IP Library Granted Patent US 7,859,891
Granted Patent B2
US 7,859,891 · App. 12/242,331 · Granted Dec 28, 2010

Static source plane in stram

Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,859,891
App. No.
12/242,331
Granted
Dec 28, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory array includes a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells arranged in an array. Each magnetic tunnel junction cell is electrically coupled between a bit line and a source line. The magnetic tunnel junction cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction cell. A word line is electrically coupled to a gate of the transistor. The source line is a common source line for the plurality of magnetic tunnel junctions.

Claims (9)

1. A method or writing to a magnetic tunnel junction cell, comprising:

applying a static source line voltage to a common source line, the common source line electrically coupled to a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells forming a memory array, a transistor electrically between each magnetic tunnel junction cell and the common source line; and

passing a write current through a selected magnetic tunnel junction cell in a first direction by grounding a bit line in electrically connection to the selected magnetic tunnel junction cell, to write a first data state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell; or

passing a write current through a selected magnetic tunnel junction cell in a second direction opposing the first direction by applying a write voltage being greater than the static source line voltage to a bit line in electrically connection to the selected magnetic tunnel junction cell, to write a second data state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising body biasing the transistor during the passing a write current through a selected magnetic tunnel junction cell in a first direction or in a second direction.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the passing a write current in a first direction and passing a write current in a second direction provides write currents that are within 20% of each other.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the passing a write current in a first direction and passing a write current in a second direction writes to the magnetic tunnel junction cell via spin-transfer torque.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the applying step comprises applying a static source line voltage to a common source line providing the static source line voltage to substantially all the transistors in the array at substantially the same time.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the static source line voltage is provided by a first voltage generator and the write voltage is provided by a second voltage generator.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HDD HOLDINGS; I365 INC.; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL; SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY (US) HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 072193/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2019
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 050483/0188 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jul 19, 2013
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; EVAULT INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.); SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 030833/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 24, 2011
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026010/0350 →
RELEASE Recorded Jan 19, 2011
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HDD HOLDINGS; MAXTOR CORPORATION; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 025662/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 15, 2009
From: MAXTOR CORPORATION; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND FIRST PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE; WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE
Reel/Frame 022757/0017 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2008
From: LI, HAI; CHEN, YIRAN; LIU, HONGYUE; WANG, XUGUANG
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 021620/0744 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100080053A1 · Apr 1, 2010