Patents by Inventor Nicholas D. Rizzo

Nicholas D. Rizzo 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: 11744161
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Patent number: 11316099
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory stack formed on a substrate to program skyrmions within at least one layer of the stack. The skyrmions represent logic states of the memory device. The memory stack further includes a top and bottom electrode to receive electrical current from an external source and to provide the electrical current to the memory stack. A free layer stores a logic state of the skyrmions in response to the electrical current. A Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) Interaction (DMI) layer in contact with the free layer induces skyrmions in the free layer. A tunnel barrier is interactive with the DMI layer to facilitate detection of the logic state of the skyrmions in response to a read current. At least one fixed magnetic (FM) layer is positioned within the memory stack to facilitate programming of the skyrmions within the free layer in response to the electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Fitelson, Thomas F. Ambrose, Nicholas D. Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20210135096
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. PIETAMBARAM, Bengt J. AKERMAN, Renu WHIG, Jason A. JANESKY, Nicholas D. RIZZO, Jon M. SLAUGHTER
  • Patent number: 10897008
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20200303633
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory stack formed on a substrate to program skyrmions within at least one layer of the stack. The skyrmions represent logic states of the memory device. The memory stack further includes a top and bottom electrode to receive electrical current from an external source and to provide the electrical current to the memory stack. A free layer stores a logic state of the skyrmions in response to the electrical current. A Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) Interaction (DMI) layer in contact with the free layer induces skyrmions in the free layer. A tunnel barrier is interactive with the DMI layer to facilitate detection of the logic state of the skyrmions in response to a read current. At least one fixed magnetic (FM) layer is positioned within the memory stack to facilitate programming of the skyrmions within the free layer in response to the electrical current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL M. FITELSON, THOMAS F. AMBROSE, NICHOLAS D. RIZZO
  • Publication number: 20200295255
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (1) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may he disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. PIETAMBARAM, Bengt J. AKERMAN, Renu WHIG, Jason A. JANESKY, Nicholas D. RIZZO, Jon M. SLAUGHTER
  • Publication number: 20200259074
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory stack formed on a substrate to program skyrmions within at least one layer of the stack. The skyrmions represent logic states of the memory device. The memory stack further includes a top and bottom electrode to receive electrical current from an external source and to provide the electrical current to the memory stack. A free layer stores a logic state of the skyrmions in response to the electrical current. A Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) Interaction (DMI) layer in contact with the free layer induces skyrmions in the free layer. A tunnel barrier is interactive with the DMI layer to facilitate detection of the logic state of the skyrmions in response to a read current. At least one fixed magnetic (FM) layer is positioned within the memory stack to facilitate programming of the skyrmions within the free layer in response to the electrical current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL M. FITELSON, THOMAS F. AMBROSE, NICHOLAS D. RIZZO
  • Patent number: 10720572
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory stack formed on a substrate to program skyrmions within at least one layer of the stack. The skyrmions represent logic states of the memory device. The memory stack further includes a top and bottom electrode to receive electrical current from an external source and to provide the electrical current to the memory stack. A free layer stores a logic state of the skyrmions in response to the electrical current. A Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) Interaction (DMI) layer in contact with the free layer induces skyrmions in the free layer. A tunnel barrier is interactive with the DMI layer to facilitate detection of the logic state of the skyrmions in response to a read current. At least one fixed magnetic (FM) layer is positioned within the memory stack to facilitate programming of the skyrmions within the free layer in response to the electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Fitelson, Thomas F. Ambrose, Nicholas D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 10707410
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20190123266
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. PIETAMBARAM, Bengt J. AKERMAN, Renu WHIG, Jason A. JANESKY, Nicholas D. RIZZO, Jon M. SLAUGHTER
  • Patent number: 10199571
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20180026180
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. PIETAMBARAM, Bengt J. AKERMAN, Renu WHIG, Jason A. JANESKY, Nicholas D. RIZZO, Jon M. SLAUGHTER
  • Patent number: 9793468
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20160315252
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Patent number: 9391264
    Abstract: An MRAM bit includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region comprising an anti-ferromagnetic material, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, wherein the one or more ferromagnetic materials includes cobalt, (ii) a second layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials wherein the one or more ferromagnetic materials includes cobalt, (iii) a third layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, and an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer, wherein: (a) the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer is disposed between the first and third layers, and (b) the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20150280110
    Abstract: An MRAM bit includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region comprising an anti-ferromagnetic material, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, wherein the one or more ferromagnetic materials includes cobalt, (ii) a second layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials wherein the one or more ferromagnetic materials includes cobalt, (iii) a third layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, and an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer, wherein: (a) the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer is disposed between the first and third layers, and (b) the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Patent number: 9093637
    Abstract: An MRAM bit (10) includes a free magnetic region (15), a fixed magnetic region (17) comprising an antiferromagnetic material, and a tunneling barrier (16) comprising a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region (15) and the fixed magnetic region (17). The MRAM bit (10) avoids a pinning layer by comprising a fixed magnetic region exhibiting a well-defined high Hflop using a combination of high Hk (uniaxial anisotropy), high Hsat (saturation field), and ideal soft magnetic properties exhibiting well-defined easy and hard axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20150021606
    Abstract: An MRAM bit (10) includes a free magnetic region (15), a fixed magnetic region (17) comprising an antiferromagnetic material, and a tunneling barrier (16) comprising a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region (15) and the fixed magnetic region (17). The MRAM bit (10) avoids a pinning layer by comprising a fixed magnetic region exhibiting a well-defined high Hflop using a combination of high Hk (uniaxial anisotropy), high Hsat (saturation field), and ideal soft magnetic properties exhibiting well-defined easy and hard axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon Slaughter
  • Patent number: 8754460
    Abstract: An MRAM bit (10) includes a free magnetic region (15), a fixed magnetic region (17) comprising an antiferromagnetic material, and a tunneling barrier (16) comprising a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region (15) and the fixed magnetic region (17). The MRAM bit (10) avoids a pinning layer by comprising a fixed magnetic region exhibiting a well-defined high Hflop using a combination of high Hk (uniaxial anisotropy), high Hsat (saturation field), and ideal soft magnetic properties exhibiting well-defined easy and hard axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: EverSpin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu Whig, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20140021471
    Abstract: An MRAM bit (10) includes a free magnetic region (15), a fixed magnetic region (17) comprising an antiferromagnetic material, and a tunneling barrier (16) comprising a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region (15) and the fixed magnetic region (17). The MRAM bit (10) avoids a pinning layer by comprising a fixed magnetic region exhibiting a well-defined high Hflop using a combination of high Hk (uniaxial anisotropy), high Hsat (saturation field), and ideal soft magnetic properties exhibiting well-defined easy and hard axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Pietambaram, Bengt J. Akerman, Renu W. Dave, Jason A. Janesky, Nicholas D. Rizzo, Jon M. Slaughter