Reconfigurable magnetic logic device using spin torque
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsXiaohua Lou, Dimitar Dimitrov, Song Xue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Spin torque magnetic logic devices that function as memory devices and that can be reconfigured or reprogrammed as desired. In some embodiments, the logic device is a single magnetic element, having a pinned layer, a free layer, and a barrier layer therebetween, or in other embodiments, the logic device has two magnetic elements in series. Two input currents can be applied through the element to configure or program the element. In use, logic input data, such as current, is passed through the programmed element, defining the resistance across the element and the resulting logic output. The magnetic logic device can be used for an all-function-in-one magnetic chip.
Claims20
A reconfigurable magnetic logic device comprising:
- a first magnetic logic element and a second magnetic logic element, and a non-magnetic spacer layer therebetween, each magnetic logic element comprising a ferromagnetic pinned layer, a ferromagnetic free layer and a non-magnetic barrier layer therebetween, each of the free layers having a magnetization orientation;
- an input system that defines the magnetization orientations of the free layers in accordance with a combination of a first input data and a second input data;
- and
- an output sensing system that reads an output data.
A reconfigurable magnetic logic device comprising:
- a first magnetic logic element comprising a ferromagnetic pinned layer, a ferromagnetic free layer, and a non-magnetic barrier layer therebetween, the free layer having a magnetization orientation switchable by spin torque;
- a second magnetic logic element connected in series to the first magnetic logic element with a spacer layer therebetween, the second element comprising a second ferromagnetic pinned layer, a second ferromagnetic free layer, and a second non-magnetic barrier layer therebetween, the second free layer having a magnetization orientation switchable by spin torque;
- a first input current path and a second input current path into and through the first and second magnetic logic elements that provide a flow of electrons through the first magnetic logic element and the second magnetic logic element;
- and
- a resistance sensing circuit electrically connected to the first magnetic logic element and the second magnetic logic element.
A method of programming a magnetic logic device, the method comprising:
- providing a magnetic logic device comprising:
- a first magnetic logic element and a second magnetic logic element, and a non-magnetic spacer layer therebetween, each magnetic logic element comprising a ferromagnetic pinned layer, a ferromagnetic free layer and a non-magnetic barrier layer therebetween, each of the free layers having a magnetization orientation;
- and
- an input system that defines the magnetization orientations of the free layers in accordance with a combination of a first input data and a second input data;
- and
- an output sensing system that reads an output data;
- orienting the magnetization orientation of the free layers by passing a first input current and a second input current through the magnetic logic device to form a programmed logic device;
- reading the output data and, based on the input currents, determining a logic function of the device.
A magnetic chip comprising a magnetic logic device comprising a first magnetic logic element and a second magnetic logic element connected in series, and a non-magnetic spacer layer therebetween, each magnetic logic element comprising a ferromagnetic pinned layer, a ferromagnetic free layer and a non-magnetic barrier layer therebetween, each of the free layers having a magnetization orientation;
- an input system that defines the magnetization orientations of the free layers in accordance with a combination of a first input data and a second input data;
- and
- an output sensing system that reads an output data;
- the chip configured to process information as a logic device and to store information as a non-volatile memory unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.