared to that of the same magnetic cell core structure lacking the magnetic interface region.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Sunil Murthy, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20190097125Abstract: Magnetic memory cells, methods of fabrication, semiconductor device structures, and memory systems are disclosed. A magnetic cell core includes at least one magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region) configured to exhibit a vertical magnetic orientation, at least one oxide-based region, which may be a tunnel junction region or an oxide capping region, and at least one magnetic interface region, which may comprise or consist of iron (Fe). In some embodiments, the magnetic interface region is spaced from at least one oxide-based region by a magnetic region. The presence of the magnetic interface region enhances the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) strength of the magnetic cell core. In some embodiments, the PMA strength may be enhanced more than 50% compared to that of the same magnetic cell core structure lacking the magnetic interface region.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Wei Chen, Sunil Murthy, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20190027681Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes at least one stressor structure proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region). The magnetic region may be formed of a magnetic material exhibiting magnetostriction. During switching, the stressor structure may be subjected to a programming current passing through the magnetic cell core. In response to the current, the stressor structure may alter in size. Due to the size change, the stressor structure may exert a stress upon the magnetic region and, thereby, alter its magnetic anisotropy. In some embodiments, the MA strength of the magnetic region may be lowered during switching so that a lower programming current may be used to switch the magnetic orientation of the free region. In some embodiments, multiple stressor structures may be included in the magnetic cell core. Methods of fabrication and operation and related device structures and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10164168Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells, magnetic memory cell structures, and arrays of magnetic memory cell structures are disclosed. Embodiments of the methods include patterning a precursor structure to form a stepped structure including at least an upper discrete feature section and a lower feature section with a broader width, length, or both than the upper discrete feature section. The method uses patterning acts directed along a first axis, e.g., an x-axis, and then along a second axis, e.g., a y-axis, that is perpendicular to or about perpendicular to the first axis. The patterning acts may therefore allow for more uniformity between a plurality of formed, neighboring cell core structures, even at dimensions below about thirty nanometers. Magnetic memory structures and memory cell arrays are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula, Wayne I. Kinney
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Publication number: 20180366516Abstract: Memory cells are disclosed. Magnetic regions within the memory cells include an alternating structure of magnetic sub-regions and coupler sub-regions. The coupler material of the coupler sub-regions antiferromagnetically couples neighboring magnetic sub-regions and effects or encourages a vertical magnetic orientation exhibited by the neighboring magnetic sub-regions. Neighboring magnetic sub-regions, spaced from one another by a coupler sub-region, exhibit oppositely directed magnetic orientations. The magnetic and coupler sub-regions may each be of a thickness tailored to form the magnetic region in a compact structure. Interference between magnetic dipole fields emitted from the magnetic region on switching of a free region in the memory cell may be reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures, spin torque transfer magnetic random-access memory (STT-MRAM) systems, and methods of fabrication.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Wayne I. Kinney, Witold Kula, Stephen J. Kramer
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Patent number: 10121824Abstract: Memory cells are disclosed. Magnetic regions within the memory cells include an alternating structure of magnetic sub-regions and coupler sub-regions. The coupler material of the coupler sub-regions antiferromagnetically couples neighboring magnetic sub-regions and effects or encourages a vertical magnetic orientation exhibited by the neighboring magnetic sub-regions. Neighboring magnetic sub-regions, spaced from one another by a coupler sub-region, exhibit oppositely directed magnetic orientations. The magnetic and coupler sub-regions may each be of a thickness tailored to form the magnetic region in a compact structure. Interference between magnetic dipole fields emitted from the magnetic region on switching of a free region in the memory cell may be reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures, spin torque transfer magnetic random-access memory (STT-MRAM) systems, and methods of fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wayne I. Kinney, Witold Kula, Stephen J. Kramer
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Publication number: 20180294403Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material, a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material, and a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode comprises a synthetic antiferromagnetic construction comprising two spaced magnetic regions one of which is closer to the tunnel insulator material than is the other. The one magnetic region comprises a polarizer region comprising CoxFeyBz where “x” is from 0 to 90, “y” is from 10 to 90, and “z” is from 10 to 50. The CoxFeyBz is directly against the tunnel insulator. A non-magnetic region comprising an Os-containing material is between the two spaced magnetic regions. The other magnetic region comprises a magnetic Co-containing material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Witold Kula, Manzar Siddik, Suresh Ramarajan, Jonathan D. Harms
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Publication number: 20180287053Abstract: A magnetic cell includes a free region between an intermediate oxide region (e.g., a tunnel barrier) and a secondary oxide region. Both oxide regions may be configured to induce magnetic anisotropy (“MA”) with the free region, enhancing the MA strength of the free region. A getter material proximate to the secondary oxide region is formulated and configured to remove oxygen from the secondary oxide region, reducing an oxygen concentration and an electrical resistance of the secondary oxide region. Thus, the secondary oxide region contributes only minimally to the electrical resistance of the cell core. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable a high effective magnetoresistance, low resistance area product, and low programming voltage along with the enhanced MA strength. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10090457Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes at least one stressor structure proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region). The magnetic region may be formed of a magnetic material exhibiting magnetostriction. During switching, the stressor structure may be subjected to a programming current passing through the magnetic cell core. In response to the current, the stressor structure may alter in size. Due to the size change, the stressor structure may exert a stress upon the magnetic region and, thereby, alter its magnetic anisotropy. In some embodiments, the MA strength of the magnetic region may be lowered during switching so that a lower programming current may be used to switch the magnetic orientation of the free region. In some embodiments, multiple stressor structures may be included in the magnetic cell core. Methods of fabrication and operation and related device structures and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20180277752Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10062835Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material, a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material, and a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode comprises a synthetic antiferromagnetic construction comprising two spaced magnetic regions one of which is closer to the tunnel insulator material than is the other. The one magnetic region comprises a polarizer region comprising CoxFeyBz where “x” is from 0 to 90, “y” is from 10 to 90, and “z” is from 10 to 50. The CoxFeyBz is directly against the tunnel insulator. A non-magnetic region comprising an Os-containing material is between the two spaced magnetic regions. The other magnetic region comprises a magnetic Co-containing material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Witold Kula, Manzar Siddik, Suresh Ramarajan, Jonathan D. Harms
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Publication number: 20180233657Abstract: Magnetic memory cells, methods of fabrication, semiconductor device structures, and memory systems are disclosed. A magnetic cell core includes at least one magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region) configured to exhibit a vertical magnetic orientation, at least one oxide-based region, which may be a tunnel junction region or an oxide capping region, and at least one magnetic interface region, which may comprise or consist of iron (Fe). In some embodiments, the magnetic interface region is spaced from at least one oxide-based region by a magnetic region. The presence of the magnetic interface region enhances the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) strength of the magnetic cell core. In some embodiments, the PMA strength may be enhanced more than 50% compared to that of the same magnetic cell core structure lacking the magnetic interface region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Wei Chen, Sunil Murthy, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10020446Abstract: A magnetic cell includes a free region between an intermediate oxide region (e.g., a tunnel barrier) and a secondary oxide region. Both oxide regions may be configured to induce magnetic anisotropy (“MA”) with the free region, enhancing the MA strength of the free region. A getter material proximate to the secondary oxide region is formulated and configured to remove oxygen from the secondary oxide region, reducing an oxygen concentration and an electrical resistance of the secondary oxide region. Thus, the secondary oxide region contributes only minimally to the electrical resistance of the cell core. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable a high effective magnetoresistance, low resistance area product, and low programming voltage along with the enhanced MA strength. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 10014466Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20180145112Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes a seed region with a plurality of magnetic regions and a plurality of nonmagnetic regions thereover. The seed region provides a template that enables formation of an overlying nonmagnetic region with a microstructure that enables formation of an overlying free region with a desired crystal structure. The free region is disposed between two nonmagnetic regions, which may both be configured to induce surface/interface magnetic anisotropy. The structure is therefore configured to have a high magnetic anisotropy strength, a high energy barrier ratio, high tunnel magnetoresistance, a low programming current, low cell-to-cell electrical resistance variation, and low cell-to-cell variation in magnetic properties. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2018Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Witold Kula, Wayne I. Kinney, Gurtej S. Sandhu