A perpendicular magnetoresistive element comprises a novel buffer layer having rocksalt crystal structure interfacing to a CoFeB-based recording tri-layer has (100) plane parallel to the substrate plane and with {110} lattice parameter being slightly larger than the bcc CoFe lattice parameter along {100} direction, and crystallization process of amorphous CoFeB material in the recording layer during thermal annealing leads to form bcc CoFe grains having epitaxial growth with in-plane expansion and out-of-plane contraction. Accordingly, a perpendicular anisotropy, as well as a perpendicular magnetization, is induced in the recording layer. The invention preferably includes materials, configurations and processes of perpendicular magnetoresistive elements suitable for perpendicular spin-transfer torque MRAM applications.

A magnetoresistive random access memory and a method for manufacturing the same are provided, with which a stress layer covers a part of the protective layer along a direction of a current in the spin-orbit coupling layer, so that a stress is generated on the part of the magnetic layer locally due to the stress layer, thus a lateral asymmetric structure is formed in a direction perpendicular to the current source. In a case that a current is supplied to the spin-orbit coupling layer, the spin-orbit coupling effect in the magnetic layer is asymmetric due to the stress on the part of the magnetic layer, thereby realizing a deterministic switching of the magnetic moment under the function of the stress.

A magnetic memory device includes a buffer layer on a substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction structure including a fixed layer structure, a tunnel barrier, and a free layer that are sequentially arranged on the buffer layer, and a spin-orbit torque (SOT) structure on the magnetic tunnel junction structure and including a topological insulator material, wherein the free layer includes a Heusler material.

A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is disclosed wherein first and second interfaces of a free layer (FL) with a first metal oxide (Hk enhancing layer) and second metal oxide (tunnel barrier), respectively, produce perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) to increase thermal stability. In some embodiments, a capping layer that is a conductive metal nitride such as MoN contacts an opposite surface of the Hk enhancing layer with respect to the first interface to reduce interdiffusion of oxygen and nitrogen compared with a TiN capping layer and maintain an acceptable resistancearea (RA) product. In other embodiments, the capping layer may comprise an insulating nitride such as AlN that is alloyed with a conductive metal to minimize RA. Furthermore, a metallic buffer layer may be inserted between the capping layer and Hk enhancing layer. As a result, electrical shorts are reduced and the magnetoresistive ratio is increased.

A perpendicularly magnetized magnetic tunnel junction (p-MTJ) is disclosed wherein a boron containing free layer (FL) is subjected to a plasma treatment with inert gas, and a natural oxidation (NOX) process to form B.sub.2O.sub.3 before overlying layers are deposited. A metal layer such as Mg is deposited on the FL as a first step in forming a Hk enhancing layer that increases FL perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, or as a first step in forming a tunnel barrier layer on the FL. One or more anneal steps are essential in assisting B.sub.2O.sub.3 segregation from the free layer and thereby increasing the FL magnetic moment. A post-oxidation plasma treatment may also be used to partially remove B.sub.2O.sub.3 proximate to the FL top surface before the metal layer is deposited. Both plasma treatments use low power (<50 Watts) to remove a maximum of 2 Angstroms FL thickness.

A switching device is disclosed. The switching device includes a spin-orbit coupling (SOC) layer, a pure spin conductor (PSC) layer disposed atop the SOC layer, a ferromagnetic (FM) layer disposed atop the PSC layer, and a normal metal (NM) layer sandwiched between the PSC layer and the FM layer. The PSC layer is a ferromagnetic insulator (FMI) is configured to funnel spins from the SOC layer onto the NM layer and to further provide a charge insulation so as to substantially eliminate current shunting from the SOC layer while allowing spins to pass through. The NM layer is configured to funnel spins from the PSC layer into the FM layer.

A magnetic random access memory assisted non-volatile Hall effect device includes a spin orbit torque layer disposed over a substrate, and a magnetic layer disposed over the spin orbit torque layer. A metal oxide layer disposed over the magnetic layer. Portions of the spin orbit torque layer extend outward from the magnetic layer and the metal oxide layer on opposing sides of a first direction and opposing sides of a second direction in plan view, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

Embodiments of the present invention include multiple independent terminals for a plurality of devices in a stack configuration within a semiconductor. In one embodiment, a multi terminal fabrication process comprises: performing an initial pillar layer formation process to create layers of a multi terminal stack; forming a first device in the layers of the multi terminal stack; forming a second device in the layers of the multi terminal stack; and constructing a set of terminals comprising: a first terminal coupled to the first device, a second terminal coupled to the second device; and a third terminal coupled to the first device; wherein at least two terminals in the set of terminals are independent. The third terminal can be coupled to the second device.

Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell comprising a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ device comprises a stack of layers, comprising a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate. A seed layer disposed over the bottom electrode. A buffer layer is disposed between the bottom electrode and the seed layer. The buffer layer prevents diffusion of a diffusive species from the bottom electrode to the seed layer.

An array of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) spin torque oscillators (STOs) is described. Each STO is comprised of a uniform, chemically synthesized, spherical nanoparticle which couples to current flowing along a surface. The particles are organized into an array by a self-assembly technique with uniform spacing and close proximity to allow strong electrical and magnetic coupling between particles. The coupling of the nanoparticles to the surface current drives the oscillations by spin-torque, and for phase locking and data input. The uniform, spherical shape of the particles allows the oscillations to be achieved at low currents and with low power dissipation. The MNP-STOs may be used as a basis for massively parallel computing, microwave oscillators, or other applications.