Abstract: A magnetic junction and method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes free and pinned layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The pinned layer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) energy greater than its out-of-plane demagnetization energy. Providing the pinned layer includes providing a bulk PMA (B-PMA) layer, providing an interfacial PMA (I-PMA) layer on the B-PMA layer and then providing a sacrificial layer that is a sink for a constituent of the first I-PMA layer. An anneal is then performed. The sacrificial layer and part of the first I-PMA layer are removed after the anneal. Additional I-PMA layer(s) are provided after the removing. A remaining part of the first I-PMA layer and the additional I-PMA layer(s) have a thickness of not more than twenty Angstroms.

Abstract: A magnetic element and a magnetic memory utilizing the magnetic element are described. A contact is electrically coupled to the magnetic element. The magnetic element includes pinned, nonmagnetic spacer, and free layers and a perpendicular capping layer adjoining the free layer and the contact. The free layer has an out-of-plane demagnetization energy and a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy corresponding to a perpendicular anisotropy energy that is less than the out-of-plane demagnetization energy. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned and free layers. The perpendicular capping layer induces at least part of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The free layer is switchable between magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic element. The free layer includes ferromagnetic layers interleaved with capping layer(s) such that a ferromagnetic layer resides at an edge of the free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic junction and method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes free and pinned layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The pinned layer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) energy greater than its out-of-plane demagnetization energy. Providing the pinned layer includes providing a bulk PMA (B-PMA) layer, providing an interfacial PMA (I-PMA) layer on the B-PMA layer and then providing a sacrificial layer that is a sink for a constituent of the first I-PMA layer. An anneal is then performed. The sacrificial layer and part of the first I-PMA layer are removed after the anneal. Additional I-PMA layer(s) are provided after the removing. A remaining part of the first I-PMA layer and the additional I-PMA layer(s) have a thickness of not more than twenty Angstroms.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a reference layer. The free layer includes at least one of Fe and at least one Fe alloy. Furthermore, the free layer excludes Co. The nonmagnetic spacer layer adjoins the free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer residing between reference layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer, a pinned layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free and pinned layers. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The write current generates joule heating such that the free layer has a switching temperature greater than room temperature. The free layer includes a multilayer that is temperature sensitive and has at least one bilayer. Each bilayer includes first and second layers. The first layer includes an alloy of a magnetic transition metal and a rare earth. The second layer includes a magnetic layer. The multilayer has a room temperature coercivity and a switching temperature coercivity. The switching temperature coercivity is not more than one-half of the room temperature coercivity.

Abstract: A method for providing a dual magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and the dual magnetic junction are described. First and second nonmagnetic spacer layers, a free layer and pinned are provided. The first pinned layer, free layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer may be annealed at an anneal temperature of at least three hundred fifty degrees Celsius before a second pinned layer is provided. The second pinned layer may include Co, Fe and Tb. The nonmagnetic spacer layers are between the pinned layers and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer, a pinned layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free and pinned layers. The free layer includes at least one of a hybrid perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) structure and tetragonal bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (B-PMA) structure. At least one of the free layer and the pinned layer have a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy greater than an out-of-plane demagnetization energy. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a magnetic junction are described. A reference layer, a crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer and a free layer are provided. The crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer is continuous, has a (001) orientation and has a thickness of not more than eleven Angstroms and not less than two Angstroms. The crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer is between the free layer and the reference layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device is described. The magnetic junction includes a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, an asymmetric free layer and a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) inducing layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer is between the nonmagnetic spacer layer and the PMA inducing layer. The asymmetric free layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a first boron content and a second ferromagnetic layer having a second boron content. The second boron content is less than the first boron content. The first boron content and the second boron content are each greater than zero atomic percent. The first and second ferromagnetic layers each contain at least one of Co and CoFe. The magnetic junction is configured such that the asymmetric free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer, a pinned layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free and pinned layers. The free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The pinned layer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy greater than an out-of-plane demagnetization energy. The nonmagnetic spacer layer and the free layer are between the pinned layer and the substrate. The pinned layer has a pinned layer perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy greater than a pinned layer out-of-plane demagnetization energy and a thickness of not more than thirty Angstroms.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer, a pinned layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free and pinned layers. The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The free and pinned layers each has a layer perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy greater than an out-of-plane demagnetization energy. At least one of the pinned layer and the free layer includes a multilayer. The multilayer includes at least one bilayer. Each of the bilayer(s) has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes an alloy of a magnetic transition metal and a rare earth. The second layer includes an amorphous magnetic layer. The multilayer has a nonzero perpendicular magnetic anisotropy up to at least four hundred degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and the magnetic junction are described. The method includes providing a free layer, a pinned layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free layer and the pinned layer. The free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. At least one of the step of providing the free layer includes a first plurality of steps and the step of providing the pinned layer includes a second plurality of steps. The first and second plurality of steps include depositing a portion of a layer, depositing a sacrificial layer, annealing the portion of the magnetic junction under the sacrificial layer, and depositing a remaining portion of the layer. The layer may be the free layer, the pinned layer, or both.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device is described. The magnetic junction includes a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, an asymmetric free layer and a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) inducing layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer is between the nonmagnetic spacer layer and the PMA inducing layer. The asymmetric free layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a first boron content and a second ferromagnetic layer having a second boron content. The second boron content is less than the first boron content. The first boron content and the second boron content are each greater than zero atomic percent. The magnetic junction is configured such that the asymmetric free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device. The magnetic junction includes a first pinned layer having a first pinned layer magnetization, a first nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer having an easy axis. The first nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the first pinned layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction and such that the free layer employs precessional switching.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device are described. The magnetic junction includes a reference layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer and a free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the reference layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. A portion of the magnetic junction includes at least one magnetic substructure. The magnetic substructure includes at least one Fe layer and at least one nonmagnetic insertion layer. The at least one Fe layer shares at least one interface with the at least one nonmagnetic insertion layer. Each of the at least one nonmagnetic insertion layer consists of at least one of W, I, Hf, Bi, Zn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Os and In.

Abstract: A method for providing a dual magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and the dual magnetic junction are described. First and second nonmagnetic spacer layers, a free layer and pinned are provided. The first pinned layer, free layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer may be annealed at an anneal temperature of at least three hundred fifty degrees Celsius before a second pinned layer is provided. The second pinned layer may include Co, Fe and Tb. The nonmagnetic spacer layers are between the pinned layers and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a method for providing the magnetic junction are described. The magnetic junction includes a free layer, a pinned layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free and pinned layers. The free layer includes at least one of a hybrid perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) structure and tetragonal bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (B-PMA) structure. At least one of the free layer and the pinned layer have a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy greater than an out-of-plane demagnetization energy. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and the magnetic junction are described. A free layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer are provided. The free layer and nonmagnetic spacer layer are annealed at an anneal temperature of at least three hundred fifty degrees Celsius. A pinned layer is provided after the annealing step. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.

Abstract: A magnetic junction usable in a magnetic memory and a method for providing the magnetic memory are described. The method includes providing a pinned layer, providing an engineered nonmagnetic tunneling barrier layer, and providing a free layer. The pinned layer and the free layer each include at least one ferromagnetic layer. The engineered nonmagnetic tunneling barrier layer has a tuned resistance area product. In some aspects, the step of providing the engineered nonmagnetic tunneling barrier layer further includes radio-frequency depositing a first oxide layer, depositing a metal layer, and oxidizing the metal layer to provide a second oxide.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device are described. The magnetic junction includes a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer includes body-centered cubic Co. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.