Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetoresistive element, including a lower electrode having crystallinity on a substrate, a first conductive layer including an amorphous state on the lower electrode, a buffer layer on the first conductive layer, and an MTJ element on the buffer layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive memory device, includes a metal buffer layer provided on a substrate, a crystalline metal nitride buffer layer provided on the metal buffer layer, and a magnetoresistive element provided on the metal nitride buffer layer. The metal nitride buffer layer and the metal buffer layer contain a same material.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a storage layer as a ferromagnetic layer which has magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to film planes, and in which a magnetization direction is variable, a reference layer as a ferromagnetic layer which has magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to film planes, and in which a magnetization direction is invariable, a tunnel barrier layer as a nonmagnetic layer formed between the storage layer and the reference layer, and a first underlayer formed on a side of the storage layer, which is opposite to a side facing the tunnel barrier layer, and containing amorphous W.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element is disclosed. The magnetoresistive element includes an underlayer containing aluminum (Al), nitrogen (N) and X. The X is an element other than Al and N. A first magnetic layer is provided on the underlayer. A nonmagnetic layer is provided on the first magnetic layer. A second magnetic layer is provided on the nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetoresistive element, including a first magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer on the nonmagnetic layer, wherein one of the first and second magnetic layers include one of Co and Fe, and a material having a higher standard electrode potential than Co and Fe.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element including a first magnetic layer; a first nonmagnetic layer provided on the first magnetic layer, the first nonmagnetic layer formed of SrTiO3, SrFeO3, LaAlO3, NdCoO3, or BN; and a second magnetic layer provided on the first nonmagnetic layer, wherein the first nonmagnetic layer is lattice-matched to the first magnetic layer, and the second magnetic layer is lattice-matched to the first nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive memory device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer provided on a side of the first or second magnetic layer opposite to the nonmagnetic layer. The third magnetic layer has a multilayer film having an artificial lattice structure, and the third magnetic layer is partly microcrystalline or amorphous.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive memory device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer provided on a side of the first or second magnetic layer opposite to the nonmagnetic layer. The third magnetic layer has a multilayer film having an artificial lattice structure, and the third magnetic layer is partly microcrystalline or amorphous.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element comprises a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic layer, a second nonmagnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer has a variable magnetization direction. The second magnetic layer has an invariable magnetization direction and includes a nonmagnetic material film and a magnetic material film. The first nonmagnetic layer is arranged between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The second nonmagnetic layer is arranged on a surface of the second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer is arranged on a surface of the second nonmagnetic layer. The second nonmagnetic layer is in contact with the nonmagnetic material film included in the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive memory device includes forming a first magnetic layer on a substrate, forming a cap layer on the first magnetic layer, heating a base including the cap layer after the cap layer is formed, forming a nonmagnetic layer on the cap layer while the base is heated, cooling the base including the nonmagnetic layer after the nonmagnetic layer is formed, and forming a second magnetic layer on the nonmagnetic layer after the base is cooled.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and an underlying layer provided on an opposite side of the first magnetic layer with respect to the intermediate layer, and the underlying layer contains AlN of a hcp structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive memory device, includes a metal buffer layer provided on a substrate, a crystalline metal nitride buffer layer provided on the metal buffer layer, and a magnetoresistive element provided on the metal nitride buffer layer. The metal nitride buffer layer and the metal buffer layer contain a same material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an insulating film, includes forming an insulating film on a substrate by sputtering, measuring a thickness of the insulating film at a plurality of locations, and irradiating a surface portion of the insulating film with X rays or ions, based on the measured thickness.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element comprises a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic layer, a second nonmagnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer has a variable magnetization direction. The second magnetic layer has an invariable magnetization direction and includes a nonmagnetic material film and a magnetic material film. The first nonmagnetic layer is arranged between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The second nonmagnetic layer is arranged on a surface of the second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer is arranged on a surface of the second nonmagnetic layer. The second nonmagnetic layer is in contact with the nonmagnetic material film included in the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element is disclosed. The magnetoresistive element includes an underlayer containing aluminum (Al), nitrogen (N) and X. The X is an element other than Al and N. A first magnetic layer is provided on the underlayer. A nonmagnetic layer is provided on the first magnetic layer. A second magnetic layer is provided on the nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistance effect element includes a reference layer, a shift canceling layer, a storage layer provided between the reference layer and the shift canceling layer, a tunnel barrier layer provided between the reference layer and the storage layer, and a spacer layer provided between the shift canceling layer and the storage layer, wherein a pattern of the storage layer is provided inside a pattern of the shift canceling layer when the patterns of the storage layer and the shift canceling layer are viewed from a direction perpendicular to the patterns of the storage layer and the shift canceling layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element comprises a storage layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with respect to a film plane and having a variable direction of magnetization, a reference layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with respect to the film plane and having an invariable direction of magnetization, a tunnel barrier layer formed between the storage layer and the reference layer and containing O, and an underlayer formed on a side of the storage layer opposite to the tunnel barrier layer. The reference layer comprises a first reference layer formed on the tunnel barrier layer side and a second reference layer formed opposite the tunnel barrier layer. The second reference layer has a higher standard electrode potential than the underlayer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magneto-resistive element includes a first ferromagnetic layer formed on a substrate, a tunnel barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer containing B formed on the tunnel barrier layer, the second magnetic layer containing therein any of He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe and N2.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes first, second and third magnetic layers, and first and second nonmagnetic layers. The third magnetic layer has stack layers including a first stack layer close to the second magnetic layer, and a second stack layer far from the second magnetic layer. Each of the first and second stack layers includes a first layer made of a ferromagnetic material and a second layer made of a nonmagnetic material, and a first ratio of a film thickness of the first layer to that of the second layer in the first stack layer is higher than a second ratio of a film thickness of the first layer to that of the second layer in the second stack layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes first and magnetic layers, first and second non-magnetic layers and a W layer. Each of the first and second magnetic layers includes an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane. The first magnetic layer has a variable magnetization direction. The second magnetic layer has an invariable magnetization direction. The first non-magnetic layer is provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The second non-magnetic layer is arranged on a surface of the first magnetic layer opposite to a surface on which the first non-magnetic layer is arranged and contains MgO. The W layer is arranged on a surface of the second non-magnetic layer opposite to a surface on which the first magnetic layer is arranged, and is in contact with the surface of the second non-magnetic layer.