MRAM Heat Sink Structure for In-Plane Write Current Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of spin-polarized current in the in-plane direction of magnetic recording layers in MRAMs for data writing leads to heat generation and reliability issues due to high electric resistivity, causing temperature increases that affect the operation of magnetic random access memory.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat sink structure opposed to the magnetic recording layer to radiate heat generated during write operations, which includes magnetization free and fixed regions with non-magnetic layers and strategically positioned interconnections that function as heat sinks to improve heat radiation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spin-polarized current is flown in the in-plane direction of the magnetic recording layer for data writing, then magnetization inversion is achieved, but heat generation increases due to high electric resistivity
Solution Approach 1:
A heat sink structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnetic recording layer and the surrounding environment. This heat sink serves as a mediator to facilitate heat transfer from the high-resistivity magnetic recording layer to a lower-resistivity path, effectively reducing the temperature increase caused by spin-polarized current flow during write operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional approach of managing heat through material selection alone with an active heat sink structure that provides a dedicated thermal management path. This substitution introduces a separate thermal conduction pathway that does not interfere with the electrical function of the magnetic recording layer.
2Ease of operation
If the resistance of the magnetic recording layer is high in the in-plane direction, then spin-polarized current can be flown for magnetization inversion, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink structure extracts the harmful thermal energy from the magnetic recording layer separately from the electrical current path. By providing a dedicated thermal conduction pathway, the system removes heat as a distinct function, allowing the magnetic recording layer to maintain its necessary electrical resistance for spin-polarized current flow while preventing excessive heat accumulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The heat sink structure effectively suppresses temperature increases caused by write currents, enhancing the reliability and performance of MRAMs by efficiently radiating heat away from the magnetic recording layer.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink structure provided to be opposed to the magnetic recording layer and having a function of receiving and radiating heat generated in the magnetic recording layer
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink structure provided to be opposed to the magnetic recording layer and having a function of receiving and radiating heat generated in the magnetic recording layer
Implementation Method 3
The resistance of the magnetic recording layer is inevitably high in the in-plane direction... feeding the spin-polarized current in the in-plane direction of the magnetic recording layer for data write increases the temperature of the memory cell
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic random access memory according to the present invention is provided with: a magnetic recording layer including a magnetization free region having a reversible magnetization, wherein a write current is flown through the magnetic recording layer in an in-plane direction; a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed magnetization; a non-magnetic layer provided between the magnetization free region and the magnetization fixed layer; and a heat sink structure provided to be opposed to the magnetic recording layer and having a function of receiving and radiating heat generated in the magnetic recording layer. The magnetic random access memory thus-structured radiates heat generated in the magnetic recording layer by using the heat sink structure, suppressing the temperature increase caused by the write current flown in the in-plane direction.