Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a cell transistor; a bit line provided above the cell transistor; a magnetoresistive element provided above the bit line, a first end portion of the magnetoresistive element being electrically connected to the bit line; an intracell local interconnection provided above the magnetoresistive element, the intracell local interconnection coupling one of source and drain regions of the cell transistor to a second end portion of the magnetoresistive element; and a write word line provided above the intracell local interconnection, a portion between the write word line and the intracell local interconnection being filled with an insulator alone.

Abstract: A highly reliable magnetic memory exhibits enhanced data-holding stability at high storage density in a storage layer of a magnetoresistive effect element used for memory cells. A magnetic memory includes a memory cell array having first wirings, second wirings intersecting the first wirings and memory cells each provided at an intersection area of the corresponding first and second wirings. Each memory cell is selected when the corresponding first and second wirings are selected.

Abstract: A write line is covered with a yoke material. The recording layer of an MTJ element is exchange-coupled to the yoke material. The total magnetic volume ?Msi×ti of the recording layer of the MTJ element and a portion of the yoke material that is exchange-coupled to the recording layer is smaller than the magnetic volume ?Msi?×ti? of the remaining portion of the yoke material that covers the write line.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element of a tunnel junction type includes a magnetic multi-layered film (1), ferromagnetic film (3) and intervening insulating film (2) such that a current flows between the magnetic multi-layered film and the ferromagnetic film, tunneling through the insulating film. The magnetic multi-layered film includes a first ferromagnetic layer, second ferromagnetic layer and anti-ferromagnetic layer inserted between the first and second ferromagnetic layers.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a memory cell portion, a peripheral circuit portion positioned in the vicinity of the memory cell portion, a plurality of first magnetoresistive effect elements which are arranged in the memory cell portion and function as memory elements, and a plurality of second magnetoresistive effect elements which are arranged in at least a part of the peripheral circuit portion and function as dummies, wherein a sum total of occupying areas of the second magnetoresistive effect elements is 5% to 80% of the peripheral circuit portion.

Abstract: In a magnetic random access memory for generating an inductive magnetic flux by passing current into write wirings disposed closely to MTJ elements, whose resistance values varying depending on the magnetization array state of two magnetic layers of MTJ elements including two magnetic layers that hold a non-magnetic layer correspond to the stored information of “0”/“1”, and writing information by varying the magnetization direction of a free layer of the MTJ elements, the shape of the MTJ elements is warped so as to coincide substantially with the magnetic field curve generated from the write wirings.

Abstract: There are provided a magnetoresistive effect element, which has a large MR ratio, excellent thermostability and a small switching magnetic field even if its size is decreased, and a magnetic memory using the magnetoresistive effect element. The magnetoresistive effect element includes: a storage layer formed by stacking a plurality of ferromagnetic layers via non-magnetic layers; a magnetic film having at least one ferromagnetic layer; and a tunnel barrier layer provided between the storage layer and the magnetic film.

Abstract: A magnetic memory includes: a magnetoresistance effect element having a magnetic recording layer; a first writing wiring extending in a first direction on or below the magnetoresistance effect element, a center of gravity of an axial cross section of the wiring being apart from a center of thickness at the center of gravity, and the center of gravity being eccentric toward the magnetoresistance effect element; and a writing circuit configured to pass a current through the first writing wiring in order to record an information in the magnetic recording layer by a magnetic field generated by the current.

Abstract: Magnetoresistance effect devices for attaining magnetically stability and for reducing a switching magnetic field. One of the ferromagnetic layers of the magnetoresistance effect device has a plane shape in which a width of an end portions is wider than a center portion sandwiched by two end portions. The end portions are not symmetrical with respect to an easy magnetization axis or longer axis of the plane shape of ferromagnetic material layer, but are substantially rotationally symmetrical with a center of the plane shape as a pivot. The plane shape may have an S-shape where its magnetic domain is stabilized and the switching magnetic field is reduced. The manufacturing method uses two linear mask patterns intersecting with each other to form sharp corners of a ferromagnetic tunnel junction. An electron beam (EB) drawing may be used to form the S-shape plane.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetoresistance effect element including a first pinned ferromagnetic layer, a second pinned ferromagnetic layer facing the first pinned ferromagnetic layer, surface regions of the first and second pinned ferromagnetic layer facing each other being different from each other in composition, a free ferromagnetic layer intervening between the first and second pinned ferromagnetic layers, a first tunnel barrier layer intervening between the first pinned ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer, and a second tunnel barrier layer intervening between the second pinned ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element of a tunnel junction type includes a magnetic multi-layered film (1), ferromagnetic film (3) and intervening insulating film (2) such that a current flows between the magnetic multi-layered film and the ferromagnetic film, tunneling through the insulating film. The magnetic multi-layered film includes a first ferromagnetic layer, second ferromagnetic layer and anti-ferromagnetic layer inserted between the first and second ferromagnetic layers.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes first wiring which runs in the first direction, second wiring which runs in the second direction, a magneto-resistance element which is arranged at an intersection between the first and second wirings, a first yoke main body which covers at least either of the lower surface and two side surfaces of the first wring, a second yoke main body which covers at least either of the upper surface and two side surfaces of the second wiring, first and second yoke tips which are arranged on two sides of the magneto-resistance element in the first direction at an interval from the magneto-resistance element, and third and fourth yoke tips which are arranged on two sides of the magneto-resistance element in the second direction at an interval from the magneto-resistance element.

Abstract: A write word line is disposed right under an MTJ element. The write word line extends in an X direction, and a lower surface of the line is coated with a yoke material which has a high permeability. A data selection line (read/write bit line) is disposed right on the MTJ element. A data selection line extends in a Y direction intersecting with the X direction, and an upper surface of the line is coated with the yoke material which has the high permeability. At a write operation time, a magnetic field generated by a write current flowing through a write word line B and data selection line functions on the MTJ element by the yoke material with good efficiency.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic memory including first and second wirings intersecting each other and disposed apart from each other, a magnetoresistance effect film positioned between the first and second wirings, and a first magnetic film including a first portion facing the magnetoresistance effect film with the first wiring interposed therebetween and a pair of second portions positioned on both sides of the first wiring and magnetically connected to the first portion, each of the first and second portions having either one of a high saturation magnetization soft magnetic material containing cobalt and a metal-nonmetal nano-granular film.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes first wiring which runs in the first direction, second wiring which runs in the second direction, a magneto-resistance element which is arranged at an intersection between the first and second wirings, a first yoke main body which covers at least either of the lower surface and two side surfaces of the first wring, a second yoke main body which covers at least either of the upper surface and two side surfaces of the second wiring, first and second yoke tips which are arranged on two sides of the magneto-resistance element in the first direction at an interval from the magneto-resistance element, and third and fourth yoke tips which are arranged on two sides of the magneto-resistance element in the second direction at an interval from the magneto-resistance element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic memory device includes forming an insulation layer on a substrate, forming a lower electrode on the insulation layer, forming a magneto-resistive film on an upper surface of the lower electrode, the magneto-resistive film including an insulation barrier layer and a plurality of magnetic films stacked on both sides of the insulation barrier layer, stacking a mask layer on the magneto-resistive film, performing ion etching on the magneto-resistive film, using the mask layer as a mask, thereby forming a magneto-resistive element, forming an insulation film on upper surfaces of the mask, the magneto-resistive element and the lower electrode, and etching the insulation film with an ion beam such that a side surface of the magneto-resistive element is exposed.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetoresistance effect element including a first pinned ferromagnetic layer, a second pinned ferromagnetic layer facing the first pinned ferromagnetic layer, surface regions of the first and second pinned ferromagnetic layer facing each other being different from each other in composition, a free ferromagnetic layer intervening between the first and second pinned ferromagnetic layers, a first tunnel barrier layer intervening between the first pinned ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer, and a second tunnel barrier layer intervening between the second pinned ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A highly reliable magnetic memory exhibits enhanced data-holding stability at high storage density in a storage layer of a magnetoresistive effect element used for memory cells. A magnetic memory includes a memory cell array having first wirings, second wirings intersecting the first wirings and memory cells each provided at an intersection area of the corresponding first and second wirings. Each memory cell is selected when the corresponding first and second wirings are selected.

Abstract: A highly reliable magnetic memory exhibits enhanced data-holding stability at high storage density in a storage layer of a magnetoresistive effect element used for memory cells. A magnetic memory includes a memory cell array having first wirings, second wirings intersecting the first wirings and memory cells each provided at an intersection area of the corresponding first and second wirings. Each memory cell is selected when the corresponding first and second wirings are selected.

Abstract: A magnetic memory includes: a magnetoresistance effect element having a magnetic recording layer; a first writing wiring extending in a first direction on or below the magnetoresistance effect element, a center of gravity of an axial cross section of the wiring being apart from a center of thickness at the center of gravity, and the center of gravity being eccentric toward the magnetoresistance effect element; and a writing circuit configured to pass a current through the first writing wiring in order to record an information in the magnetic recording layer by a magnetic field generated by the current.