Patents by Inventor Daniel C. Worledge

Daniel C. Worledge 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).

  • Publication number: 20180240508
    Abstract: A magneto-resistance random access memory (MRAM) cell includes a transistor, a wire and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes a fixed layer of fixed magnetic polarity electrically connected with the transistor, a free layer of variable magnetic polarity electrically connected with the wire and an insulator between the fixed and free layers. First current passed through the wire destabilizes the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer. Second current passed through the transistor in one of two directions during first current passage through the wire directs the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer toward a parallel or anti-parallel condition with respect to the fixed magnetic polarity of the fixed layer. A ceasing of the first current prior to a ceasing of the second current sets the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer in the parallel or anti-parallel condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: LUQIAO LIU, JONATHAN Z. SUN, DANIEL C. WORLEDGE
  • Publication number: 20180195168
    Abstract: A method for forming metal on a dielectric includes forming a seed layer on a surface including a reactant element. A first metal layer is formed on the seed layer wherein the first metal layer wets the seed layer. A second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer wherein the second metal layer wets the first metal layer. Diffuse the reactant element of the seed layer into the first metal layer by annealing to convert the first metal layer to a dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 10003016
    Abstract: A magnetic material includes a cobalt layer between opposing iron layers. The iron layers include iron and are body-centered cubic (BCC), the cobalt layer comprises cobalt and is BCC or amorphous, and the magnetic material has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9963780
    Abstract: A method for forming metal on a dielectric includes forming a seed layer on a surface including a reactant element. A first metal layer is formed on the seed layer wherein the first metal layer wets the seed layer. A second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer wherein the second metal layer wets the first metal layer. Diffuse the reactant element of the seed layer into the first metal layer by annealing to convert the first metal layer to a dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9960348
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cell that includes a reference layer formed from a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) reference layer and an interfacial reference layer. The MTJ further includes a free layer and a tunnel barrier positioned between the interfacial reference layer and the free layer. The tunnel barrier is configured to enable electrons to tunnel through the tunnel barrier between the interfacial reference layer and the free layer. A first in-situ alignment is provided between a tunnel barrier lattice structure of the tunnel barrier and an interfacial reference layer lattice structure of the interfacial reference layer. A second in-situ alignment is provided between the tunnel barrier lattice structure of the tunnel barrier and a free layer lattice structure of the free layer. The PMA reference layer lattice structure is not aligned with the interfacial reference layer lattice structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9947383
    Abstract: A magneto-resistance random access memory (MRAM) cell includes a transistor, a wire and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes a fixed layer of fixed magnetic polarity electrically connected with the transistor, a free layer of variable magnetic polarity electrically connected with the wire and an insulator between the fixed and free layers. First current passed through the wire destabilizes the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer. Second current passed through the transistor in one of two directions during first current passage through the wire directs the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer toward a parallel or anti-parallel condition with respect to the fixed magnetic polarity of the fixed layer. A ceasing of the first current prior to a ceasing of the second current sets the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer in the parallel or anti-parallel condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luqiao Liu, Jonathan Z. Sun, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9941463
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sensor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a detector region electrically coupled between the first electrode region and the second electrode region. The detector region includes a first layer having a topological insulator. The topological insulator includes a conducting path along a surface of the topological insulator, and the detector region further includes a second layer having a first insulating magnetic coupler, wherein a magnetic field applied to the detector region changes a resistance of the conducting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Joel D. Chudow, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9941469
    Abstract: A memory device that includes a first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer present on a first non-magnetic metal electrode, and a free magnetic metal layer present on the first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer. A second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer may be present on the free magnetic metal layer, and a second non-magnetic metal electrode may be present on the second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier. The first and second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layers are arranged so that their magnetizations are aligned to be anti-parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20180097174
    Abstract: A spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junction includes a layer stack with a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer, and an insulating barrier layer there-between. Each of the magnetic layers has an out-of-plane magnetization orientation. The junction is configured so as to allow a spin-polarized current flow generated from one of the two magnetic layers to the other to initiate an asymmetrical switching of the magnetization orientation of the free layer. The switching is off-centered toward an edge of the stack. The junction may allow a spin-polarized current flow that is off-centered toward an edge of the stack, from one of the two magnetic layers to the other, to initiate the asymmetrical switching. Related devices and methods of operation are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Rolf Allenspach, Anthony J. Annunziata, Daniel C. Worledge, See-Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 9917247
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for fabricating a thermally assisted magnetoresistive random access memory device. A bottom thermal barrier is formed on a bottom contact. A magnetic tunnel junction is formed on the bottom thermal barrier. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a top ferromagnetic layer formed on a tunnel barrier. The tunnel barrier is formed on a bottom ferromagnetic layer. A top thermal barrier is formed on the top ferromagnetic layer. A top contact is formed on the top thermal barrier. The top contact is reduced to a first diameter. The tunnel barrier and the bottom ferromagnetic layer each have a second diameter. The first diameter of the top contact is smaller than the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, CROCUS TECHNOLOGY SA
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Lucian Prejbeanu, Philip L. Trouilloud, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9911483
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) storage element having a reference layer formed from a reference layer material having a fixed magnetization direction, along with a free layer formed from a free layer material having a switchable magnetization direction. The MTJ is configured to receive a write pulse having a write-pulse and spin-transfer-torque (WP-STT) start time, a WP-STT start segment duration and a write pulse duration. The WP-STT start segment duration is less than the write pulse duration. The fixed magnetization direction is configured to form an angle between the fixed magnetization direction and the switchable magnetization direction. The angle is sufficient to generate spin torque electrons in the reference layer material at the WP-STT start time. The spin torque electrons generated in the reference layer material is sufficient to initiate switching of the switchable magnetization direction at the WP-STT start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20180062073
    Abstract: A memory device that includes a first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer present on a first non-magnetic metal electrode, and a free magnetic metal layer present on the first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer. A second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer may be present on the free magnetic metal layer, and a second non-magnetic metal electrode may be present on the second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier. The first and second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layers are arranged so that their magnetizations are aligned to be anti-parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9892840
    Abstract: Magnetoresistive random access memory devices include a first magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer formed on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer formed on the tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier includes first regions having a first thickness and second regions having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The tunnel barrier layer includes a first barrier layer formed from a first material and a second barrier layer formed from a second material different from the first material, the second layer being present only in the second regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9853208
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cell that includes a reference layer formed from a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) reference layer and an interfacial reference layer. The MTJ further includes a free layer and a tunnel barrier positioned between the interfacial reference layer and the free layer. The tunnel barrier is configured to enable electrons to tunnel through the tunnel barrier between the interfacial reference layer and the free layer. A first in-situ alignment is provided between a tunnel barrier lattice structure of the tunnel barrier and an interfacial reference layer lattice structure of the interfacial reference layer. A second in-situ alignment is provided between the tunnel barrier lattice structure of the tunnel barrier and a free layer lattice structure of the free layer. The PMA reference layer lattice structure is not aligned with the interfacial reference layer lattice structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9853205
    Abstract: A spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junction includes a layer stack with a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer, and an insulating barrier layer there-between. Each of the magnetic layers has an out-of-plane magnetization orientation. The junction is configured so as to allow a spin-polarized current flow generated from one of the two magnetic layers to the other to initiate an asymmetrical switching of the magnetization orientation of the free layer. The switching is off-centered toward an edge of the stack. The junction may allow a spin-polarized current flow that is off-centered toward an edge of the stack, from one of the two magnetic layers to the other, to initiate the asymmetrical switching. Related devices and methods of operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rolf Allenspach, Anthony J. Annunziata, Daniel C. Worledge, See-Hun Yang
  • Publication number: 20170352803
    Abstract: A memory device that includes a first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer present on a first non-magnetic metal electrode, and a free magnetic metal layer present on the first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer. A second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer may be present on the free magnetic metal layer, and a second non-magnetic metal electrode may be present on the second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier. The first and second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layers are arranged so that their magnetizations are aligned to be anti-parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170338407
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to STT MRAM devices. One embodiment of an STT MRAM device includes a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a free layer and one or more conductive vias. The reference layer is configured to have a fixed magnetic moment. In addition, the tunnel barrier layer is configured to enable electrons to tunnel between the reference layer and the free layer through the tunnel barrier layer. The free layer is disposed beneath the tunnel barrier layer and is configured to have an adaptable magnetic moment for the storage of data. The conductive via is disposed beneath the free layer and is connected to an electrode. Further, the conductive via has a width that is smaller than a width of the free layer such that a width of an active STT area for the storage of data in the free layer is defined by the width of the conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL C. GAIDIS, JANUSZ J. NOWAK, DANIEL C. WORLEDGE
  • Patent number: 9823858
    Abstract: A method for memory management includes streaming bits to a memory buffer on a memory device using a write data channel that optimizes a speed of writing to the memory devices. The bits are written to non-volatile memory cells in the memory device at a first speed, using a bi-directional bus. Bits are read from the memory device over a read channel to provide reads at a second speed that is slower than the first speed, using the bi-directional bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. DeBrosse, Blake G. Fitch, Michele M. Franceschini, Todd E. Takken, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170323676
    Abstract: Techniques for writing magnetic random access memory (MRAM) using the spin hall effect with a self-reference read are provided. In one aspect, an MRAM device is provided. The MRAM device includes: a plurality of first spin hall wires oriented orthogonal to a plurality of second spin hall wires; a plurality of magnetic memory cells configured in an array between the first spin hall wires and the second spin hall wires; and a plurality of transistors connected to the magnetic memory cells by the first spin hall wires. Methods of operating an MRAM device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170317270
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for a thermally assisted magnetoresistive random access memory device (TAS-MRAM). A storage layer has an anisotropic axis, in which the storage layer is configured to store a state in off axis positions and on axis positions. The off axis positions are not aligned with the anisotropic axis. A tunnel barrier is disposed on top of the storage layer. A ferromagnetic sense layer is disposed on top of the tunnel barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Lucian Prejbeanu, Philip L. Trouilloud, Daniel C. Worledge