Patents by Inventor Chi-Feng Pai

Chi-Feng Pai 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).

  • Patent number: 12156479
    Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a spin Hall electrode (SHE). The MTJ includes a free layer, a reference layer and a barrier layer lying between the free layer and the reference layer. The SHE is in contact with the MTJ, and configured to convert a charge current to a spin current for programming the MTJ. The SHE is formed of an alloy comprising at least one heavy metal element and at least one light transition metal element. The heavy metal element is selected from metal elements with one or more valence electrons filling in 5d orbitals, and the light transition metal element is selected from transition metal elements with one or more valence electrons partially filling in 3d orbitals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Lin Huang, MingYuan Song, Chien-Min Lee, Shy-Jay Lin, Chi-Feng Pai, Chen-Yu Hu, Chao-Chung Huang, Kuan-Hao Chen, Chia-Chin Tsai, Yu-Fang Chiu, Cheng-Wei Peng
  • Publication number: 20240389472
    Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a spin Hall electrode (SHE). The MTJ includes a free layer, a reference layer and a barrier layer lying between the free layer and the reference layer. The SHE is in contact with the MTJ, and configured to convert a charge current to a spin current for programming the MTJ. The SHE is formed of an alloy comprising at least one heavy metal element and at least one light transition metal element. The heavy metal element is selected from metal elements with one or more valence electrons filling in 5 d orbitals, and the light transition metal element is selected from transition metal elements with one or more valence electrons partially filling in 3 d orbitals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Yen-Lin Huang, MingYuan Song, Chien-Min Lee, Shy-Jay Lin, Chi-Feng Pai, Chen-Yu Hu, Chao-Chung Huang, Kuan-Hao Chen, Chia-Chin Tsai, Yu-Fang Chiu, Cheng-Wei Peng
  • Publication number: 20220376170
    Abstract: A magnetic structure capable of field-free spin-orbit torque switching includes a spin-orbit coupling base layer and a ferromagnetic layer formed thereon. The spin-orbit coupling base layer is made from a particular crystal material. The ferromagnetic layer has magnetization perpendicular to a plane coupled to the spin-orbit coupling base layer, and is made from a particular ferromagnetic material with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The perpendicular magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer is switchable by an in plane current applied to the spin-orbit coupling base layer without application of an external magnetic field. A memory device and a production method regarding the magnetic structure are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Chi-Feng PAI, Tian-Yue CHEN, Wei-Bang LIAO
  • Publication number: 20220216396
    Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a spin Hall electrode (SHE). The MTJ includes a free layer, a reference layer and a barrier layer lying between the free layer and the reference layer. The SHE is in contact with the MTJ, and configured to convert a charge current to a spin current for programming the MTJ. The SHE is formed of an alloy comprising at least one heavy metal element and at least one light transition metal element. The heavy metal element is selected from metal elements with one or more valence electrons filling in 5d orbitals, and the light transition metal element is selected from transition metal elements with one or more valence electrons partially filling in 3d orbitals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Yen-Lin Huang, MingYuan Song, Chien-Min Lee, Shy-Jay Lin, Chi-Feng Pai, Chen-Yu Hu, Chao-Chung Huang, Kuan-Hao Chen, Chia-Chin Tsai, Yu-Fang Chiu, Cheng-Wei Peng
  • Patent number: 10847197
    Abstract: Devices or circuits based on spin torque transfer (STT) and Spin Hall effect are disclosed by using a spin Hall effect (SHE) metal layer coupled to a magnetic free layer for various applications. The efficiency or strength of the STT effect based on this combination of SHE and STT can be enhanced by an interface modification between the SHE metal layer and the magnetic free layer or by modifying or engineering the SHE metal layer by doping the SHE metal with certain impurities or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Minh-hai Nguyen, Chi-feng Pai, Daniel C. Ralph
  • Publication number: 20180308536
    Abstract: Devices or circuits based on spin torque transfer (STT) and Spin Hall effect are disclosed by using a spin Hall effect (SHE) metal layer coupled to a magnetic free layer for various applications. The efficiency or strength of the STT effect based on this combination of SHE and STT can be enhanced by an interface modification between the SHE metal layer and the magnetic free layer or by modifying or engineering the SHE metal layer by doping the SHE metal with certain impurities or other means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Minh-hai Nguyen, Chi-feng Pai, Daniel C. Ralph
  • Patent number: 10008248
    Abstract: Devices or circuits based on spin torque transfer (STT) and Spin Hall effect are disclosed by using a spin Hall effect (SHE) metal layer coupled to a magnetic free layer for various applications. The efficiency or strength of the STT effect based on this combination of SHE and STT can be enhanced by an interface modification between the SHE metal layer and the magnetic free layer or by modifying or engineering the SHE metal layer by doping the SHE metal with certain impurities or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert A Buhrman, Minh-hai Nguyen, Chi-feng Pai, Daniel C Ralph
  • Patent number: 9947382
    Abstract: Three-terminal magnetic circuits and devices based on the spin-transfer torque (STT) effect via a combination of injection of spin-polarized electrons or charged particles by using a charge current in a spin Hall effect metal layer coupled to a free magnetic layer and application of a gate voltage to the free magnetic layer to manipulate the magnetization of the free magnetic layer for various applications, including nonvolatile memory functions, logic functions and others. The charge current is applied to the spin Hall effect metal layer via first and second electrical terminals and the gate voltage is applied between a third electrical terminal and either of the first and second electrical terminals. The spin Hall effect metal layer can be adjacent to the free magnetic layer or in direct contact with the free magnetic layer to allow a spin-polarized current generated via a spin Hall effect under the charge current to enter the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert A Buhrman, Daniel C Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai, Luqiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20170178705
    Abstract: Devices or circuits based on spin torque transfer (STT) and Spin Hall effect are disclosed by using a spin Hall effect (SHE) metal layer coupled to a magnetic free layer for various applications. The efficiency or strength of the STT effect based on this combination of SHE and STT can be enhanced by an interface modification between the SHE metal layer and the magnetic free layer or by modifying or engineering the SHE metal layer by doping the SHE metal with certain impurities or other means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A Buhrman, Minh-hai Nguyen, Chi-feng Pai, Daniel C Ralph
  • Publication number: 20170069365
    Abstract: 3-terminal magnetic circuits and devices based on the spin-transfer torque (STT) effect via a combination of injection of spin-polarized electrons or charged particles by using a charge current in a spin Hall effect metal layer coupled to a free magnetic layer and application of a gate voltage to the free magnetic layer to manipulate the magnetization of the free magnetic layer for various applications, including non-volatile memory functions, logic functions and others. The charge current is applied to the spin Hall effect metal layer via first and second electrical terminals and the gate voltage is applied between a third electrical terminal and either of the first and second electrical terminals. The spin Hall effect metal layer can be adjacent to the free magnetic layer or in direct contact with the free magnetic layer to allow a spin-polarized current generated via a spin Hall effect under the charge current to enter the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A Buhrman, Daniel C Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai, Luqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 9576631
    Abstract: An ST-MRAM structure, a method for fabricating the ST-MRAM structure and a method for operating an ST-MRAM device that results from the ST-MRAM structure each utilize a spin Hall effect base layer that contacts a magnetic free layer and effects a magnetic moment switching within the magnetic free layer as a result of a lateral switching current within the spin Hall effect base layer. This resulting ST-MRAM device uses an independent sense current and sense voltage through a magnetoresistive stack that includes a pinned layer, a non-magnetic spacer layer and the magnetic free layer which contacts the spin Hall effect base layer. Desirable non-magnetic conductor materials for the spin Hall effect base layer include certain types of tantalum materials and tungsten materials that have a spin diffusion length no greater than about five times the thickness of the spin Hall effect base layer and a spin Hall angle at least about 0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Luqiao Liu, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai
  • Patent number: 9502087
    Abstract: 3-terminal magnetic circuits and devices based on the spin-transfer torque (STT) effect via a combination of injection of spin-polarized electrons or charged particles by using a charge current in a spin Hall effect metal layer coupled to a free magnetic layer and application of a gate voltage to the free magnetic layer to manipulate the magnetization of the free magnetic layer for various applications, including non-volatile memory functions, logic functions and others. The charge current is applied to the spin Hall effect metal layer via first and second electrical terminals and the gate voltage is applied between a third electrical terminal and either of the first and second electrical terminals. The spin Hall effect metal layer can be adjacent to the free magnetic layer or in direct contact with the free magnetic layer to allow a spin-polarized current generated via a spin Hall effect under the charge current to enter the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai, Luqiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20160196860
    Abstract: 3-terminal magnetic circuits and devices based on the spin-transfer torque (STT) effect via a combination of injection of spin-polarized electrons or charged particles by using a charge current in a spin Hall effect metal layer coupled to a free magnetic layer and application of a gate voltage to the free magnetic layer to manipulate the magnetization of the free magnetic layer for various applications, including non-volatile memory functions, logic functions and others. The charge current is applied to the spin Hall effect metal layer via first and second electrical terminals and the gate voltage is applied between a third electrical terminal and either of the first and second electrical terminals. The spin Hall effect metal layer can be adjacent to the free magnetic layer or in direct contact with the free magnetic layer to allow a spin-polarized current generated via a spin Hall effect under the charge current to enter the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai, Luqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 9230626
    Abstract: 3-terminal magnetic circuits and devices based on the spin-transfer torque (STT) effect via a combination of injection of spin-polarized electrons or charged particles by using a charge current in a spin Hall effect metal layer coupled to a free magnetic layer and application of a gate voltage to the free magnetic layer to manipulate the magnetization of the free magnetic layer for various applications, including non-volatile memory functions, logic functions and others. The charge current is applied to the spin Hall effect metal layer via first and second electrical terminals and the gate voltage is applied between a third electrical terminal and either of the first and second electrical terminals. The spin Hall effect metal layer can be adjacent to the free magnetic layer or in direct contact with the free magnetic layer to allow a spin-polarized current generated via a spin Hall effect under the charge current to enter the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai, Luqiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20150348606
    Abstract: An ST-MRAM structure, a method for fabricating the ST-MRAM structure and a method for operating an ST-MRAM device that results from the ST-MRAM structure each utilize a spin Hall effect base layer that contacts a magnetic free layer and effects a magnetic moment switching within the magnetic free layer as a result of a lateral switching current within the spin Hall effect base layer. This resulting ST-MRAM device uses an independent sense current and sense voltage through a magnetoresistive stack that includes a pinned layer, a non-magnetic spacer layer and the magnetic free layer which contacts the spin Hall effect base layer. Desirable non-magnetic conductor materials for the spin Hall effect base layer include certain types of tantalum materials and tungsten materials that have a spin diffusion length no greater than about five times the thickness of the spin Hall effect base layer and a spin Hall angle at least about 0.05.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Luqiao Liu, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai
  • Patent number: 9105832
    Abstract: An ST-MRAM structure, a method for fabricating the ST-MRAM structure and a method for operating an ST-MRAM device that results from the ST-MRAM structure each utilize a spin Hall effect base layer that contacts a magnetic free layer and effects a magnetic moment switching within the magnetic free layer as a result of a lateral switching current within the spin Hall effect base layer. This resulting ST-MRAM device uses an independent sense current and sense voltage through a magnetoresistive stack that includes a pinned layer, a non-magnetic spacer layer and the magnetic free layer which contacts the spin Hall effect base layer. Desirable non-magnetic conductor materials for the spin Hall effect base layer include certain types of tantalum materials and tungsten materials that have a spin diffusion length no greater than about five times the thickness of the spin Hall effect base layer and a spin Hall angle at least about 0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Luqiao Liu, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai
  • Publication number: 20150200003
    Abstract: 3-terminal magnetic circuits and devices based on the spin-transfer torque (STT) effect via a combination of injection of spin-polarized electrons or charged particles by using a charge current in a spin Hall effect metal layer coupled to a free magnetic layer and application of a gate voltage to the free magnetic layer to manipulate the magnetization of the free magnetic layer for various applications, including non-volatile memory functions, logic functions and others. The charge current is applied to the spin Hall effect metal layer via first and second electrical terminals and the gate voltage is applied between a third electrical terminal and either of the first and second electrical terminals. The spin Hall effect metal layer can be adjacent to the free magnetic layer or in direct contact with the free magnetic layer to allow a spin-polarized current generated via a spin Hall effect under the charge current to enter the free magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai, Luqiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20140169088
    Abstract: An ST-MRAM structure, a method for fabricating the ST-MRAM structure and a method for operating an ST-MRAM device that results from the ST-MRAM structure each utilize a spin Hall effect base layer that contacts a magnetic free layer and effects a magnetic moment switching within the magnetic free layer as a result of a lateral switching current within the spin Hall effect base layer. This resulting ST-MRAM device uses an independent sense current and sense voltage through a magnetoresistive stack that includes a pinned layer, a non-magnetic spacer layer and the magnetic free layer which contacts the spin Hall effect base layer. Desirable non-magnetic conductor materials for the spin Hall effect base layer include certain types of tantalum materials and tungsten materials that have a spin diffusion length no greater than about five times the thickness of the spin Hall effect base layer and a spin Hall angle at least about 0.05.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert A. Buhrman, Luqiao Liu, Daniel C. Ralph, Chi-Feng Pai