Abstract: A magnetic memory includes a magnetic memory, including a ferromagnetic underlayer including a magnetic material, a non-magnetic intermediate layer disposed on the underlayer, a ferromagnetic data recording layer formed on the intermediate layer and having a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a reference layer connected to the data recording layer across a non-magnetic layer, and first and second magnetization fixed layers disposed in contact with a bottom face of the underlayer. The data recording layer includes a magnetization free region having a reversible magnetization and opposed to the reference layer, a first magnetization fixed region coupled to a first border of the magnetization free layer and having a magnetization fixed in a first direction, and a second magnetization fixed region coupled to a second border of the magnetization free layer and having a magnetization fixed in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A magnetic memory includes: a magnetization fixed layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer being fixed; an interlayer dielectric; an underlayer formed on upper faces of the magnetization fixed layer and the interlayer dielectric; and a data recording layer formed on an upper face of the underlayer and having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The underlayer includes: a first magnetic underlayer; and a non-magnetic underlayer formed on the first magnetic underlayer. The first magnetic underlayer is formed with such a thickness that the first magnetic underlayer does not exhibit in-plane magnetic anisotropy in a portion of the first magnetic underlayer formed on the interlayer dielectric.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes: a lower magnetic layer; a barrier layer; and an upper magnetic layer. The barrier layer is provided on the lower magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer is provided on the barrier layer. One of magnetization directions of the lower magnetic layer and the upper magnetic layer is fixed. The barrier layer has a first surface which includes a surface contacted with an upper surface of the lower magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer has a second surface which includes a surface contacted with an upper surface of the barrier layer. Each of the first surface and the second surface is larger than the upper surface of the lower magnetic layer in area.

Abstract: A magnetic memory includes: a magnetization fixed layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer being fixed; an interlayer dielectric; an underlayer formed on upper faces of the magnetization fixed layer and the interlayer dielectric; and a data recording layer formed on an upper face of the underlayer and having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The underlayer includes: a first magnetic underlayer; and a non-magnetic underlayer formed on the first magnetic underlayer. The first magnetic underlayer is formed with such a thickness that the first magnetic underlayer does not exhibit in-plane magnetic anisotropy in a portion of the first magnetic underlayer formed on the interlayer dielectric.

Abstract: After opening a via hole, the bottom portion and the top portion are rounded by etching performed twice. As a result, resistance of the via hole can be reduced and its quality and life can be enhanced.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes: a lower magnetic layer; a barrier layer; and an upper magnetic layer. The barrier layer is provided on the lower magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer is provided on the barrier layer. One of magnetization directions of the lower magnetic layer and the upper magnetic layer is fixed. The barrier layer has a first surface which includes a surface contacted with an upper surface of the lower magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer has a second surface which includes a surface contacted with an upper surface of the barrier layer. Each of the first surface and the second surface is larger than the upper surface of the lower magnetic layer in area.