The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 05, 2006
Filed:
May. 19, 2005
William F. Witcraft, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Lonny Berg, Elk River, MN (US);
Alan Hurst, Anoka, MN (US);
William Vavra, Maple Plain, MN (US);
Mark Jenson, Zimmerman, MN (US);
William F. Witcraft, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Lonny Berg, Elk River, MN (US);
Alan Hurst, Anoka, MN (US);
William Vavra, Maple Plain, MN (US);
Mark Jenson, Zimmerman, MN (US);
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
An MRAM device comprising an array of MRAM elements, with each element having an MRAM bit influenced by a magnetic field from a current flowing through a conductor, also includes a magnetic keeper formed adjacent the conductor to advantageously alter the magnetic field. The magnetic keeper alters the magnetic field by concentrating the field within the keeper thereby reducing the extent in which fringe field exists, thus allowing the MRAM elements to be formed closer to increase the areal density of the MRAM device. Increase in magnetic field flux due to the magnetic keeper allows operation of the MRAM device with lowered power. Soft magnetic materials such as nickel iron, nickel iron cobalt, or cobalt iron may be used to form the magnetic keeper.