Magnetic random access memory with field compensating layer and multi-level cell

1. A spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) element configured to store a state when electrical current is applied thereto comprising:

a reference layer formed on a substrate with a plane, the reference layer and having a perpendicular magnetization associated therewith that is fixed in one direction;

a junction layer formed on top of the reference layer;

a free layer having a center and formed on top of the junction layer and having a magnetization at substantially the center of the free layer that is perpendicular relative to the plane of the substrate, the free layer being capable of changing states by switching its magnetization when electrical current is applied to the STTMRAM element;

a spacer layer formed on top of the free layer; and

a fixed layer formed on top of the spacer layer, the fixed layer having a perpendicular magnetization associated therewith that is fixed in a direction opposite to that of the reference layer, the magnetization of the free layer being parallel and switching relative to that of the reference layer, wherein an in-plane magnetic field is generated at an edge of the free layer by the fixed layer and the reference layer, the free layer further having associated therewith a coercively field that is smaller in the presence of the in-plane magnetic field.

2. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer is made of a non-magnetic material.

3. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer is multi-layered and made of ‘n’ number of a combination of an insulating layer and a conductive layer, wherein ‘n’ is an integer value.

4. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 3 , wherein at least one of the insulating layers of the spacer layer is formed on top of the free layer and at least one of the conductive layers of the spacer layer is formed on top of the insulating layer.

5. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 3 , wherein at least one of the conductive layers of the spacer layer is formed on top of the free layer and at least one of the insulating layers of the spacer layer is formed on top of the insulating layer.

6. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 3 , wherein at least one of the insulating layers of the spacer layer is made of a material selected from a group consisting of: alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), magnesium oxide (MgO), and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ).

7. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 3 , wherein at least one of the conductive layers is made of a metallic non-magnetic element or alloy.

8. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 3 , wherein at least one of the conductive layers is made from a material selected from a group consisting of: ruthenium (Ru), tantalum (Ta), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and gold (Au).

9. The STTMRAM element, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the perpendicular magnetic component of the reference layer and the perpendicular magnetic component of the fixed layer are each substantially in a center of each respective layer and each layer has an in-plane edge magnetic field that is substantially at an edge thereof that collectively produce an in-plane edge magnetization field of the free layer.