Patents by Inventor Witold Kula
Witold Kula 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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Patent number: 9972770Abstract: Magnetic memory cells, methods of fabrication, semiconductor device structures, and memory systems are disclosed. A magnetic cell core includes at least one magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region) configured to exhibit a vertical magnetic orientation, at least one oxide-based region, which may be a tunnel junction region or an oxide capping region, and at least one magnetic interface region, which may comprise or consist of iron (Fe). In some embodiments, the magnetic interface region is spaced from at least one oxide-based region by a magnetic region. The presence of the magnetic interface region enhances the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) strength of the magnetic cell core. In some embodiments, the PMA strength may be enhanced more than 50% compared to that of the same magnetic cell core structure lacking the magnetic interface region.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Sunil Murthy, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 9960346Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction has a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material. A conductive second magnetic electrode is spaced from the first electrode and comprises magnetic reference material. A non-magnetic tunnel insulator material is between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic recording material of the first electrode comprises a first magnetic region, a second magnetic region spaced from the first magnetic region, and a third magnetic region spaced from the first and second magnetic regions. A first non-magnetic insulator metal oxide-comprising region is between the first and second magnetic regions. A second non-magnetic insulator metal oxide-comprising region is between the second and third magnetic regions. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Harms, Wei Chen, Sunil S. Murthy, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 9876053Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes a seed region with a plurality of magnetic regions and a plurality of nonmagnetic regions thereover. The seed region provides a template that enables formation of an overlying nonmagnetic region with a microstructure that enables formation of an overlying free region with a desired crystal structure. The free region is disposed between two nonmagnetic regions, which may both be configured to induce surface/interface magnetic anisotropy. The structure is therefore configured to have a high magnetic anisotropy strength, a high energy barrier ratio, high tunnel magnetoresistance, a low programming current, low cell-to-cell electrical resistance variation, and low cell-to-cell variation in magnetic properties. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Witold Kula, Wayne I. Kinney, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Publication number: 20170358741Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20170345996Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes at least one stressor structure proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region). The magnetic region may be formed of a magnetic material exhibiting magnetostriction. During switching, the stressor structure may be subjected to a programming current passing through the magnetic cell core. In response to the current, the stressor structure may alter in size. Due to the size change, the stressor structure may exert a stress upon the magnetic region and, thereby, alter its magnetic anisotropy. In some embodiments, the MA strength of the magnetic region may be lowered during switching so that a lower programming current may be used to switch the magnetic orientation of the free region. In some embodiments, multiple stressor structures may be included in the magnetic cell core. Methods of fabrication and operation and related device structures and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20170331032Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material, a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material, and a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode comprises a synthetic antiferromagnetic construction comprising two spaced magnetic regions one of which is closer to the tunnel insulator material than is the other. The one magnetic region comprises a polarizer region comprising CoxFeyBz where “x” is from 0 to 90, “y” is from 10 to 90, and “z” is from 10 to 50. The CoxFeyBz is directly against the tunnel insulator. A non-magnetic region comprising an Os-containing material is between the two spaced magnetic regions. The other magnetic region comprises a magnetic Co-containing material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Wei Chen, Witold Kula, Manzar Siddik, Suresh Ramarajan, Jonathan D. Harms
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Publication number: 20170309680Abstract: Memory cells are disclosed. Magnetic regions within the memory cells include an alternating structure of magnetic sub-regions and coupler sub-regions. The coupler material of the coupler sub-regions antiferromagnetically couples neighboring magnetic sub-regions and effects or encourages a vertical magnetic orientation exhibited by the neighboring magnetic sub-regions. Neighboring magnetic sub-regions, spaced from one another by a coupler sub-region, exhibit oppositely directed magnetic orientations. The magnetic and coupler sub-regions may each be of a thickness tailored to form the magnetic region in a compact structure. Interference between magnetic dipole fields emitted from the magnetic region on switching of a free region in the memory cell may be reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures, spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) systems, and methods of fabrication.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Wayne I. Kinney, Witold Kula, Stephen J. Kramer
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Patent number: 9786841Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 9768376Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes at least one stressor structure proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region). The magnetic region may be formed of a magnetic material exhibiting magnetostriction. During switching, the stressor structure may be subjected to a programming current passing through the magnetic cell core. In response to the current, the stressor structure may alter in size. Due to the size change, the stressor structure may exert a stress upon the magnetic region and, thereby, alter its magnetic anisotropy. In some embodiments, the MA strength of the magnetic region may be lowered during switching so that a lower programming current may be used to switch the magnetic orientation of the free region. In some embodiments, multiple stressor structures may be included in the magnetic cell core. Methods of fabrication and operation and related device structures and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 9711565Abstract: Memory cells are disclosed. Magnetic regions within the memory cells include an alternating structure of magnetic sub-regions and coupler sub-regions. The coupler material of the coupler sub-regions antiferromagnetically couples neighboring magnetic sub-regions and effects or encourages a vertical magnetic orientation exhibited by the neighboring magnetic sub-regions. Neighboring magnetic sub-regions, spaced from one another by a coupler sub-region, exhibit oppositely directed magnetic orientations. The magnetic and coupler sub-regions may each be of a thickness tailored to form the magnetic region in a compact structure. Interference between magnetic dipole fields emitted from the magnetic region on switching of a free region in the memory cell may be reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures, spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) systems, and methods of fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wayne I. Kinney, Witold Kula, Stephen J. Kramer
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Publication number: 20170200887Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 9680089Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction comprises a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material, a conductive second magnetic electrode spaced from the first electrode and comprising magnetic reference material, and a non-magnetic tunnel insulator material between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode comprises a synthetic antiferromagnetic construction comprising two spaced magnetic regions one of which is closer to the tunnel insulator material than is the other. The one magnetic region comprises a polarizer region comprising CoxFeyBz where “x” is from 0 to 90, “y” is from 10 to 90, and “z” is from 10 to 50. The CoxFeyBz is directly against the tunnel insulator. A non-magnetic region comprising an Os-containing material is between the two spaced magnetic regions. The other magnetic region comprises a magnetic Co-containing material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Witold Kula, Manzar Siddik, Suresh Ramarajan, Jonathan D. Harms
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Patent number: 9660184Abstract: Spin transfer torque memory cells and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, spin transfer torque memory cells may include an amorphous material, a storage material formed on the amorphous material, wherein the storage material is substantially boron free, an interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy material formed on the storage material, a reference material formed on the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy material, wherein the reference material is substantially boron free, a buffer material formed on the reference material and a pinning material formed on the buffer material.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 9608197Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magnetoresistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20170033155Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes a seed region with a plurality of magnetic regions and a plurality of nonmagnetic regions thereover. The seed region provides a template that enables formation of an overlying nonmagnetic region with a microstructure that enables formation of an overlying free region with a desired crystal structure. The free region is disposed between two nonmagnetic regions, which may both be configured to induce surface/interface magnetic anisotropy. The structure is therefore configured to have a high magnetic anisotropy strength, a high energy barrier ratio, high tunnel magnetoresistance, a low programming current, low cell-to-cell electrical resistance variation, and low cell-to-cell variation in magnetic properties. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Witold Kula, Wayne I. Kinney, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Patent number: 9530959Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic electrode of a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming non-magnetic MgO-comprising material over conductive material of the magnetic electrode being formed. An amorphous metal is formed over the MgO-comprising material. Amorphous magnetic electrode material comprising Co and Fe is formed over the amorphous metal. The amorphous magnetic electrode material is devoid of B. Non-magnetic tunnel insulator material comprising MgO is formed directly against the amorphous magnetic electrode material. The tunnel insulator material is devoid of B. After forming the tunnel insulator material, the amorphous Co and Fe-comprising magnetic electrode material is annealed at a temperature of at least about 250° C. to form crystalline Co and Fe-comprising magnetic electrode material from an MgO-comprising surface of the tunnel insulator material. The crystalline Co and Fe-comprising magnetic electrode material is devoid of B. Other method and non-method embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Witold Kula, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Patent number: 9520553Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic electrode of a magnetic tunnel junction comprises forming non-magnetic MgO-comprising material over conductive material of the magnetic electrode being formed. An amorphous metal is formed over the MgO-comprising material. Amorphous magnetic electrode material comprising Co and Fe is formed over the amorphous metal. The amorphous magnetic electrode material is devoid of B. Non-magnetic tunnel insulator material comprising MgO is formed directly against the amorphous magnetic electrode material. The tunnel insulator material is devoid of B. After forming the tunnel insulator material, the amorphous Co and Fe-comprising magnetic electrode material is annealed at a temperature of at least about 250° C. to form crystalline Co and Fe-comprising magnetic electrode material from an MgO-comprising surface of the tunnel insulator material. The crystalline Co and Fe-comprising magnetic electrode material is devoid of B. Other method and non-method embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Witold Kula, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Publication number: 20160359105Abstract: A magnetic cell includes a free region between an intermediate oxide region (e.g., a tunnel barrier) and a secondary oxide region. Both oxide regions may be configured to induce magnetic anisotropy (“MA”) with the free region, enhancing the MA strength of the free region. A getter material proximate to the secondary oxide region is formulated and configured to remove oxygen from the secondary oxide region, reducing an oxygen concentration and an electrical resistance of the secondary oxide region. Thus, the secondary oxide region contributes only minimally to the electrical resistance of the cell core. Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable a high effective magnetoresistance, low resistance area product, and low programming voltage along with the enhanced MA strength. Methods of fabrication, memory arrays, memory systems, and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20160351793Abstract: A magnetic cell core includes at least one stressor structure proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region). The magnetic region may be formed of a magnetic material exhibiting magnetostriction. During switching, the stressor structure may be subjected to a programming current passing through the magnetic cell core. In response to the current, the stressor structure may alter in size. Due to the size change, the stressor structure may exert a stress upon the magnetic region and, thereby, alter its magnetic anisotropy. In some embodiments, the MA strength of the magnetic region may be lowered during switching so that a lower programming current may be used to switch the magnetic orientation of the free region. In some embodiments, multiple stressor structures may be included in the magnetic cell core. Methods of fabrication and operation and related device structures and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Witold Kula
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Publication number: 20160329486Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction has a conductive first magnetic electrode comprising magnetic recording material. A conductive second magnetic electrode is spaced from the first electrode and comprises magnetic reference material. A non-magnetic tunnel insulator material is between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic recording material of the first electrode comprises a first magnetic region, a second magnetic region spaced from the first magnetic region, and a third magnetic region spaced from the first and second magnetic regions. A first non-magnetic insulator metal oxide-comprising region is between the first and second magnetic regions. A second non-magnetic insulator metal oxide-comprising region is between the second and third magnetic regions. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Jonathan D. Harms, Wei Chen, Sunil S. Murthy, Witold Kula