Spin transfer effect in magnetic tunnel junction with a nano-current-channel Layer in free layer

The current-induced magnetization switching (spin transfer effect) in a low resistance-area (RA) product magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device with critical current density of 1.4/spl times/10/sup 7/ A/cm/sup 2/ was demonstrated. The RA product of the MTJ is 4.2 /spl Omega//spl mu/m/sup 2/ and the magnetoresistance (MR) ratio induced by current is up to 16%. An MTJ structure with a novel nano-current-channel (NCC) layer inserted into the free layer for the current-induced magnetization switching by lower current density was proposed and prototyped. By using the current confined effect, the local current density in the integrated free layer was sufficiently high to switch the magnetization locally. Such local magnetization reversal helped to reverse the magnetic moments around together with the polarized current and spread out the switching of the entire free layer through the superparamagnetic nano-channels. The critical current density was reduced to 4.2/spl times/10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/, which is only one quarter of that for a pure MTJ structure.