Abstract: Provided are a magnetic memory element in which an improvement in properties, such as an improvement in coercive properties or a reduction in a leak current, can be attained, a method for producing the same, and a magnetic memory. The magnetic memory element, includes: a columnar stack ST in which a reference layer FX having a fixed magnetization direction, a barrier layer TL including a non-magnetic body, and a recording layer FR having a reversible magnetization direction are stacked in this order; and an insulating film which contains nitrogen and is provided to cover a lateral surface of the columnar stack, in which in one or both of the recording layer and the barrier layer, a nitrogen concentration is 7×1030 atoms/m2 or more in a position of 2 nm inside from an outer circumferential end of the columnar stack.

Abstract: A structure used in the formation of a spintronics element, the spintronics element to include a plurality of laminated layers, includes a substrate, a plurality of laminated layers formed on the substrate, an uppermost layer of the plurality of laminated layers being a non-magnetic layer containing oxygen, and a protection layer directly formed on the uppermost layer, the protection layer preventing alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer while exposed in an atmosphere including H2O, a partial pressure of H2O in the atmosphere being equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa, no other layer being directly formed on the protection layer.

Abstract: An evaluation method for an electronic device provided with an insulating film between a pair of electrode layers includes preparing a sample that has a tunnel barrier insulating film as the insulating film; irradiating the sample with electron beams from a plurality of angles to acquire a plurality of images; and performing image processing using the plurality of images to reconstruct a stereoscopic image and generate a cross-sectional image of the sample from the stereoscopic image.

Abstract: [Problem] Provided are a magnetic memory element in which an improvement in properties, such as an improvement in coercive properties or a reduction in a leak current, can be attained, a method for producing the same, and a magnetic memory. [Means for Resolution] The magnetic memory element, includes: a columnar stack ST in which a reference layer FX having a fixed magnetization direction, a barrier layer TL including a non-magnetic body, and a recording layer FR having a reversible magnetization direction are stacked in this order; and an insulating film (a second insulating film 20) which contains nitrogen and is provided to cover a lateral surface of the columnar stack, in which in one or both of the recording layer and the barrier layer, a nitrogen concentration is 7×1030 atoms/m2 or more in a position of 2 nm inside from an outer circumferential end of the columnar stack.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface of the layers. An atomic fraction of all magnetic elements to all magnetic and non-magnetic elements included in the second magnetic layer is smaller than that of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic memory includes: forming a magnetic film having a non-magnetic layer between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate having an electrode layer; performing annealing treatment at a first treatment temperature in a state where a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the first or the second magnetic layer in vacuum; forming a magnetic tunnel junction element; forming a protective film protecting the magnetic tunnel junction element; a formation accompanied by thermal history, in which a constituent element of a magnetic memory is formed after the protective film formation on the substrate; and implementing annealing treatment at a second treatment temperature lower than the first treatment temperature on the substrate in an annealing treatment chamber, in vacuum or inert gas wherein no magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: A structure used in the formation of a spintronics element, the spintronics element to include a plurality of laminated layers, includes a substrate, a plurality of laminated layers formed on the substrate, an uppermost layer of the plurality of laminated layers being a non-magnetic layer containing oxygen, and a protection layer directly formed on the uppermost layer, the protection layer preventing alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer while exposed in an atmosphere including H2O, a partial pressure of H2O in the atmosphere being equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa, no other layer being directly formed on the protection layer.

Abstract: An evaluation method for an electronic device provided with an insulating film between a pair of electrode layers includes preparing a sample that has a tunnel barrier insulating film as the insulating film; irradiating the sample with electron beams from a plurality of angles to acquire a plurality of images; and performing image processing using the plurality of images to reconstruct a stereoscopic image and generate a cross-sectional image of the sample from the stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A spintronics element including a ferromagnetic layer containing boron, and a diffusion stopper film covering a side face of the ferromagnetic layer partially or entirely, the side face in direct contact with diffusion stopper film, so as to prevent out-diffusion of the boron contained in the ferromagnetic layer. The diffusion stopper film contains boron at a concentration higher than a concentration of the boron in a portion of the ferromagnetic layer where the ferromagnetic layer contacts the diffusion stopper film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spintronics element from laminated layers. The method includes (a) forming a plurality of laminated layers in manufacturing equipment, (b) forming a wafer in the manufacturing equipment, including applying a protection layer directly on a non-magnetic uppermost layer of the laminated layers so that the protection layer prevents alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer, and (c) exposing the wafer, outside of the manufacturing equipment, to an atmosphere that includes H2O having a partial pressure in the atmosphere equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa.

Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic memory includes: forming a magnetic film having a non-magnetic layer between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate having an electrode layer; performing annealing treatment at a first treatment temperature in a state where a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the first or the second magnetic layer in vacuum; forming a magnetic tunnel junction element; forming a protective film protecting the magnetic tunnel junction element; a formation accompanied by thermal history, in which a constituent element of a magnetic memory is formed after the protective film formation on the substrate; and implementing annealing treatment at a second treatment temperature lower than the first treatment temperature on the substrate in an annealing treatment chamber, in vacuum or inert gas wherein no magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface of the layers. An atomic fraction of all magnetic elements to all magnetic and non-magnetic elements included in the second magnetic layer is smaller than that of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface if the layers. The second magnetic layer has a saturation magnetization lower than that of the first magnetic layer, and an interfacial magnetic anisotropy energy density (Ki) at the interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer is greater than that of an interface between the first non-magnetic layer and second magnetic layers if being disposed adjacent each other.

Abstract: A spintronics element including a ferromagnetic layer containing boron, and a diffusion stopper film covering a side face of the ferromagnetic layer partially or entirely, the side face in direct contact with diffusion stopper film, so as to prevent out-diffusion of the boron contained in the ferromagnetic layer. The diffusion stopper film contains boron at a concentration higher than a concentration of the boron in a portion of the ferromagnetic layer where the ferromagnetic layer contacts the diffusion stopper film.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface if the layers. The second magnetic layer has a saturation magnetization lower than that of the first magnetic layer, and an interfacial magnetic anisotropy energy density (Ki) at the interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer is greater than that of an interface between the first non-magnetic layer and second magnetic layers if being disposed adjacent each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spintronics element from laminated layers. The method includes (a) forming a plurality of laminated layers in manufacturing equipment, (b) forming a wafer in the manufacturing equipment, including applying a protection layer directly on a non-magnetic uppermost layer of the laminated layers so that the protection layer prevents alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer, and (c) exposing the wafer, outside of the manufacturing equipment, to an atmosphere that includes H2O having a partial pressure in the atmosphere equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display device 1 displays a video around a vehicle and travel information of the vehicle on a single display unit 20. The on-vehicle display device 1 includes video display enable/disable input units 11, 12, 13, and 14 inputting display enable/disable of the video around the vehicle, display modification units 30 and 40 modifying the display size of each of a video display section and a travel information display section on the basis of the input video display enable/disable, and an input prediction unit 30 predicting input of display enable/disable of the video around the vehicle. Even when video display disable is input from a video display enable/disable input unit, if the input prediction unit 30 predicts input of video display enable, the display modification units 30 and 40 do not modify the display size of each of the video display section and the travel information display section.

Abstract: An energization control apparatus includes a control portion, a disconnection detecting portion, and a prohibiting portion. The control portion controls energization to a plurality of loads coupled in parallel. The disconnection detecting portion repeatedly or continuously determines whether a supply current to the plurality of loads is less than a threshold value when the control portion energizes the plurality of loads, and the disconnection detecting portion detects a disconnection of a part of the plurality of loads when the supply current is less than the threshold value. The prohibiting portion prohibits a disconnection detection by the disconnection detecting portion for a predetermined period since the control portion starts to energize the plurality of loads, and the prohibiting portion enables the disconnection detection by the disconnection detecting portion after the predetermined period elapses.

Abstract: A meter system includes: an indicator including a pointer, a step motor, a stopper mechanism and a driving controller; and a flasher function unit including a flasher switch, a flasher and a flasher controller. The driving controller has: a stopper position detection operation executing element for executing a pointer moving away operation when a stopper position detection operation executing condition is satisfied and for executing a voltage detection type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch does not turn on and off, and a zero point return enforcement type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch turns on and off; a zero point setting element; and an applying element for applying the driving signal having the zero point.

Abstract: An energization control apparatus includes a control portion, a disconnection detecting portion, and a prohibiting portion. The control portion controls energization to a plurality of loads coupled in parallel. The disconnection detecting portion repeatedly or continuously determines whether a supply current to the plurality of loads is less than a threshold value when the control portion energizes the plurality of loads, and the disconnection detecting portion detects a disconnection of a part of the plurality of loads when the supply current is less than the threshold value. The prohibiting portion prohibits a disconnection detection by the disconnection detecting portion for a predetermined period since the control portion starts to energize the plurality of loads, and the prohibiting portion enables the disconnection detection by the disconnection detecting portion after the predetermined period elapses.