Abstract: A magnetoresistive element which records information by supplying spin-polarized electrons to a magnetic material, includes a first pinned layer which is made of a magnetic material and has a first magnetization directed in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, a free layer which is made of a magnetic material and has a second magnetization directed in the direction perpendicular to the film surface, the direction of the second magnetization reversing by the spin-polarized electrons, and a first nonmagnetic layer which is provided between the first pinned layer and the free layer. A saturation magnetization Ms of the free layer satisfies a relationship 0?Ms<?{square root over ( )}{Jw/(6?At)}. Jw is a write current density, t is a thickness of the free layer, A is a constant.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element according to an example of the present invention has a stacked structure comprised first and second ferromagnetic layers and a nonmagnetic layer disposed between these ferromagnetic layers, and a planar shape of at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic layers has a shape formed by combining two or more parts each having a shape of a character C.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes: a first ferromagnetic layer having invariable magnetization perpendicular to a film plane; a second ferromagnetic layer having variable magnetization perpendicular to the film plane; a first nonmagnetic layer interposed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer; a third ferromagnetic layer provided on an opposite side of the second ferromagnetic layer from the first nonmagnetic layer, and having variable magnetization parallel to the film plane; and a second nonmagnetic layer interposed between the second and third ferromagnetic layers.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device comprising, a magneto-resistance effect element that is provided at an intersection between a first write line and a second write line. And the magneto-resistance effect element having, an easy axis that extends in a direction of extension of the first write line, and a first conductive layer for electrical connection to the magneto-resistance effect element, the first conductive layer having sides which are in flush with sides of the magneto-resistance effect element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a reference layer, a recording layer, and a nonmagnetic layer. The reference layer is made of a magnetic material, has an invariable magnetization which is perpendicular to a film surface. The recording layer is made of a magnetic material, has a variable magnetization which is perpendicular to the film surface. The nonmagnetic layer is arranged between the reference layer and the recording layer. A critical diameter which is determined by magnetic anisotropy, saturation magnetization, and switched connection of the recording layer and has a single-domain state as a unique stable state or a critical diameter which has a single-domain state as a unique stable state and is inverted while keeping the single-domain state in an inverting process is larger than an element diameter of the magnetoresistive effect element.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive element according to an aspect of the present invention includes a free layer whose magnetized state changes and a pinned layer whose magnetized state is fixed. The free layer comprises first and second ferromagnetic layers and a non-magnetic layer which is arranged between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. An intensity of exchange coupling between the first and second ferromagnetic layers is set so that an astroid curve in a hard axis direction opens.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a first magnetization, the first magnetization having a first pattern when the magnetoresistive element is half-selected during a first data write, a second pattern when the magnetoresistive element is selected during a second data write, and a third pattern of residual magnetization, the first pattern being different from the second and third pattern, a second ferromagnetic layer having a second magnetization, and a nonmagnetic layer arranged between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer and having a tunnel conductance changing dependent on a relative angle between the first magnetization and the second magnetization.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a nonmagnetic layer having mutually facing first and second surfaces. A reference layer is provided on the first surface and has a fixed magnetization direction. A magnetization variable layer is provided on the second surface, has variable magnetization direction, and has a planer shape including a rectangular part, a first projected part, and a second projected part. The rectangular part has mutually facing first and second longer sides and mutually facing first and second shorter sides. The first projected part projects from the first longer side at a position shifted from the center toward the first shorter side. The second projected part projects from the second longer side at a position shifted from the center toward the second shorter side.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a first magnetization, the first magnetization having a first pattern when the magnetoresistive element is half-selected during a first data write, a second pattern when the magnetoresistive element is selected during a second data write, and a third pattern of residual magnetization, the first pattern being different from the second and third pattern, a second ferromagnetic layer having a second magnetization, and a nonmagnetic layer arranged between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer and having a tunnel conductance changing dependent on a relative angle between the first magnetization and the second magnetization.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive element according to an aspect of the present invention includes a free layer whose magnetized state changes and a pinned layer whose magnetized state is fixed. The free layer comprises first and second ferromagnetic layers and a non-magnetic layer which is arranged between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. An intensity of exchange coupling between the first and second ferromagnetic layers is set so that an astroid curve in a hard axis direction opens.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a first reference layer having magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to a film surface, and an invariable magnetization, a recording layer having a stacked structure formed by alternately stacking magnetic layers and nonmagnetic layers, magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to a film surface, and a variable magnetization, and an intermediate layer provided between the first reference layer and the recording layer, and containing a nonmagnetic material. The magnetic layers include a first magnetic layer being in contact with the intermediate layer and a second magnetic layer being not in contact with the intermediate layer. The first magnetic layer contains an alloy containing cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe), and has a film thickness larger than that of the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes: a main magnetic pole; a laminated body; and a pair of electrodes. The laminated body includes a first magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole, a second magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than the magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The pair of electrodes are operable to pass a current through the laminated body.

Abstract: There are provided a first reference layer, in which a direction of magnetization is fixed, and a storage layer including a main body, in which a length in an easy magnetization axis direction is longer than a length in a hard magnetization axis direction, and a projecting portion provided to a central portion of the main body in the hard magnetization axis direction, a direction of magnetization of the storage layer being changeable in accordance with an external magnetic field.

Abstract: It is made possible to provide a magnetoresistive effect element that can reverse magnetization direction with a low current, having low areal resistance (RA) and a high TMR ratio. A magnetoresistive effect element includes: a film stack that includes a magnetization free layer including a magnetic layer in which magnetization direction is changeable, a magnetization pinned layer including a magnetic layer in which magnetization direction is pinned, and an intermediate layer provided between the magnetization free layer and the magnetization pinned layer, the intermediate layer being an oxide containing boron (B) and an element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Ti, and Sc. Current is applied bidirectionally between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer through the intermediate layer, so that the magnetization of the magnetization free layer is reversible.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device comprising, a magneto-resistance effect element that is provided at an intersection between a first write line and a second write line. And the magneto-resistance effect element having, an easy axis that extends in a direction of extension of the first write line, and a first conductive layer for electrical connection to the magneto-resistance effect element, the first conductive layer having sides which are in flush with sides of the magneto-resistance effect element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first spacer layer. The first magnetic layer has an invariable magnetization direction. The second magnetic layer has a variable magnetization direction, and contains at least one element selected from Fe, Co, and Ni, at least one element selected from Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au, and at least one element selected from V, Cr, and Mn. The spacer layer is formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and made of a nonmagnetic material. A bidirectional electric current flowing through the first magnetic layer, the spacer layer, and the second magnetic layer makes the magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer variable.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a magnetization fixed layer having substantially fixed magnetization direction. A magnetization variable layer has a variable magnetization direction, consists of a magnetic alloy that has a BCC structure and is expressed by Fe1-x-yCoxNiy (0?x+y?1, 0?x?1, 0?y?1), and contains at least one additive element of V, Cr, and Mn in a range of 0<a?20 at % (a is a content). An intermediate layer is disposed between the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization variable layer and consists of a nonmagnetic material. The magnetization direction of the magnetization variable layer is switched by a bidirectional current passing through the magnetization fixed layer, the intermediate layer, and the magnetization variable layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a nonmagnetic layer having mutually facing first and second surfaces. A reference layer is provided on the first surface and has a fixed magnetization direction. A magnetization variable layer is provided on the second surface, has variable magnetization direction, and has a planer shape including a rectangular part, a first projected part, and a second projected part. The rectangular part has mutually facing first and second longer sides and mutually facing first and second shorter sides. The first projected part projects from the first longer side at a position shifted from the center toward the first shorter side. The second projected part projects from the second longer side at a position shifted from the center toward the second shorter side.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a magnetoresistive element and a first wiring layer. The magnetoresistive element includes a fixed layer, a recording layer, and a non-magnetic layer interposed therebetween. The first wiring layer extends in a first direction and generates a magnetic field for recording data in the magnetoresistive element. The recording layer includes a base portion extending in a second direction rotated from the first direction by an angle falling within a range of more than 0° to not more than 20°, and first and second projections projecting from the first and second sides of the base portion in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The third and fourth sides of the base portion are inclined with respect to the third direction in the same rotational direction as a rotational direction in which the second direction is rotated.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a magnetoresistive element and a first wiring layer. The magnetoresistive element includes a fixed layer, a recording layer, and a non-magnetic layer interposed therebetween. The first wiring layer extends in a first direction and generates a magnetic field for recording data in the magnetoresistive element. The recording layer includes a base portion extending in a second direction rotated from the first direction by an angle falling within a range of more than 0° to not more than 20°, and first and second projections projecting from the first and second sides of the base portion in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The third and fourth sides of the base portion are inclined with respect to the third direction in the same rotational direction as a rotational direction in which the second direction is rotated.