Andrew Lyle

Low writing energy and sub nanosecond spin torque transfer switching of in-plane magnetic tunnel junction for spin torque transfer random access memory

This work investigated in-plane MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for the application of spin torque transfer random access memory (STT-RAM). The MTJ in this work had an resistance area product (RA) = 4.3 Ω·μm2, tunneling magnetoresistance ratio ∼135%, thermal stability factor Δ(H)=68 (by field measurement), and Δ(I) = 50 (by current measurement). The optimal writing energy was found to be 0.286 pJ per bit at 1.54 ns for antiparallel (AP) state to parallel (P) state switching, and 0.706 pJ per bit at 0.68 ns for P state to AP state switching. Ultra fast spin torque transfer (STT) switching was also observed in this sample at 580 ps (AP to P) and 560 ps (P to AP). As a result, 0.6–1.3 GHz was determined to be the optimal writing rate from writing energy consumption of view. These results show that in-plane MgO MTJs are still a viable candidate as the fast memory cell for STT-RAM.

Deep subnanosecond spin torque switching in magnetic tunnel junctions with combined in-plane and perpendicular polarizers

We show that adding a perpendicular polarizer to a conventional spin torque memory element with an in-plane free layer and an in-plane polarizer can significantly increase the write speed and decrease the write energy of the element. We demonstrate the operation of such spin torque memory elements with write energies of 0.4 pJ and write times of 0.12 ns.

Magnetic Tunnel Junction-Based Spintronic Logic Units Operated by Spin Transfer Torque

Magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ)-based programmable logic devices have been proposed and studied for future reconfigurable and nonvolatile computation devices and systems. Spin transfer torque (STT)-based switching has advantages in device scaling compared to the field-switching mechanism. However, the previously proposed MTJ logic devices have operated independently and, therefore, are limited to only basic logic operations. Consequently, the MTJ device has only been used as an ancillary device, rather than the main computation device. As a result, the full benefits of MTJ-based computation have not been explored. New designs are needed to accelerate the development of the MTJ-based logic devices. Specifically the realization of direct communication between the MTJ devices is crucial to fully utilize the MTJ devices in the circuits to implement more advanced logic functions. In this paper, new MTJ-based spintronic logic units (building blocks) for spintronic circuits using the STT switching mechanism have been proposed and investigated, which includes the designs of a basic STT-MTJ logic cell, a direct communication between the MTJ logic cells, a three-MTJ logic unit and a spintronic logic circuit acting as an arithmetic logic unit.

Direct communication between magnetic tunnel junctions for nonvolatile logic fan-out architecture

We experimentally demonstrated a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) based circuit that allows direct communication between elements without intermediate sensing amplifiers. The input of the circuit consists of three MTJs connected in parallel. The direct communication is realized by connecting the output in series with the input and applying voltage across the series connections. Combining the circuit with complementary metal oxide semiconductor current mirrors allows for fan-out to multiple outputs. The change in resistance at the input resulted in a voltage swing across the output of 150–200 mV for the closest input states which is sufficient to realize all of the Boolean primitives.

Sub-200ps spin transfer torque switching in in-plane magnetic tunnel junctions with interface perpendicular anisotropy

Ultrafast spin transfer torque (STT) switching in an in-plane MgO magnetic tunnel junction with 50 nm×150 nm elliptical shape was demonstrated in this paper. Switching speeds as short as 165 ps and 190 ps at 50% and 98% switching probabilities, respectively, were observed without external field assistance in a thermally stable junction with a 101% tunnelling magnetoresistance ratio. The minimum writing energy of P-AP switching for 50% and 98% switching probability are 0.16 pJ and 0.21 pJ, respectively. The observed ultrafast switching is believed to occur because of partially cancelled out-of-plane demagnetizing field in the free layer from interface perpendicular anisotropy between the MgO layer and the Co20Fe60B20 layer. High J/Jc0 ratio and magnetization nucleation at the edge of free layer, which result from the reduced perpendicular demagnetizing field, are possibly two major factors that contribute to the ultrafast STT switching.

Reduction of switching current density in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions by tuning the anisotropy of the CoFeB free layer

The spin torque switching behavior of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions consisting of a CoFeB free layer and a CoFeB/Ru/(Co/Pd)n exchanged coupled fixed layer is investigated. At first, the Ru and CoFeB layer thickness is tuned in the CoFeB/Ru/(Co/Pd)n structure to form a ferromagnetically exchange coupled structure with a strong PMA at an annealing treatment of 325 °C for 1 h. Then it is shown that that the CoFeB free layer thickness plays an important role in the switching current density. The switching current density decreases with the increase of the CoFeB free layer thickness. A minimum switching current density of 1.87 MA/cm2 is achieved for a device with 60 nm diameter. The mechanism involved in the switching current reduction with the decrease of CoFeB free layer thickness is also studied.

High temperature annealing stability of magnetic properties in MgO-based perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction stacks with CoFeB polarizing layer

We studied Co/Pd multilayers (MLs) and CoFeB spin polarizing layer for MgO-based perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) by engineering the exchange coupling between CoFeB and Co/Pd MLs and the interface morphology of Co and Pd in Co/Pd MLs. One of the key challenges of maintaining perpendicular anisotropy in both the fixed and free layers was achieved by tuning the energy balance between the Co/Pd MLs and the CoFeB layers. A perpendicular squareness ratio of near unity in M–H loops of full stack structures clearly indicated excellent perpendicular anisotropy even after annealing at 350 °C for 1 h in vacuum. Very low intermixing with sharp Co/Pd interfaces confirmed by the small angle x-ray reflectivity measurements was believed to be the key to high temperature annealing stability of magnetic properties. Our results shed light on the mechanisms resulting in low TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) for Co/M (M=Pd, Pt, Ni) multilayer-based MTJs in this study as well as in previously published reports.

Spintronic logic gates for spintronic data using magnetic tunnel junctions

The emerging field of spintronics is undergoing exciting developments with the advances recently seen in spintronic devices, such as magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). While they make excellent memory devices, recently they have also been used to accomplish logic functions. The properties of MTJs are greatly different from those of electronic devices like CMOS semiconductors. This makes it challenging to design circuits that can efficiently leverage the spintronic capabilities. The current approaches to achieving logic functionality with MTJs include designing an integrated CMOS and MTJ circuit, where CMOS devices are used for implementing the required intermediate read and write circuitry. The problem with this approach is that such intermediate circuitry adds overheads of area, delay and power consumption to the logic circuit. In this paper, we present a circuit to accomplish logic operations using MTJs on data that is stored in other MTJs, without an intermediate electronic circuitry. This thus reduces the performance overheads of the spintronic circuit while also simplifying fabrication. With this circuit, we discuss the notion of performing logic operations with a non-volatile memory device and compare it with the traditional method of computation with separate logic and memory units. We find that the MTJ-based logic unit has the potential to offer a higher energy-delay efficiency than that of a CMOS-based logic operation on data stored in a separate memory module.

Probing dipole coupled nanomagnets using magnetoresistance read

We experimentally demonstrated magnetoresistance (MR) read of dipole coupled nanomagnets using magnetic tunnel junctions. The MR allowed the magnetic state of individual nanomagnets to be electrically measured. The sensitivity of the read scheme enabled a systematic study regarding the nanomagnet spacing and revealed a transition in behavior. Below a spacing of 15 nm the dipole field overcomes the individual shape anisotropy and redefines the individual element easy axis along the direction transmission line. The demonstration of MR electrical read marks a significant step forward for applications such as magnetic quantum cellular automata logic devices.

Magnetic Tunnel Junction Logic Architecture for Realization of Simultaneous Computation and Communication

We investigated magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)-based circuit that allows direct communication between elements without intermediate sensing amplifiers. Two- and three-input circuits that consist of two and three MTJs connected in parallel, respectively, were fabricated and are compared. The direct communication is realized by connecting the output in series with the input and applying voltage across the series connections. The logic circuit relies on the fact that a change in resistance at the input modulates the voltage that is needed to supply the critical current for spin-transfer torque switching the output. The change in the resistance at the input resulted in a voltage swing of 50-200 mV and 250-300 mV for the closest input states for the three and two input designs, respectively. The two input logic gate realizes the AND, NAND, NOR, and OR logic functions. The three-input logic function realizes the majority, AND, NAND, NOR, and OR logic operations.