An integrated circuit includes a magneto resistive RAM (MRAM) array having a plurality of MRAM cells, and a set of at least one Hall sensor circuit, each of the set including a Hall sensor to detect a magnetic field. The integrated circuit also includes magnetic processing circuitry for receiving at least one indication from the set of at least one Hall sensor circuit. The magnetic processing circuitry including an output to provide an indication of a possible magnetic field threat to the MRAM array based on the at least one indication from the set.

A storage element includes a layer structure including a storage layer having a direction of magnetization which changes according to information, a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed direction of magnetization, and an intermediate layer disposed therebetween, which intermediate layer contains a nonmagnetic material. The magnetization fixed layer has at least two ferromagnetic layers having a direction of magnetization tilted from a direction perpendicular to a film surface, which are laminated and magnetically coupled interposing a coupling layer therebetween. This configuration may effectively prevent divergence of magnetization reversal time due to directions of magnetization of the storage layer and the magnetization fixed layer being substantially parallel or antiparallel, reduce write errors, and enable writing operation in a short time.

A storage element includes a layer structure including a storage layer having a direction of magnetization which changes according to information, a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed direction of magnetization, and an intermediate layer disposed therebetween, which intermediate layer contains a nonmagnetic material. The magnetization fixed layer has at least two ferromagnetic layers having a direction of magnetization tilted from a direction perpendicular to a film surface, which are laminated and magnetically coupled interposing a coupling layer therebetween. This configuration may effectively prevent divergence of magnetization reversal time due to directions of magnetization of the storage layer and the magnetization fixed layer being substantially parallel or antiparallel, reduce write errors, and enable writing operation in a short time.

A magnetic device and method for programming the magnetic device are described. The magnetic device includes a plurality of magnetic junctions and at least one spin-orbit interaction (SO) active layer having a plurality of sides .Iadd.and an axis.Iaddend.. The SO active layer(s) carry a current in direction(s) substantially .[.perpendicular to the plurality of sides.]. .Iadd.along the axis.Iaddend.. Each of the magnetic junction(s) is adjacent to the sides and substantially surrounds a portion of the SO active layer. Each magnetic junction includes a free layer, a reference layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the pinned and free layers. The SO active layer(s) exert a SO torque on the free layer due to the current passing through the SO active layer(s). The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states. The free layer may be written using the current and, in some aspects, another current driven through the magnetic junction.

A magnetic device and method for programming the magnetic device are described. The magnetic device includes a plurality of magnetic junctions and at least one spin-orbit interaction (SO) active layer having a plurality of sides .Iadd.and an axis.Iaddend.. The SO active layer(s) carry a current in direction(s) substantially .[.perpendicular to the plurality of sides.]. .Iadd.along the axis.Iaddend.. Each of the magnetic junction(s) is adjacent to the sides and substantially surrounds a portion of the SO active layer. Each magnetic junction includes a free layer, a reference layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the pinned and free layers. The SO active layer(s) exert a SO torque on the free layer due to the current passing through the SO active layer(s). The free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states. The free layer may be written using the current and, in some aspects, another current driven through the magnetic junction.

A Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) can include an annular structure and a planar reference magnetic layer disposed about the annular structure. The annular structure can include an annular non-magnetic layer disposed about an annular conductive layer, an annular free magnetic layer disposed about the annular non-magnetic layer, and an annular tunnel insulator disposed about the annular free magnetic layer. The planar reference magnetic layer can be separated from the free magnetic layer by the annular tunnel barrier layer.

A Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) can include an annular structure and a planar reference magnetic layer disposed about the annular structure. The annular structure can include an annular non-magnetic layer disposed about an annular conductive layer, an annular free magnetic layer disposed about the annular non-magnetic layer, and an annular tunnel insulator disposed about the annular free magnetic layer. The planar reference magnetic layer can be separated from the free magnetic layer by the annular tunnel barrier layer.

A method for forming three-dimensional magnetic memory arrays by forming crystalized silicon structures from amorphous structures in the magnetic memory array, wherein the temperature needed to crystalize the amorphous silicon is lower than the temperature budget of the memory element so as to avoid damage to the memory element. An amorphous silicon is deposited, followed by a layer of Ti or Co. An annealing process is then performed which causes the Ti or Co to form TiSi.sub.2 or CoSi.sub.2 and also causes the underlying amorphous silicon to crystallize.

A storage element includes a layer structure including a storage layer having a direction of magnetization which changes according to information, a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed direction of magnetization, and an intermediate layer disposed therebetween, which intermediate layer contains a nonmagnetic material. The magnetization fixed layer has at least two ferromagnetic layers having a direction of magnetization tilted from a direction perpendicular to a film surface, which are laminated and magnetically coupled interposing a coupling layer therebetween. This configuration may effectively prevent divergence of magnetization reversal time due to directions of magnetization of the storage layer and the magnetization fixed layer being substantially parallel or antiparallel, reduce write errors, and enable writing operation in a short time.

A storage element includes a layer structure including a storage layer having a direction of magnetization which changes according to information, a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed direction of magnetization, and an intermediate layer disposed therebetween, which intermediate layer contains a nonmagnetic material. The magnetization fixed layer has at least two ferromagnetic layers having a direction of magnetization tilted from a direction perpendicular to a film surface, which are laminated and magnetically coupled interposing a coupling layer therebetween. This configuration may effectively prevent divergence of magnetization reversal time due to directions of magnetization of the storage layer and the magnetization fixed layer being substantially parallel or antiparallel, reduce write errors, and enable writing operation in a short time.