COMBINED SPIN-ORBIT TORQUE AND SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE SWITCHING FOR MAGNETORESISTIVE DEVICES AND METHODS THEREFOR

摘要

Spin-Hall (SH) material (135) is provided near free regions (110) of magnetoresistive devices that include magnetic tunnel junctions (110, 115, 120). Current flowing through such SH material injects spin current into the free regions such that spin torque is applied to the free regions. The spin torque generated from SH material can be used to switch the free region or to act as an assist to spin-transfer torque generated by current flowing vertically through the magnetic tunnel junction, in order to improve the reliability, endurance, or both of the magnetoresistive device. Further, one or more additional regions or manufacturing steps may improve the switching efficiency and the thermal stability of magnetoresistive devices.