Patents by Inventor Minoru Amano
Minoru Amano 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).
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Publication number: 20200075671Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, and including a first main surface and a second main surface located opposite to the first main surface, a second magnetic layer provided on a first main surface side of the first magnetic layer, and having a fixed magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, wherein a saturation magnetization of a part of the first magnetic layer which is located close to the first main surface is higher than a saturation magnetization of a part of the first magnetic layer which is located close to the second main surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATIONInventors: Jyunichi OZEKI, Masahiko NAKAYAMA, Hiroaki YODA, Eiji KITAGAWA, Takao OCHIAI, Minoru AMANO, Kenji NOMA
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Patent number: 9947380Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory includes a magnetoresistive element, a reference cell, a sense amplifier comparing a first current flowing in the magnetoresistive element with a second current flowing in the reference cell, a first transistor having a first control terminal controlling a value of the first current, a second transistor having a second control terminal controlling a value of the second current, and a controller applying a first potential to the first control terminal and a second potential to the second control terminal in a first operation, and applying the first potential to the first control terminal and a third potential larger than the second potential to the second control terminal in a second operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Toshiba Memory CorporationInventors: Masahiko Nakayama, Masashi Kawamura, Katsuhiko Hoya, Mikio Miyata, Minoru Amano
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Patent number: 9818464Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory element includes a stacked structure. The stacked structure includes a first and a second stacked member. The first stacked member includes a first and second ferromagnetic layer. A magnetic resonance frequency of the second ferromagnetic layer is a first frequency. A direction of a magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer is settable to a direction of a first current when a magnetic field of the first frequency is applied to the first stacked member and the first current flows in the first stacked member. The direction of the magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer does not change when the second current smaller than the first current flows in the first stacked member. The second stacked member includes a third ferromagnetic layer. A magnetization of the third ferromagnetic layer can generate a magnetic field of the first frequency by the second current.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Minoru Amano, Jyunichi Ozeki, Naoharu Shimomura
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Publication number: 20170263860Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive memory device includes forming a mask on a stacked layer structure disposed on a substrate and constituting a plurality of magnetoresistive elements, etching the stacked layer structure selectively into a plurality of pillars corresponding to the mask by applying an ion beam at a first angle relative to a perpendicular direction to a surface of the substrate, removing deposited films attached to sidewalls of the pillars by applying an ion beam at a second angle greater than the first angle, and etching bottom portions of the pillars by applying an ion beam at a third angle less than the second angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Satoshi SETO, Minoru AMANO
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Publication number: 20170263336Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory includes a magnetoresistive element, a reference cell, a sense amplifier comparing a first current flowing in the magnetoresistive element with a second current flowing in the reference cell, a first transistor having a first control terminal controlling a value of the first current, a second transistor having a second control terminal controlling a value of the second current, and a controller applying a first potential to the first control terminal and a second potential to the second control terminal in a first operation, and applying the first potential to the first control terminal and a third potential larger than the second potential to the second control terminal in a second operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Masahiko NAKAYAMA, Masashi KAWAMURA, Katsuhiko HOYA, Mikio MIYATA, Minoru AMANO
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Publication number: 20170263679Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, and including a first main surface and a second main surface located opposite to the first main surface, a second magnetic layer provided on a first main surface side of the first magnetic layer, and having a fixed magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, wherein saturation magnetization of part of the first magnetic layer which is located close to the first main surface is higher than saturation magnetization of part of the first magnetic layer which is located close to the second main surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Jyunichi OZEKI, Masahiko NAKAYAMA, Hiroaki YODA, Eiji KITAGAWA, Takao OCHIAI, Minoru AMANO, Kenji NOMA
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Patent number: 9647203Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes a first magnetic layer including O and one of Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, a second magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer between the first and second magnetic layers, a first electrode connected to the first magnetic layer, a second electrode connected to the second magnetic layer, and a resistive layer including N between the first magnetic layer and the first electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Eiji Kitagawa, Minoru Amano
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Patent number: 9620189Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes at least one MTJ element, the MTJ element including: a magnetic multilayer structure including a first magnetic layer in which a direction of magnetization is fixed, a second magnetic layer in which a direction of magnetization is changeable, and a tunnel barrier layer located between the first and second magnetic layers; a first electrode provided on a first surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; a second electrode provided on a second surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; an insulating film provided on a side surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; and a control electrode provided on the side surface of the magnetic multilayer structure with the insulating film located therebetween, a voltage being applied to the control electrode in a read operation, which increases an energy barrier for changing the magnetization of the second magnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Naoharu Shimomura, Eiji Kitagawa, Minoru Amano, Daisuke Saida, Kay Yakushiji, Takayuki Nozaki, Shinji Yuasa, Akio Fukushima, Hiroshi Imamura, Hitoshi Kubota
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Publication number: 20160379698Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory element includes a stacked structure. The stacked structure includes a first and a second stacked member. The first stacked member includes a first and second ferromagnetic layer. A magnetic resonance frequency of the second ferromagnetic layer is a first frequency. A direction of a magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer is settable to a direction of a first current when a magnetic field of the first frequency is applied to the first stacked member and the first current flows in the first stacked member. The direction of the magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer does not change when the second current smaller than the first current flows in the first stacked member. The second stacked member includes a third ferromagnetic layer. A magnetization of the third ferromagnetic layer can generate a magnetic field of the first frequency by the second current.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke SAIDA, Minoru AMANO, Jyunichi OZEKI, Naoharu SHIMOMURA
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Patent number: 9508926Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a recording layer having magnetic anisotropy and a variable magnetization direction, a reference layer having magnetic anisotropy and an invariable magnetization direction, an intermediate layer between the recording layer and the reference layer, an underlayer containing scandium (Sc) and disposed on a surface side of the recording layer opposite to a surface side on which the recording layer is disposed, and a side wall layer containing an oxide of Sc and disposed on side surfaces of the recording layer and the intermediate layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Eiji Kitagawa, Minoru Amano, Megumi Yakabe, Hiroaki Maekawa
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Patent number: 9466350Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first interconnect, a second interconnect, a magnetoresistive effect element having first and second terminals, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first interconnect, a diode having first and second terminals, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element, the second terminal being electrically connected to the second terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element, and a transistor having source and drain terminals, one of the source and drain terminals being electrically connected to the second terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element and the second terminal of the diode, the other of the source and drain terminals being electrically connected to the second interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Akiyuki Murayama, Eiji Kitagawa, Masahiko Nakayama, Minoru Amano, Takao Ochiai
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Publication number: 20160267960Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first interconnect, a second interconnect, a magnetoresistive effect element having first and second terminals, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first interconnect, a diode having first and second terminals, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element, the second terminal being electrically connected to the second terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element, and a transistor having source and drain terminals, one of the source and drain terminals being electrically connected to the second terminal of the magnetoresistive effect element and the second terminal of the diode, the other of the source and drain terminals being electrically connected to the second interconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Akiyuki MURAYAMA, Eiji KITAGAWA, Masahiko NAKAYAMA, Minoru AMANO, Takao OCHIAI
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Publication number: 20160260773Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes a first magnetic layer, an insulating layer on the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer on the insulating layer, and an aluminum boride layer on the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Eiji KITAGAWA, Minoru AMANO
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Publication number: 20160118098Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes at least one MTJ element, the MTJ element including: a magnetic multilayer structure including a first magnetic layer in which a direction of magnetization is fixed, a second magnetic layer in which a direction of magnetization is changeable, and a tunnel barrier layer located between the first and second magnetic layers; a first electrode provided on a first surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; a second electrode provided on a second surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; an insulating film provided on a side surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; and a control electrode provided on the side surface of the magnetic multilayer structure with the insulating film located therebetween, a voltage being applied to the control electrode in a read operation, which increases an energy barrier for changing the magnetization of the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Naoharu SHIMOMURA, Eiji KITAGAWA, Minoru AMANO, Daisuke SAIDA, Kay YAKUSHIJI, Takayuki NOZAKI, Shinji YUASA, Akio FUKUSHIMA, Hiroshi IMAMURA, Hitoshi KUBOTA
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Patent number: 9299918Abstract: A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a first to third ferromagnetic layers, and a first nonmagnetic layer, the first and second ferromagnetic layers each having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the third ferromagnetic layer including a plurality of ferromagnetic oscillators generating rotating magnetic fields of different oscillation frequencies from one another. Spin-polarized electrons are injected into the first ferromagnetic layer and induce precession movements in the plurality of ferromagnetic oscillators of the third ferromagnetic layer by flowing a current between the first and third ferromagnetic layers, the rotating magnetic fields are generated by the precession movements and are applied to the first ferromagnetic layer, and at least one of the rotating magnetic fields assists a magnetization switching in the first ferromagnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Tadaomi Daibou, Minoru Amano, Daisuke Saida, Junichi Ito, Yuichi Ohsawa, Chikayoshi Kamata, Saori Kashiwada, Hiroaki Yoda
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Publication number: 20160013397Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a recording layer having magnetic anisotropy and a variable magnetization direction, a reference layer having magnetic anisotropy and an invariable magnetization direction, an intermediate layer between the recording layer and the reference layer, an underlayer containing scandium (Sc) and disposed on a surface side of the recording layer opposite to a surface side on which the recording layer is disposed, and a side wall layer containing an oxide of Sc and disposed on side surfaces of the recording layer and the intermediate layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Eiji KITAGAWA, Minoru AMANO, Megumi YAKABE, Hiroaki MAEKAWA
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Patent number: 9230628Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes at least one MTJ element, the MTJ element including: a magnetic multilayer structure including a first magnetic layer in which a direction of magnetization is fixed, a second magnetic layer in which a direction of magnetization is changeable, and a tunnel barrier layer located between the first and second magnetic layers; a first electrode provided on a first surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; a second electrode provided on a second surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; an insulating film provided on a side surface of the magnetic multilayer structure; and a control electrode provided on the side surface of the magnetic multilayer structure with the insulating film located therebetween, a voltage being applied to the control electrode in a read operation, which increases an energy barrier for changing the magnetization of the second magnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Naoharu Shimomura, Eiji Kitagawa, Minoru Amano, Daisuke Saida, Kay Yakushiji, Takayuki Nozaki, Shinji Yuasa, Akio Fukushima, Hiroshi Imamura, Hitoshi Kubota
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Patent number: 9224944Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: at least one memory cell comprising a magnetoresistive element as a memory element, and first and second electrodes that energize the magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive element includes: a first magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction perpendicular to a film plane; a tunnel barrier layer on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer on the tunnel barrier layer, and having a fixed magnetization direction perpendicular to the film plane. The first magnetic layer including: a first region; and a second region outside the first region so as to surround the first region, and having a smaller perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy than that of the first region. The second magnetic layer including: a third region; and a fourth region outside the third region, and having a smaller perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy than that of the third region.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Yuichi Ohsawa, Junichi Ito, Chikayoshi Kamata, Saori Kashiwada, Minoru Amano, Hiroaki Yoda
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Patent number: 9219227Abstract: A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a base layer; a first magnetic layer formed on the base layer, and including a first magnetic film having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the first magnetic film including MnxGa100-x (45?x<64 atomic %); a first nonmagnetic layer formed on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer formed on the first nonmagnetic layer, and including a second magnetic film having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the second magnetic film including MnyGa100-y (45?y<64 atomic %). The first and second magnetic layers include different Mn composition rates from each other, a magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer is changeable by a current flowing between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer via the first nonmagnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, WPI-AIMR, Tohoku UniversityInventors: Tadaomi Daibou, Junichi Ito, Tadashi Kai, Minoru Amano, Hiroaki Yoda, Terunobu Miyazaki, Shigemi Mizukami, Koji Ando, Kay Yakushiji, Shinji Yuasa, Hitoshi Kubota, Akio Fukushima, Taro Nagahama, Takahide Kubota
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Patent number: 9166065Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive effect element includes a first magnetic film having magnetic anisotropy and an invariable magnetization direction in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, a second magnetic film having magnetic anisotropy and a variable magnetization direction in the direction perpendicular to the film plane, and a nonmagnetic film between the first magnetic film and the second magnetic film. At least one of the first and second magnetic films includes a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer includes a rare earth metal, a transition metal, and boron.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Yuichi Ohsawa, Tadaomi Daibou, Yushi Kato, Eiji Kitagawa, Saori Kashiwada, Minoru Amano, Junichi Ito