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: 20150263270Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Eiji KITAGAWA, Minoru AMANO
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Patent number: 9087980Abstract: 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: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 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: 9025368Abstract: A magnetic memory element includes a first stacked unit and a second stacked unit. The first stacked unit includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a first nonmagnetic layer. The second ferromagnetic layer is stacked with the first ferromagnetic layer. The second ferromagnetic layer has a first and second portion. The first and second portion has a changeable direction of magnetization. The second portion is stacked with the first portion in a stacking direction of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. A magnetic resonance frequency of the second portion is lower than a magnetic resonance frequency of the first portion. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The second stacked unit is stacked with the first stacked unit in the stacking direction. The second stacked unit includes a third ferromagnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Minoru Amano, Hiroshi Imamura
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Patent number: 8994131Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory includes a first magnetoresistive element includes a storage layer with a perpendicular and variable magnetization, a tunnel barrier layer, and a reference layer with a perpendicular and invariable magnetization, and stacked in order thereof in a first direction, and a first shift corrective layer with a perpendicular and invariable magnetization, the first shift corrective layer and the storage layer arranged in a direction intersecting with the first direction. Magnetization directions of the reference layer and the first shift corrective layer are the same.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Naoharu Shimomura, Eiji Kitagawa, Chikayoshi Kamata, Minoru Amano, Yuichi Ohsawa, Daisuke Saida, Megumi Yakabe, Hiroaki Maekawa
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Publication number: 20150076635Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicants: 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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Publication number: 20150014756Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Tadaomi DAIBOU, Minoru AMANO, Daisuke SAIDA, Junichi ITO, Yuichi OHSAWA, Chikayoshi KAMATA, Saori KASHIWADA, Hiroaki YODA
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Patent number: 8928055Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory element includes a stacked body and a conductive shield. The stacked body includes first and second stacked units. The first stacked unit includes first and second ferromagnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer has a fixed magnetization in a first direction. A magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer is variable in a second direction. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The second stacked unit includes a third ferromagnetic layer stacked with the first stacked unit in a stacking direction of the first stacked unit. A magnetization direction of the third ferromagnetic layer is variable in a third direction. The conductive shield is opposed to at least a part of a side surface of the second stacked unit. An electric potential of the conductive shield is controllable.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Minoru Amano, Junichi Ito
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Patent number: 8879307Abstract: A magnetoresistive device of an embodiment includes: first and second devices each including, a first magnetic layer having a changeable magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, a second magnetic layer having a fixed and perpendicular magnetization, and a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the first and second magnetic layers, the first and second devices being disposed in parallel on a first face of an interconnect layer; and a TMR device including a third magnetic layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and having a changeable magnetization, a fourth magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization parallel to a film plane, and a tunnel barrier layer interposed between the third and fourth magnetic layers, the TMR device being disposed on a second face of the interconnect layer, and the third magnetic layer being magnetostatically coupled to the first magnetic layers of the first and second devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Eiji Kitagawa, Naoharu Shimomura, Hiroaki Yoda, Junichi Ito, Minoru Amano, Chikayoshi Kamata, Keiko Abe
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Patent number: 8878317Abstract: 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: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Tadaomi Daibou, Minoru Amano, Daisuke Saida, Junichi Ito, Yuichi Ohsawa, Chikayoshi Kamata, Saori Kashiwada, Hiroaki Yoda
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Patent number: 8848433Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes: a magnetic memory element and a control unit. The magnetic memory element includes a stacked body, and a first and a second stacked units. The first stacked unit includes a first and second ferromagnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first and the second ferromagnetic layers. The second stacked unit includes a third ferromagnetic layer and a nonmagnetic tunneling barrier layer stacked with the third ferromagnetic layer. The control unit is configured to implement a first operation of setting the magnetic memory element to be in a first state. The first operation includes a first preliminary operation of applying a first pulse voltage; and a first setting operation of applying a second pulse voltage having a second rising time to the magnetic memory element after the first preliminary operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Minoru Amano, Naoharu Shimomura
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Patent number: 8841139Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: forming a separation layer on a first substrate; sequentially forming a first ferromagnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer on the separation layer, at least one of the first and the second ferromagnetic layers having a single crystal structure; forming a first conductive bonding layer on the second ferromagnetic layer; forming a second conductive bonding layer on a second substrate, on which a transistor and a wiring are formed, the second conductive bonding layer electrically connecting to the transistor; arranging the first and second substrate so that the first conductive bonding layer and the second conductive bonding layer are opposed to each other, and bonding the first and the second conductive bonding layers to each other; and separating the first substrate from the first ferromagnetic layer by using the separation layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Chikayoshi Kamata, Minoru Amano, Tadaomi Daibou, Junichi Ito
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Publication number: 20140269038Abstract: 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: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: 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: 20140269037Abstract: A magnetic memory element includes a first stacked unit and a second stacked unit. The first stacked unit includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a first nonmagnetic layer. The second ferromagnetic layer is stacked with the first ferromagnetic layer. The second ferromagnetic layer has a first and second portion. The first and second portion has a changeable direction of magnetization. The second portion is stacked with the first portion in a stacking direction of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. A magnetic resonance frequency of the second portion is lower than a magnetic resonance frequency of the first portion. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The second stacked unit is stacked with the first stacked unit in the stacking direction. The second stacked unit includes a third ferromagnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke SAIDA, Minoru Amano, Hiroshi Imamura
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Publication number: 20140206106Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Yuichi Ohsawa, Junichi Ito, Chikayoshi Kamata, Saori Kashiwada, Minoru Amano, Hiroaki Yoda
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Patent number: 8787077Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit includes a magnetic memory element which includes: a first and second ferromagnetic layers; and a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first and the second ferromagnetic layers. The memory unit includes a magnetic field application unit configured to apply a magnetic field to the second ferromagnetic layer, the magnetic field having a component in a first in-plane direction perpendicular to a stacking direction. The control unit is electrically connected to the magnetic memory element, and is configured to implement a setting operation of changing a voltage between the first and the second ferromagnetic layers from a first set voltage to a second set voltage. The magnetic field applied by the magnetic field application unit satisfies the condition of ? ? ? H > ( H u + H dx ) ? ( H u + H dx - H ext ) ( H u + H dx + H ext ) .Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Naoharu Shimomura, Minoru Amano, Eiji Kitagawa, Yoshishige Suzuki
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Patent number: 8754433Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a switch element provided in a surface area of a semiconductor substrate, a contact plug with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a function element provided on the upper surface of the contact plug. The lower surface of the contact plug is connected to the switch element. The upper surface of the contact plug has a maximum roughness of 0.2 nm or less.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yukiteru Matsui, Gaku Minamihaba, Hajime Eda, Masayoshi Iwayama, Minoru Amano, Masatoshi Yoshikawa, Motoyuki Sato, Kyoichi Suguro, Masako Kodera
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Publication number: 20140159177Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicants: WPI-AIMR, Tohoku University, Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: 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: 8737122Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes a magnetic memory element and a control unit. The magnetic memory element includes a stacked body including first and second stacked units. The first stacked unit includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization fixed, a second ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization variable and a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The second includes a third ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization rorated by a passed current to produce oscillation, a fourth ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization fixed and a second nonmagnetic layer provided between the third and fourth ferromagnetic layers stacked with each other. A frequency of the oscillation changes in accordance with the direction of the magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer. The control unit includes a reading unit reading out the magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Minoru Amano, Tazumi Nagasawa, Yuichi Ohsawa, Junichi Ito
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Patent number: 8716817Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory element includes a stacked body including first and second stacked units stacked with each other. The first stacked unit includes first and second ferromagnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer provided therebetween. The second stacked unit includes third and fourth ferromagnetic layers and a second nonmagnetic layer provided therebetween. Magnetization of the second and third ferromagnetic layers are variable. Magnetizations of the first and fourth ferromagnetic layers are fixed in a direction perpendicular to the layer surfaces. A cross-sectional area of the third ferromagnetic layer is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first stacked unit when cut along a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Daisuke Saida, Minoru Amano, Yuichi Ohsawa, Junichi Ito, Hiroaki Yoda
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Patent number: 8710605Abstract: 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: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Yuichi Ohsawa, Junichi Ito, Chikayoshi Kamata, Saori Kashiwada, Minoru Amano, Hiroaki Yoda