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).

  • Patent number: 9799826
    Abstract: Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices include a first magnetic layer. A tunnel barrier layer is formed on the first magnetic 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. A second magnetic layer is formed on the tunnel barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9792052
    Abstract: A memory includes multiple non-volatile memory devices, each having multiple nonvolatile memory cells. A write controller is configured to stream bits to the memory devices using a write data channel that optimizes a speed of writing to the memory devices to provide writes at a first speed. A read controller is configured to read bits from the memory devices, at a second speed slower than the first speed, using a read channel. A bi-directional bus that both the write controller and the self-referenced read controller share to access the plurality of non-volatile memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Debrosse, Blake G. Fitch, Michele M. Franceschini, Todd E. Takken, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9793471
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Gaidis, Janusz J. Nowak, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170294573
    Abstract: Techniques relate to forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). A synthetic antiferromagnetic reference layer is adjacent to a tunnel barrier layer. The synthetic antiferromagnetic reference layer includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a reference spacer layer sandwiched between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A magnetic free layer is adjacent to the tunnel barrier layer so as to be opposite the synthetic antiferromagnetic reference layer. The synthetic antiferromagnetic reference layer has a thickness of at least one of 3 nanometers (nm), 4 nm, and 3-4 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Younghyun Kim, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9786836
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, CROCUS TECHNOLOGY SA
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Lucian Prejbeanu, Philip L. Trouilloud, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9786837
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, CROCUS TECHNOLOGY SA
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Lucian Prejbeanu, Philip L. Trouilloud, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170287613
    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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170279035
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Joel D. Chudow, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9773971
    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: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9716221
    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: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Joel D. Chudow, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9715917
    Abstract: Magnetic memory devices having an antiferromagnetic reference layer based on Co and Ir are provided. In one aspect, a magnetic memory device includes a reference magnetic layer having multiple Co-containing layers oriented in a stack, wherein adjacent Co-containing layers in the stack are separated by an Ir-containing layer such that the adjacent Co-containing layers in the stack are anti-parallel coupled by the Ir-containing layer therebetween; and a free magnetic layer separated from the reference magnetic layer by a barrier layer. A method of writing data to a magnetic random access memory device having at least one of the present magnetic memory cells is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Luqiao Liu, Jonathan Z. Sun, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170194556
    Abstract: A method for forming a memory device that includes providing a free layer of an alloy of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and boron (B) overlying a reference layer; and forming metal layer comprising a boron (B) sink composition atop the free layer. Boron (B) may be diffused from the free layer to the metal layer comprising the boron sink composition. At least a portion of the metal layer including the boron (B) sink composition is removed. A metal oxide is formed atop the free layer. The free layer may be a crystalline cobalt and iron alloy. An interface between the metal oxide and free layer can provide perpendicular magnetic anisotropy character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen L. Brown, Guohan Hu, Jonathan Z. Sun, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170186944
    Abstract: A method of making a MRAM device includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction on an electrode, the magnetic tunnel junction comprising a reference layer positioned in contact with the electrode, a tunnel barrier layer arranged on the reference layer, and a free layer arranged on the tunnel barrier layer; and depositing an encapsulating layer on and along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction; wherein the exposing of the magnetic tunnel junction to hydrogen plasma is performed at a temperature from about 150 to about 250° C. An MRAM device including an encapsulating layer comprising either silicon nitride or aluminum oxide is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Gen P. Lauer, JungHyuk Lee, Jeong-Heon Park, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9691463
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170170391
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170159172
    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: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9660180
    Abstract: Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices include a first magnetic layer. A tunnel barrier layer is formed on the first magnetic 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. A second magnetic layer is formed on the tunnel barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 9647204
    Abstract: Magnetic memory devices having an antiferromagnetic reference layer based on Co and Ir are provided. In one aspect, a magnetic memory device includes a reference magnetic layer having multiple Co-containing layers oriented in a stack, wherein adjacent Co-containing layers in the stack are separated by an Ir-containing layer such that the adjacent Co-containing layers in the stack are anti-parallel coupled by the Ir-containing layer therebetween; and a free magnetic layer separated from the reference magnetic layer by a barrier layer. A method of writing data to a magnetic random access memory device having at least one of the present magnetic memory cells is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Luqiao Liu, Jonathan Z. Sun, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170110655
    Abstract: Magnetic memory devices having an antiferromagnetic reference layer based on Co and Ir are provided. In one aspect, a magnetic memory device includes a reference magnetic layer having multiple Co-containing layers oriented in a stack, wherein adjacent Co-containing layers in the stack are separated by an Ir-containing layer such that the adjacent Co-containing layers in the stack are anti-parallel coupled by the Ir-containing layer therebetween; and a free magnetic layer separated from the reference magnetic layer by a barrier layer. A method of writing data to a magnetic random access memory device having at least one of the present magnetic memory cells is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Guohan Hu, Luqiao Liu, Jonathan Z. Sun, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20170110506
    Abstract: A method for forming a memory device that includes providing a free layer of an alloy of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and boron (B) overlying a reference layer; and forming metal layer comprising a boron (B) sink composition atop the free layer. Boron (B) may be diffused from the free layer to the metal layer comprising the boron sink composition. At least a portion of the metal layer including the boron (B) sink composition is removed. A metal oxide is formed atop the free layer. The free layer may be a crystalline cobalt and iron alloy. An interface between the metal oxide and free layer can provide perpendicular magnetic anisotropy character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen L. Brown, Guohan Hu, Jonathan Z. Sun, Daniel C. Worledge