JP6436348B2 - Magnetic element, skyrmion memory, skyrmion memory device, data processing device, solid state electronic device equipped with skyrmion memory, data recording device, data processing device and data communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic element capable of generating, erasing, and detecting skyrmions, a skyrmion memory, a skyrmion memory device, a solid state electronic device equipped with a skyrmion memory, a data recording device, a data processing device, and a data communication device.

  Magnetic elements that use the magnetic moment of a magnetic material as digital information are known. The magnetic element has a nanoscale magnetic structure that functions as an element of a non-volatile memory that does not require power when holding information. The magnetic element is expected to be applied as a large-capacity information storage medium due to advantages such as ultra-high density due to the nanoscale magnetic structure, and the importance of the electronic device as a memory device is increasing.

  As another candidate of the next generation type memory magnetic device, a magnetic shift register has been proposed mainly in the US IBM. The magnetic shift register drives the magnetic domain domain wall, transfers the magnetic moment arrangement with current, and reads stored information (see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing the principle of magnetic domain domain wall drive by current. A domain domain wall is a boundary between magnetic regions in which the directions of magnetic moments are opposite to each other. In FIG. 37, the domain domain wall in the magnetic shift register 1 is indicated by a solid line. The magnetic domain domain wall is driven by passing a current in the direction of the arrow through the magnetic shift register 1. The movement of the domain domain wall changes the magnetism due to the direction of the magnetic moment located above the magnetic sensor 2. The magnetic change is detected by the magnetic sensor 2 to extract magnetic information.

  However, such a magnetic shift register 1 has the disadvantages that a large current is required to move the magnetic domain domain wall and the transfer speed of the magnetic domain domain wall is slow.

In view of this, the inventor of the present application has proposed a skirmion magnetic element using skirmions generated in a magnetic material as a storage unit (see Patent Document 2). In this proposal, the inventors have shown that skyrmions can be driven by current.
[Prior art documents]
[Patent Literature]
[Patent Document 1] US Pat. No. 6,834,005 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2014-86470
[Non-Patent Document 1] Naoto Naga Nagato, Yoshinori Tokura, “Topological properties and dynamics”, Nature Nanotechnology, United Kingdom, Nature Publishing Group, 12th month, 12th month. 8, p899-911.

  Skyrmions have a very small magnetic structure with a diameter of 1 nm to 500 nm, and the structure can be held for a long time. Therefore, expectations for application to memory elements are increasing. However, the details of the mechanism of generation, elimination and detection of skyrmions were not clear.

  Therefore, the present inventor clarified the details of the relationship between the generation and erasure states of skirmions, invented a magnetic element and skirmion memory capable of generating and erasing skirmions with an electric field, and detecting skirmions. An object of the present invention is to provide a solid state electronic device, a data recording device, a data processing device, and a data communication device with a Lumion memory.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic element capable of generating and erasing skyrmions, surrounding a thin layered magnetic body and an end region including the end of the magnetic body on one surface of the magnetic body. Provided is a magnetic element comprising an electric field generating electrode provided and a skirmion detection element that detects generation and erasure of skirmions.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic element according to the first aspect, wherein the magnetic element has a multilayer structure in which the magnetic elements are stacked in the thickness direction.

  In a third aspect of the present invention, a magnetic element according to the first aspect, a magnetic field generating unit that is provided to face one surface of the magnetic body and applies a magnetic field to the magnetic body from the first direction, and an electric field of the magnetic element Connected to the first power source capable of generating an electric field in the end region by applying voltage to the generating electrode and the skirmion detection element, and based on the detection result of the skirmion detection element, generation of skirmion And a skyrmion memory including a measurement unit for measuring erasure.

  In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to generate a plurality of skillion memories in which the skillion memory according to the third aspect is configured as one storage unit memory and a plurality of skillion memories. Skill Mion generation lines connected to Skill Mion memory, Skill Mion deletion lines connected to multiple Skill Mion memories, and Lead lines that detect presence or absence of Skill Mions to erase Skill Mions in multiple Skill Mion memories And a field effect transistor for selecting a skillmion memory for a skillmion generation line, a skillmion erasing line, and a lead line, and a detection circuit for amplifying a current or voltage flowing in the lead line and detecting the presence or absence of the skillmion. Provide Skyrmion memory device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate, a field effect transistor formed on the substrate, and a skyrmion memory device stacked above the field effect transistor, wherein the skyrmion memory device is the third aspect. Provided is a data processing device equipped with a skillmion memory having at least one skillmion memory.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a skillion memory-equipped solid-state electronic device in which a skillion memory device and a solid-state electronic device each having at least one skillion memory according to the third aspect are formed in the same chip. To do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data recording device, a data processing device, and a data communication device equipped with a skillion memory device comprising at least one skillion memory according to the third aspect.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a skyrmion which is a nanoscale magnetic structure of the magnetic moment in a magnetic body. It is a figure which shows skill mions from which helicity (gamma) differs. It is a schematic diagram of the skillmion memory 100 that enables generation, deletion, and detection of skillmions. The magnetic field dependence of the magnetic phase in a chiral magnetic material is schematically shown. The time dependence of _Da in the end region A is shown. The magnetic body size and electrode size in the simulation experiment are shown. The simulation result of the skill state 40 in the generation state at time t = 660 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the skill state 40 in the generation state at time t = 1100 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the skill state 40 in the generation state at time t = 1380 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the skill state 40 in the generation state at time t = 3380 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the state of the skillion 40 at time t = 4740 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the erased state of the skillion 40 at time t = 5680 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the erased state of the skillion 40 at time t = 5820 (1 / J) is shown. The simulation result of the erased state of the skillion 40 at time t = 60801 / J) is shown. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the electric field generation electrode 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the electric field generation electrode 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the electric field generation electrode 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the electric field generation electrode 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the electric field generation electrode 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the electric field generation electrode 12. FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a skill-mion memory 100. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a skill-mion memory 100. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a skill-mion memory 100. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a skill-mion memory 100. A cross-sectional view of the skyrmion memory device 110 is shown. A sectional view of a device 110 equipped with a skyrmion memory and an FET is shown. A skyrmion memory device 110 in which n layers of magnetic elements 10 are stacked is shown. A skyrmion memory device 110 having a plurality of magnetic field generators 20 is shown. A cross-sectional view of a skyrmion memory device 110 in which the skyrmion memory 100 is mounted on the upper layer of the CMOS-FET 90 is shown. 2 shows an example of a write circuit of a skyrmion memory device 110. 2 shows an example of an erase circuit of the skyrmion memory device 110. 2 shows an example of a read circuit of a skyrmion memory device 110. The structural example of the solid electronic device 200 with a skyrmion memory is shown. 2 shows a configuration example of a data recording apparatus 300. 2 shows a configuration example of a data processing device 400. 2 shows a configuration example of a data communication apparatus 500. It is a schematic diagram which shows the principle of the magnetic domain drive by an electric current.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  An example of a magnetic material that can form skyrmions is a chiral magnetic material. A chiral magnetic body is a magnetic body in which the magnetic moment arrangement when no external magnetic field is applied becomes a magnetic ordered phase (helical magnetic phase) that rotates on a spiral with respect to the direction of travel of the magnetic moment. By applying an external magnetic field, the helical magnetic phase becomes a ferromagnetic phase through the skirmion crystal phase that stabilizes skirmions arranged in the close-packed crystal lattice.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a skyrmion 40 that is a nanoscale magnetic structure in the magnetic body 11. In FIG. 1, each arrow indicates the direction of the magnetic moment in the skyrmion 40. The x axis and the y axis are axes orthogonal to each other, and the z axis is an axis orthogonal to the xy plane.

  The magnetic body 11 has a plane parallel to the xy plane. A magnetic moment directed in every direction arranged in the magnetic body 11 constitutes the skyrmion 40. In this example, the direction of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic body 11 is the plus z direction. In this case, the magnetic moment on the outermost periphery of the skillion 40 of this example is directed in the plus z direction.

  In the skyrmion 40, the magnetic moment is arranged so as to rotate in a spiral shape from the outermost circumference toward the inside. Further, the direction of the magnetic moment gradually changes from the plus z direction to the minus z direction toward the center of the vortex with the spiral rotation.

  In the skyrmion 40, the direction of the magnetic moment is continuously twisted between the center and the outermost periphery. That is, the skyrmion 40 is a nanoscale magnetic structure having a spiral structure of magnetic moment. When the magnetic material 11 in which the skyrmion 40 is present is a thin plate-like solid material, the magnetic moment constituting the skyrmion 40 is constituted by the magnetic moment having the same direction in the thickness direction. That is, the plate has a magnetic moment in the same direction from the front surface to the back surface in the depth direction (z direction). In this example, the outermost periphery refers to the circumference of a magnetic moment that faces the same direction as the external magnetic field shown in FIG.

  The skyrmion number Nsk characterizes the skyrmion 40, which is a nanoscale magnetic structure having a spiral structure. The following [Equation 1] and [Equation 2] express the number of skirmions Nsk. In [Expression 2], the polar angle Θ (r) between the magnetic moment and the z-axis is a continuous function of the distance r from the center of the skyrmion 40. The polar angle Θ (r) changes from π to zero or from zero to π when r is changed from 0 to ∞.

The vector quantity n (r) represents the direction of the magnetic moment of the skyrmion 40 at the position r.

  In [Expression 2], m is a voltility, and γ is a helicity. From [Equation 1] and [Equation 2], when Θ (r) changes r from ∞ to ∞ and changes from π to zero, Nsk = −m.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing skyrmions 40 having different helicities γ. In particular, FIG. 2 shows an example in the case where the number of skirmions Nsk = −1.

FIG. 2E shows how to coordinate the magnetic moment n (right-handed system). Since a right-handed, n _z axis relative to n _x axis and n _y axis, taken from the rear of the sheet in front of the orientation. Further, FIG. 2E shows the relationship between the shading and the direction of the magnetic moment.

  2A to 2D, the shading indicates the direction of the magnetic moment. Each arrow in FIG. 2 (A) to FIG. 2 (D) indicates a magnetic moment that is separated from the center of the skyrmion 40 by a predetermined distance. The magnetic structure shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D is in a state where the skyrmion 40 is defined. As shown in the outermost periphery of FIGS. 2A to 2D, the lightest shaded area indicates a magnetic moment in the forward direction from the back side of the paper. In the figure, the magnetic moment is shown in white. As shown in the center of FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D, the darkest region shows the magnetic moment in the direction from the front of the paper to the back. In the figure, the magnetic moment is represented in black.

  2A (γ = 0) with respect to the magnetic moments in FIG. 2B (γ = π), the magnetic moments in FIG. 2A are rotated by 180 °. The direction. 2A (γ = 0), the direction of each magnetic moment in FIG. 2C (γ = −π / 2) is the same as that in FIG. 2A. The direction is rotated 90 degrees (90 degrees clockwise).

  The direction of each magnetic moment in FIG. 2D (γ = π / 2) is 90 degrees with respect to each magnetic moment in FIG. 2A (γ = 0). The direction is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. 2 is equivalent to the skillion 40 of FIG. 1. The skillion 40 of the helicity γ = π / 2 shown in FIG.

  The four examples shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D appear to be different in magnetic structure, but are topologically identical. The skyrmions 40 having the structures shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D exist stably once generated, and function as a carrier responsible for information transmission in the magnetic body 11 to which an external magnetic field is applied.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic element 10 that enables generation, erasure, and detection of the skyrmion 40. The skillion memory 100 stores bit information using the skillion 40 generated in the magnetic body 11. For example, the presence / absence of the skillion 40 in the magnetic body 11 corresponds to 1-bit information. The skyrmion memory 100 of this example includes a magnetic element 10, a magnetic field generation unit 20, a measurement unit 30, and a voltage application power source 50. The skyrmion memory 100 generates an electric field between the electric field generating electrode 12 placed on the magnetic body 11 and the magnetic field generating unit 20. Further, the magnetic body 11 instead of the magnetic field generator 20 may be used as the other electrode.

  The magnetic element 10 can generate and erase the skyrmion 40. The magnetic element 10 of this example is an element formed in a thin layer having a thickness of 500 nm or less. For example, it is formed using a technique such as MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxy) or sputtering. The magnetic element 10 includes a magnetic body 11, an electric field generating electrode 12, and a skirmion detection element 15.

  The magnetic body 11 develops at least a skyrmion crystal phase and a ferromagnetic phase according to an applied magnetic field. The skirmion crystal phase refers to a material that can generate skirmion 40 in the magnetic body 11. For example, the magnetic body 11 is a chiral magnetic body and is formed of FeGe, MnSi, and CoZn. The magnetic body 11 may have a laminated structure of a magnetic body and a non-magnetic body.

  The magnetic body 11 may be surrounded by an insulating material or the like generally used in a semiconductor process. Further, the magnetic body 11 may be non-magnetic and surround all directions. The magnetic body 11 may be connected to the magnetic body 11 of the adjacent magnetic element 10. A nonmagnetic layer may be provided between the magnetic body 11 and the magnetic body 11 of the adjacent magnetic element 10. The magnetic body 11 may be formed in a thin layer shape. The magnetic body 11 may have a thickness of about 10 times or less the diameter of the skillion 40, for example. The diameter of the skillion 40 refers to the outermost diameter of the skillion.

  The electric field generating electrode 12 covers a region including one end of the magnetic body 11 on one surface of the magnetic body 11. For example, the fact that the electric field generating electrode 12 covers the end of the magnetic body 11 means that an electric field is applied to at least the end of the magnetic body 11. The electric field generating electrode 12 may be electrically isolated from the magnetic body 11 using an insulating material or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the electric field generating electrode 12 may be an electrode formed in a square shape including a right angle. In this example, the other electrode corresponding to the electric field generating electrode 12 is the magnetic field generating unit 20. In this case, a voltage is applied from the voltage application power source 50 to the electric field generating electrode 12, and the magnetic field generating unit 20 becomes the reference voltage. Thereby, the skyrmion memory 100 generates an electric field in the magnetic body 11. The material of the electric field generating electrode 12 may be a magnetic metal or a nonmagnetic metal as long as it can generate an electric field in the magnetic body 11. For example, the electric field generating electrode 12 is formed of a nonmagnetic metal material such as Cu, W, Ti, Al, Pt, Au, TiN, and AlSi.

  In the present specification, a region including the end portion of the magnetic body 11 covered with the electric field generating electrode 12 is referred to as an end region A. The electric field generating electrode 12 of the present example has an end region A that crosses the end of the magnetic body 11 at least once from the non-magnetic body side to the magnetic body 11 side in the xy plane. That is, the electric field generating electrode 12 covers a region including the end of the magnetic body 11. The electric field intensity in the end region A is Ea.

  The skirmion detection element 15 functions as a magnetic sensor for detecting skirmion. That is, the skyrmion detection element 15 detects the generation and deletion of the skyrmion 40. The skyrmion detection element 15 includes a first detection electrode 153 and a second detection electrode 154.

  The first detection electrode 153 is in contact with the magnetic body 11 at the same layer at one end of the magnetic body 11. One end of the magnetic body 11 may be either the top, bottom, left or right end as long as it is an end of the magnetic body 11. The first detection electrode 153 may be in contact with at least a part of one end of the magnetic body 11.

  The measurement unit 30 is connected to the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154. The measurement unit 30 measures the resistance value of the magnetic body 11 between the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154. The resistance value between the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 corresponds to the resistance value of the magnetic body 11 and changes according to the generation and erasure of the skyrmion 40. For example, when the skyrmion 40 does not exist, since the magnetic body 11 is a ferromagnetic body, its magnetic moment is aligned in the + z direction. In this case, the polarization of the electron spin flowing between the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 is in the same + z direction as that of the magnetic body 11. On the other hand, when the skyrmion 40 is present, the magnetic body 11 has a spiral magnetic moment of the skyrmion, and the magnetic moment has magnetic moments in many directions other than the z direction. For this reason, the effect of spin scattering acting on the electron spin flowing between the first electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 is greater than when the skyrmion 40 is not present. As a result, the resistance value flowing between the first electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 changes according to the presence or absence of the skyrmion 40. That is, the resistance value of the magnetic body 11 is higher in the case where the skyrmion 40 is present than in the case where the skyrmion 40 is not present. The measuring unit 30 can detect the generation and erasure of the skyrmion 40 by measuring the change in the resistance value of the magnetic body 11. In this case, the electrode area may be reduced by providing electrodes at both ends of the magnetic body 11, so that the degree of integration can be improved.

  The magnetic field generator 20 generates a magnetic field H and applies it in the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the magnetic body 11 perpendicular to the magnetic body 11. The back surface of the magnetic body 11 refers to the surface of the magnetic body 11 on the magnetic field generation unit 20 side. In the present embodiment, only one magnetic field generator 20 is used. However, as long as the magnetic field generator 20 can apply a magnetic field perpendicular to the magnetic body 11, a plurality of magnetic field generators 20 may be used. The number and arrangement of the magnetic field generators 20 are not limited to this.

  The measurement unit 30 includes a measurement current source 31 and a voltmeter 32. The measurement current source 31 is provided between the magnetic body 11 and the skyrmion detection element 15. The voltmeter 32 measures a voltage when a current is supplied from the measurement current source 31. The measurement unit 30 can detect the presence or absence of the skirmion 40 with a small amount of power by using the highly sensitive skirmion detection element 15.

  The voltage application power source 50 is connected between the electric field generating electrode 12 and the magnetic field generating unit 20. When generating the skyrmion 40, the voltage application power supply 50 generates an electric field in the end region A from the back surface to the front surface of the magnetic body 11. On the other hand, when erasing the skyrmion 40, the voltage application power supply 50 may apply a voltage in the opposite direction to that when the skyrmion 40 is generated. When a plurality of electric field generating electrodes 12 are provided, a plurality of voltage application power sources 50 may be provided according to the number of electric field generating electrodes 12.

  As described above, the skyrmion memory 100 generates and erases the skyrmion 40 by generating an electric field in the magnetic body 11. The electric field generated in the magnetic body 11 strongly acts on the spin-orbit interaction of the magnetic body 11 and strongly modulates the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction. When the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction increases, a force that strongly twists the magnetic moment at the end of the magnetic body 11 is generated. When the magnetic body 11 is in contact with the non-magnetic body, the magnetic moment at the end of the magnetic body 11 is stable in the direction twisted from the z-axis direction. As a result, the skyrmion 40 is generated starting from the magnetic moment at the end of the magnetic body 11. Therefore, if an electric field is generated in the magnetic body 11 so as to increase the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction, the skyrmion 40 can be generated from the end of the magnetic body 11. Thus, the magnitude of the electric field may be adjusted according to the number of stacked magnetic bodies 11. Next, generation and erasure of skyrmions 40 in the chiral magnetic material will be described in detail using examples.

[Example 1]
In Example 1, the simulation experiment result in the case of generating the skyrmion 40 is shown. [Equation 3] and [Equation 4] below describe the motion of the skillion 40.

Here, [Equation 3] and [Equation 4] are associated with each other by B _r ^eff = − (1 / (hΓ)) (∂H / M _r ). J is a constant specific to the material and is an exchange interaction energy. Γ = gμ _B / h (> 0) is the gyromagnetic ratio. h is a Planck's constant. M _r indicates a magnetic moment of magnitude M, and M _r = M · n (r). n (r) is represented by [Equation 2]. In the above [Equation 3] and [Equation 4], x indicates an outer product.

  The Hamiltonian H shown in [Equation 4] indicates a Hamiltonian when the magnetic body 11 is a chiral magnetic body. When the magnetic body 11 is any one of a dipole magnetic body, a frustrated magnetic body, and a magnetic body having a laminated structure of a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material, the magnetic body 11 may be replaced with a Hamiltonian H corresponding to each magnetic body. Here, the dipole magnetic body is a magnetic body in which magnetic dipole interaction is important. The frustrated magnetic body is a magnetic body including a spatial structure of magnetic interaction that favors a magnetic mismatch state. A magnetic body having a laminated structure of a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material is a magnetic body in which the magnetic moment of the magnetic material in contact with the nonmagnetic material is modulated by the spin-orbit interaction of the nonmagnetic material.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the magnetic field dependence of the magnetic phase in the chiral magnetic material. Chiral magnetic materials have a helical magnetic phase in the ground state with no magnetic field. Here, when a magnetic field greater than the magnetic field strength Hsk is applied to the chiral magnetic material, the skyrmion crystal phase (SkX) becomes stable. Further, when a magnetic field strength higher than the stronger magnetic field strength Hf is applied to the chiral magnetic body, the ferromagnetic phase becomes stable.

  Next, various physical quantities are described using values normalized by the magnitude J of the magnetic exchange interaction of the chiral magnetic material. For example, the magnetic field strength Hsk is 0.0075J, and the magnetic field strength Hf is 0.0252J.

The diameter λ skill Mion 40 can be expressed as the following Equation 5 using a J and D _0.
Here, a is the lattice constant of the magnetic body 11, D ₀ is a material-specific physical constants size of Jalo Shin ski Moriya interaction. The skyrmion diameter λ is, for example, 70 nm for FeGe and 18 nm for MnSi as shown in Prior Art Document 1.

The chiral magnetic material used in this example has D ₀ = 0.18 J, magnetic moment M = 1, and Gilbert relaxation coefficient α = 0.04. In this example, since D ₀ = 0.18 J, λ = 50a. When the lattice constant a of the magnetic body 11 is 0.5 nm, λ = 25 nm.

FIG. 5 shows _a time change of Da in the end region A in the simulation experiment. The size of Jalo Shin ski Moriya interaction outside of the end region A is not constantly changing with D _0. In FIG. 5, the electric field generating electrode 12 applies a generation pulse and an erasing pulse to the magnetic body 11. The skyrmion 40 is generated by applying a generation pulse to the magnetic body 11 and disappears by applying an erasing pulse to the magnetic body 11. Here, the linear response of the magnitude D _a of the Jarosinsky-Moriya interaction with respect to the electric field intensity Ea in the end region A is represented by the following equation.
Since proportionality constant c is a value specific to the substance, the simulation experiment to experiment with creation and termination of skyrmion 40 modulates the direct D _a. D ₀ is the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction that is unique to the magnetic body 11. D _{0 in} this example is 0.18J. The value of the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction D _a changes from D ₀ to D ₁ or D ₂ due to the electric field generated in the magnetic body 11. D ₁ is the value of the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction in which the skillion 40 is generated in the magnetic body 11, and D ₂ is the value of the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction in which the skillion 40 of the magnetic body 11 disappears. .

The simulation experiment starts from a state in which the magnetic field H ₀ is in a ferromagnetic phase due to a magnetic field strength greater than Hf. Specifically, the magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generation unit 20 is applied from the bottom to the top with a magnetic field strength H ₀ = 0.03 J. In this case, the chiral magnetic body has a ferromagnetic phase in which the skyrmion 40 does not exist. Thus, the magnetic field generator 20 always applies the magnetic field strength H ₀ = 0.03 J to the magnetic body 11.

Next, at time t = 0 (1 / J), the voltage application power source 50 starts to apply a voltage to the electric field generating electrode 12. In this case, D _a in the magnetic material by the electric field Ea in the end region A is modulated.

At time t = 1000 (1 / J) , the electric field generating electrode 12, _{D a} at the end region A apply an electric field to the magnetic body 11 so that the size of 0.28J from 0.18J. Thereafter, until a time t = 2000 (1 / J), a constant voltage intensity is maintained so that D ₁ = 0.28J. For example, D ₁ = 0.28J is a size that can generate the skyrmion 40 on the magnetic body 11. However, D ₁ = 0.28J is not the only value that can generate the skillion 40, and the skillion 40 can be generated even if D ₁ = 0.28J or more.

At time t = 2000 (1 / J), the voltage application power supply 50 starts to gradually decrease the voltage applied to the electric field generating electrode 12. When the application of voltage is stopped at time t = 3000 (1 / J), the initial state is restored and D ₀ = 0.18 J.

At time t = 6080 (1 / J) , the electric field generating electrode 12 provides an electric field to the magnetic body 11 so that _{D 2} is the magnitude of 0.08J at the end region A. For example, D ₂ = 0.08J is a size that can erase the skillion 40 of the magnetic body 11. However, D ₂ = 0.08J is not the only value that can erase the skillmion 40, and the skillmion 40 can be erased even if D ₂ = 0.08J or less.

As described above, the skyrmion 40 can be generated or deleted by changing D ₁ and D ₂ in accordance with the Jaroshinsky-Moriya interaction D ₀ inherent to the material of the magnetic body 11. The values of D ₁ and D ₂ may be appropriately changed according to the material of the magnetic body 11. Moreover, you may change according to the presence or absence of lamination | stacking of the magnetic body 11. FIG.

  FIG. 5 to FIG. 14 are simulation results showing the time dependency of the voltage application of the skillmion generation when the skillmion 40 is generated. In this example, the width Wm and the height hm of the magnetic body 11 are squares with Wm = hm = 50a = λ. The width W of the end region A is W = 20a = λ · 2/5, and the height h is h = 30a = λ · 3/5. FIG. 6 shows a simulation result at time t = 0 (1 / J) when no electric field is applied to the electric field generating electrode 12.

  FIG. 7 shows the simulation result at time t = 660 (1 / J). At time t = 660 (1 / J), the skyrmion 40 is to be generated from the end of the magnetic body 11. The magnetic moment at the end of the magnetic body 11 has an inclination with respect to the direction perpendicular to the magnetic body 11. Therefore, the end of the magnetic body 11 is a starting point for generating the skyrmion 40.

  FIG. 8 shows the simulation result at time t = 1100 (1 / J). At time t = 1100 (1 / J), skyrmion 40 is generated from the vicinity of the intersection of the end of magnetic body 11 and electric field generating electrode 12. In this example, the skyrmion 40 is generated from the lower part of the electric field generating electrode 12. This is because the skyrmion 40 receives the Magnus force downward with respect to the generation direction (from the right side to the left side). As a result, skyrmions 40 are generated from the lower end side of the electric field generating electrode 12.

  FIG. 9 shows the simulation result at time t = 1380 (1 / J). At time t = 1380 (1 / J), the skyrmion 40 moves so as to flow to the center of the magnetic body 11.

  FIG. 10 shows the simulation result at time t = 3380 (1 / J). At time t = 3380 (1 / J), skyrmion 40 tries to stabilize at the center of magnetic body 11. In this example, the shape when the skyrmion 40 is to be stabilized is an ellipse. The ellipse may be an approximately ellipse shape and is an example of a transitional shape until the skyrmion 40 is stabilized.

  FIG. 11 shows the simulation result at time t = 4740 (1 / J). At time t = 4740 (1 / J), the skyrmion 40 is stabilized in the central portion of the magnetic body 11.

From the simulation experiment of Example 1, the following was found.
(Item 1) When the electric field generating electrode 12 covers the end of the magnetic body 11, a single skyrmion 40 can be generated.
(Item 2) Skyrmion 40 can be formed if the application time width (pulse width) T of the local electric field is 1000 (1 / J) or more. The state where the single skill mion 40 is generated can be maintained for a longer time, and a plurality of skill mions 40 are not generated.
Next, the optimum size of the end region A necessary for generating a single skyrmion 40 is examined. For example, the skyrmion 40 can be generated by applying a magnetic field instead of applying an electric field. At this time, the magnetic field may be applied in the direction of weakening the magnetic field from the magnetic field generator 20. The range of the optimum magnetic field region when the magnetic field is applied is the same as the optimum end region A when the electric field is applied. This
(Item 3) The right and left width W of the end region A is optimal in the following range.
λ ≧ W> λ / 4
(Item 4) The following range is optimal for the height h of the end region A.
2λ>h> λ / 2
May be added. The electrode placement method in the case of generating a single skyrmion 40 using an electric field has been described above.

[Example 2]
In Example 2, the simulation result in the case of deleting the skillion 40 is shown. The deletion of the skillion 40 can be basically understood in the same way as in the generation of the skillion 40. For example, the motion when erasing the skyrmion 40 can be described by the equations shown in [Equation 3] and [Equation 4] as in the case of the generation of the skyrmion 40. The magnetic body 11 of the present embodiment is the same chiral magnetic body as that of the first embodiment. In this example, the width and height of the magnetic body 11 is a square of Wm = hm = 50a = λ. The width W of the end region A is W = 20a = λ · 2/5, and the height h is h = 30a = λ · 3/5. In the present embodiment, the Da of the end region A in the case of erasing the skillion 40 is shown with reference to the time t = 5000 (1 / J) and thereafter in FIG.

  12 to 14 show simulation results for erasing the skyrmion 40 generated in the magnetic body 11. FIG. 12 shows a simulation result at time t = 5680 (1 / J) when the skillion 40 is in the erase start state. In this example, the size of the skillion 40 is smaller than that of the skillion 40 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows the simulation result at time t = 5820 (1 / J). The skillion 40 in this example is in a state of disappearing further from the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows a simulation result at time t = 6080 (1 / J). In this example, the skyrmion 40 is completely extinguished by applying the erase pulse for a predetermined time.

  Da in the edge region A erases the skillion 40 by an erase pulse from time t = 5000 (1 / J) to time t = 8000. The disappearance of skirmions 40 by applying an electric field to magnetic body 11 is greatly different from the disappearance of skirmions 40 by applying a magnetic field to magnetic body 11.

  For example, when the skyrmion 40 is erased by a magnetic field, the skyrmion 40 is attracted to the end of the magnetic body 11 by the erase pulse. And the skyrmion 40 drawn to the end of the magnetic body 11 disappears. That is, when the skyrmion 40 is erased by a magnetic field, it is necessary to surround the entire direction of the magnetic body 11 with a non-magnetic body in order to provide the end of the magnetic body 11.

  On the other hand, when the skyrmion 40 is erased by an electric field, the skyrmion 40 is not moved by the erase pulse. The eraser 40 at the time of erasure remains in the end region A and disappears. In other words, when the skyrmion 40 is erased by an electric field, it is not necessary to intentionally provide the end of the magnetic body 11, so that it is not necessary to surround all directions of the magnetic body 11 with a non-magnetic body. Therefore, the magnetic body 11 may be connected to the magnetic body 11 of the adjacent magnetic element 10. As a result, the generation and erasing methods using an electric field do not require the size of the magnetic body 11 to be limited.

As described above, when the skyrmion 40 is erased, the direction of the voltage applied to the magnetic body 11 is opposite to that when the skyrmion 40 is generated.
(Item 5) Skyrmion 40 can be erased if the application time width (pulse width) T of the local electric field is 1000 (1 / J) or more. The erased state of the single skyrmion 40 can be maintained for a longer time. That is, when the erase pulse is applied for a long time, the skyrmion 40 is not generated again.

  In Examples 1 and 2 described above, simulation experiments for generating and annihilating skyrmions 40 by applying a voltage are shown. Then, the design rules for generating and annihilating the skyrmion 40 are clarified in (Item 1) to (Item 5).

The criteria for the five items for generating and annihilating the skyrmion 40 define basic rules for designing the skyrmion memory element and are extremely important. This design rule is expressed as a quantity normalized by two quantities of a magnetic exchange interaction J characterizing the magnetism of the magnetic body 11 and a diameter λ of the generated skyrmion 40. [Number 5], relating the diameter λ and Jalo Shin ski-Moriya interactions D ₀ of skills Mion 40. Therefore, this basic rule is expressed as a design rule applicable to various chiral magnetic materials and has a wide range of application.

  15 to 20 show examples of the shape of the electric field generating electrode 12. FIG. 15 is the same as the example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the electric field generating electrode 12 may surround a triangular end region A. As shown in FIG. 17, the electric field generating electrode 12 may surround an end region A that is a part of an ellipse, a circle, or an ellipse. As shown in FIG. 18, the electric field generating electrode 12 may surround the parallelogram end region A. As shown in FIG. 19, the electric field generating electrode 12 may surround a trapezoidal end region A. As shown in FIG. 20, an end region A having a shape formed by combining circles, squares, triangles, or other figures may be enclosed.

  The shape of the electric field generating electrode 12 in the present embodiment is not limited to these shapes, and other similar shapes of the electric field generating electrode 12 can be adopted. It should be noted that the conclusion in the examples of the chiral magnetic material described here does not change qualitatively even in the magnetic layered structure.

  The skyrmion 40 has an ultrafine structure with a diameter of 1 to 500 nm and a nanoscale size, and can be applied as a large-capacity storage magnetic element capable of extremely densifying enormous bit information. The skyrmion memory 100 can be electrically written and erased. The time required for writing and erasing is 3000 (1 / J). This required time is determined by the size of J specific to the magnetic material. In the case of a chiral magnetic material, it is several millieV. In this case, 3000 (1 / J) corresponds to about 1 nanosecond. It is a surprising feature that data can be written and erased with an ultrashort pulse of about 1 nanosecond, and is a non-volatile memory. If this exchange interaction energy J increases, the generation and erasure times of skyrmions can be further increased.

  The skyrmion memory 100 has many advantages over a flash memory that employs electric writing and erasing. The generation time of the flash memory is several milliseconds, and the erase time is as long as 20 μsec. On the other hand, the skyrmion memory 100 has a generation time and an erasure time of 1 nsec, and is 6 to 3 digits faster than the flash memory. The speed surpasses that of a DRAM memory that requires a charge generation time and an erasure time of about 10 nsec, and realizes a speed comparable to that of an SRAM. Since the skyrmion memory 100 is a non-volatile memory, it has a performance as an ultimate memory.

  The skyrmion memory 100 can be written and erased any number of times. That is, there is no limit on the number of times of writing and erasing, and endurance (endurance) is infinite. Further, the skyrmion 40 is generated as a magnetic moment having the same vortex structure not only on the surface of the magnetic body 11 but also on the back surface. As a result, the skyrmion 40 can exist stably as a structure that is not easily broken (not erased) and still without moving its position. The skillion 40 does not move or erase easily in a weak magnetic field environment in human life. As described above, since the skyrmion 40 exists stably, the skyrmion memory 100 can greatly improve the data retention (holding) performance.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of an embodiment of the skyrmion memory 100. The skirmion memory 100 of this example has the same configuration as the skirmion memory 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. The skyrmion detection element 15 of this example further includes a third detection electrode 155 and a fourth detection electrode 156. The third detection electrode 155 and the fourth detection electrode 156 are formed of a nonmagnetic metal material.

  The third detection electrode 155 is made of a third nonmagnetic metal that is in contact with the end portion of the magnetic body 11 in an arrangement perpendicular to the arrangement formed by the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154. The third detection electrode 155 is in contact with the magnetic body 11 in the same layer at one end of the magnetic body 11. The third detection electrode 155 only needs to be in contact with at least a part of one end of the magnetic body 11. For example, when the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 are disposed on the left and right of the magnetic body 11, the third detection electrode 155 is disposed on the lower side of the magnetic body 11.

  The fourth detection electrode 156 is made of a fourth nonmagnetic metal that is in contact with the end portion of the magnetic body 11 that faces the third detection electrode 155 at a distance. The fourth detection electrode 156 is in contact with the magnetic body 11 in the same layer at one end of the magnetic body 11. The fourth detection electrode 156 may be in contact with at least a part of one end of the magnetic body 11. For example, when the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 are arranged on the left and right of the magnetic body 11, the fourth detection electrode 156 is arranged on the upper side of the magnetic body 11.

  As described above, the third detection electrode 155 and the fourth detection electrode 156 are arranged so as to measure the voltage value in the direction perpendicular to the current flowing through the magnetic body 11 by the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154. To do. If the third detection electrode 155 and the fourth detection electrode 156 are formed in the same process as the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The measurement unit 30 includes a voltmeter 32 connected to the third detection electrode 155 and the fourth detection electrode 156. When the skyrmion 40 is present, if a current is passed between the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154, a Hall voltage is generated in a direction perpendicular to the current flow. The Hall voltage due to the generation of skyrmions is called a topological Hall voltage (Non-Patent Document 1). The skyrmion detection element 15 of this example is a topological Hall voltage element (THV element) due to the presence of the skyrmion 40. The measuring unit 30 detects the presence or absence of the skyrmion 40 as a difference in Hall voltage when reading the “1” and “0” signals. Since the comparison voltage is zero, it is easy to amplify the read voltage and detect the skyrmion 40. Operates as a highly sensitive detector.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of an embodiment of the skyrmion memory 100. The skirmion memory 100 of this example basically has the same configuration as the skirmion memory 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. However, the electric field generating electrode 12 of this example is different from the embodiment according to FIG. 3 in that it is electrically connected to the magnetic body 11. Thus, the connection destination of the electric field generating electrode 12 is not limited to the present embodiment as long as the electric field is applied to the end region A of the magnetic body 11.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of an embodiment of the skillion memory 100. The electric field generating electrode 12 of this example is a magnetic metal. In this case, the skyrmion detection element 15 is a tunnel magnetoresistive element (TMR element).

  The skill value of the skillion detection element 15 changes depending on the presence or absence of the skillion 40. The skyrmion detection element 15 has a TMR laminated structure formed by a nonmagnetic thin film 16 in contact with the surface of the magnetic body 11 and the electric field generating electrode 12 on one surface of the magnetic body 11. Since the skillmion detection element 15 of this example has high sensitivity, the presence or absence of the skillmion 40 can be detected with a small amount of power.

  Since the electric field generating electrode 12 is a magnetic material, the upward magnetic field from the magnetic material 11 becomes a ferromagnetic phase having an upward magnetic moment. The measurement unit 30 is connected between the magnetic body 11 and the end of the electric field generating electrode 12 opposite to the magnetic body 11 side. Thereby, the resistance value of the skyrmion detection element 15 can be detected. In the skirmion detection element 15, the resistance value when the skillmion 40 does not exist in the magnetic body 11 indicates the minimum value, and when the skillmion 40 exists, the resistance value increases. The resistance value of the skyrmion detection element 15 is determined by the probability of the electron tunneling current of the nonmagnetic thin film 16 depending on the direction of the magnetic moment between the magnetic body 11 and the electric field generating electrode 12 in the ferromagnetic phase. The high resistance (H) and low resistance (L) of the skyrmion detection element 15 correspond to the presence or absence of the skyrmion 40 and correspond to information “1” and “0” stored in the information memory cell.

  The change-over switch 33 switches whether the electric field generating electrode 12 is connected to the voltage application power source 50 or the measurement unit 30. The changeover switch 33 is connected between the skyrmion detection element 15 and the magnetic body 11. When the changeover switch 33 is connected to the voltage application power source 50, the electric field generating electrode 12 generates and erases the skyrmion 40 in the magnetic body 11. On the other hand, when the changeover switch 33 is connected to the measuring unit 30, the electric field generating electrode 12 functions as a skillion detection element 15 by the laminated structure with the nonmagnetic thin film 16, and the presence or absence of the skillion 40 in the magnetic body 11. Is detected.

  FIG. 24 shows an example of an embodiment of the skyrmion memory 100. The electric field generating electrode 12 of this example is a magnetic metal. In this case, the skyrmion detection element 15 is a tunnel magnetoresistive element (TMR element). The skirmion memory 100 of this example basically has the same configuration as the skirmion memory 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. When the skyrmion 40 is generated and erased by an electric field, the left and right sizes of the magnetic body 11 are not limited. In the skillmion memory 100 of this example, a plurality of electric field generating electrodes 12 and a plurality of skillion detection elements 15 can be arranged on the left and right of the integral magnetic body 11. In addition, a plurality of magnetic field generation units 20 may be provided corresponding to the magnetic body 11. As a result, the gap between the electrodes can be reduced and the degree of integration can be increased. Note that the measurement unit 30 and the voltage application power source 50 may be common to the plurality of electric field generating electrodes 12 and the plurality of skyrmion detection elements 15, or a plurality thereof may be provided corresponding to each.

  As described above, the skyrmion memory 100 of the present example uses the electric field generating electrode 12 for the detection of the skyrmion 40, so that it is not necessary to newly provide the skyrmion detection element 15. Further, since the skyrmion detection element 15 of this example constitutes a TMR element, the detection sensitivity of the skyrmion 40 is high. Therefore, the skyrmion memory 100 according to this embodiment has high sensitivity and a simple structure.

  FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional structure of the skyrmion memory device 110. The skyrmion memory device 110 is a device that includes at least one skyrmion memory 100. The skyrmion memory device 110 includes a magnetic field generation unit 20 that is a ferromagnetic layer and a magnetic element 10 formed above the magnetic field generation unit 20. Further, the skyrmion memory device 110 includes a nonmagnetic material layer 25 between the magnetic element 10 and the magnetic field generator 20.

  The magnetic element 10 of this example corresponds to the magnetic element 10 shown in FIG. 22 and includes a first detection electrode 153 and a second detection electrode 154. Alternatively, the first detection electrode 153, the second detection electrode 154, the third detection electrode 155, and the fourth detection electrode 156 correspond to the magnetic element 10 shown in FIG. A cross-sectional view of the measurement unit 30 is not shown. The magnetic element 10 has a stacked structure in which a magnetic layer 60, a magnetic protective layer 65, a first wiring layer 70, and a second wiring layer 75 are stacked in this order.

  The magnetic layer 60 includes the magnetic body 11, the insulator 61, the first detection electrode 153, and the second detection electrode 154. In the magnetic body 11, the skyrmion 40 is generated and erased. The insulator 61 surrounds the magnetic body 11, the first detection electrode 153, and the second detection electrode 154. The first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154 may be formed of a nonmagnetic metal. The magnetic body 11, the first detection electrode 153, and the second detection electrode 154 include a nonmagnetic metal, a magnetic material, and a nonmagnetic metal, which are basic structures of a skyrmion magnetic medium. It has the structure which connected. This structure is abbreviated as an NMN structure. The magnetic layer 60 may have a plurality of NMN structures in the same layer.

  The magnetic protection layer 65 includes a magnetic protection film 66 and a first via 67. The magnetic protective film 66 protects the magnetic layer 60. The first via 67 supplies current for detecting skyrmion to the first detection electrode 153 and the second detection electrode 154.

  The first wiring layer 70 includes a first wiring 71, a first wiring protective film 72, and a second via 73. The first wiring 71 forms electrodes for generating a magnetic field and detecting skyrmions. The first wiring protective film 72 functions as an interlayer insulating film for forming the first wiring 71 and the second via 73. It is difficult to route two types of electrodes for generating a magnetic field and detecting skyrmions without crossing each other in the same layer. Therefore, the second wiring layer 75 may be formed on the first wiring layer 70.

  The second wiring layer 75 has a second wiring 76 and a second wiring protective film 77. The second wiring 76 is connected to the second via 73. The second wiring protective film 77 functions as an interlayer insulating film for insulating the second wiring 76. For example, the second via 73 is connected to at least one of two types of electrodes for magnetic field generation and skyrmion detection.

  The skyrmion 40 is illustrated in the magnetic body 11 with black circles. Skyrmions 40 can be generated in the magnetic body 11 by the electric field generated by the electric field generating electrode 12 connected to the first wiring 71.

  FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the skyrmion memory device 110. The skirmion memory device 110 includes a skirmion memory 100 and an FET (Field Effect Transistor) 99. The skyrmion memory 100 is formed on a silicon substrate where the FET 99 does not exist.

  The FET 99 is a general FET formed by a general silicon process. The FET 99 of this example has two Cu wiring layers. The FET 99 may include a PMOS-FET 91 and an NMOS-FET 92 formed on a P-type substrate.

  FIG. 27 shows a skyrmion memory device 110 in which n layers of magnetic elements 10 are stacked. The skyrmion memory device 110 of this example is a case where n = 12. The magnetic field generator 20 has a thickness of 3000 mm. The magnetic element 10 has a structure in which magnetic elements 10-1 to 10-n are stacked. The magnetic element 10 of this example has a total film thickness of 35000 mm.

  FIG. 28 shows a skyrmion memory device 110 having a plurality of magnetic field generators 20. The skyrmion memory device 110 of this example has a total of eight layers of magnetic elements 10 from the magnetic element 10-1 to the magnetic element 10-8. The skyrmion memory device 110 has four layers of magnetic elements 10 on the magnetic field generator 20-1. The skyrmion memory device 110 further includes a magnetic field generator 20-2 between the magnetic element 10-4 and the magnetic element 10-5. Thereby, the magnetic element 10 can keep the intensity of the magnetic field received from the magnetic field generator 20 constant. The magnetic field generator 20 may be arranged at an appropriate interval according to the material of the magnetic element 10 or the like.

  FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a skyrmion memory device 110 in which the skyrmion memory 100 is mounted on the upper layer of the CMOS-FET 90. The skyrmion memory device 110 includes the skyrmion memory 100 and a CMOS-FET 90 that constitutes a CPU function. A skyrmion memory 100 is formed on the CMOS-FET 90. The CMOS-FET 90 of this example has a PMOS-FET 91 and an NMOS-FET 92 formed on a P-type substrate.

  The skyrmion memory device 110 can have the CMOS-FET 90 constituting the CPU function and the skyrmion memory 100, which is a stacked large-scale nonvolatile memory, in the same chip. As a result, the processing time and speed of the CPU can be shortened and the power consumption of the CPU can be greatly reduced. In other words, it is possible to greatly shorten the processing time for calling from the HD such as the basic OS at the time of starting the PC, writing to the external SRAM or DRAM, reading, etc., and contributes to the reduction of CPU time (significant speedup). As a result, a CPU with significantly low power consumption can be realized. Furthermore, the skyrmion memory 100, which is a large-scale non-volatile memory, consumes no power for memory retention. The direction of the magnetic moment of skyrmion does not require any external power supply in order to have topological stability. DRAM memory requires data refresh, and SRAM is also volatile, so it is necessary to always turn on the power. Since the flash memory has a long data access time, it cannot exchange data directly with the CPU.

  FIG. 30 shows an example of a write circuit of the skyrmion memory device 110. The case of writing data to the skillion memory 100 refers to the case of generating the skillion 40 in the skillion memory 100. The skyrmion detection element 15 of this example has two electrodes, a first detection electrode 153 and a second detection electrode 154. The skyrmion detection element 15 may further include a third detection electrode 155 and a fourth detection electrode 156.

  A plurality of skyrmion memories 100 are connected to the skyrmion selection line 95 and the bit line 96. For example, the skyrmion selection line 95 (n) is connected to the nth row of skillion memory 100, and the bit line 96 (n) is connected to the nth column of skyrmion memory 100, respectively. An FET 99 is connected to each line connected to the skyrmion memory 100. The FET 99 acts as an electrical switch that selects individual skyrmion memories 100 by applying a voltage to the gate. The voltage application power source 50 of this example applies a positive electric field to the electric field generating electrode 12.

  For example, when the skillion 40 is generated in the skillion memory 100 (n, n), the FET 99 connected to the skillion selection line 95 (n) and the bit line 96 (n) is turned on. The skyrmion memory 100 (n, n) generates the skyrmion 40 by applying an electric field to the magnetic body 11.

  FIG. 31 shows an example of the erase circuit of the skyrmion memory device 110. The case of erasing data in the skillion memory 100 refers to the case of erasing the skillion 40 in the skillion memory 100. In this example, the skyrmion selection line 95 and the bit line 96 are connected to the skyrmion memory 100 with the same wiring as in the example of FIG. As in the case of generating the skyrmion 40, the skyrmion memory 100 is selected by switching the FET 99. However, the voltage application power source 50 of this example applies a negative electric field to the electric field generating electrode 12.

  For example, when erasing the skillion 40 in the skillion memory 100 (n, n), the FET 99 connected to the skillion selection line 95 (n) and the bit line 96 (n) is turned on. The skyrmion memory 100 (n, n) erases the skyrmion 40 by applying an electric field in the opposite direction to the case of generation to the magnetic body 11.

  FIG. 32 shows an example of a read circuit of the skyrmion memory device 110. The case of reading the data of the skillion memory 100 refers to the case of detecting the skillion 40 of the skillion memory 100. When detecting the skyrmion 40, the lead wire 97 is used in addition to the skyrmion selection line 95 and the bit line 96.

  The bit line 96 is connected to the skyrmion detection element 15. The bit line 96 supplies a current for detecting the skyrmion to the skyrmion detection element 15.

  The lead wire 97 is connected to the first detection electrode 153. The lead wire 97 is connected to the bit line 96 via the second detection electrode 154 and the magnetic body 11. The skyrmion 40 is detected by passing a current from the bit line 96 to the lead wire 97. Lead wires 97 may be connected to a plurality of skyrmion memories 100. For example, the lead wire 97 (n) is connected to the n-row skyrmion memory 100, respectively. Further, the lead wire 97 is connected to the detection circuit 98. By switching the FET 99 connected to the bit line 96 and the lead line 97, the skyrmion memory 100 is selected. When detecting the skyrmion 40, the FET 99 connected to the skyrmion selection line 95 is turned off.

  The detection circuit 98 amplifies the current or voltage flowing through the lead wire 97 and detects the presence or absence of the skyrmion 40. The detection circuit 98 includes an input resistor Rin, a feedback resistor Rf, an amplifier circuit C1, and a voltage comparison circuit C2. The current input from the lead wire 97 to the detection circuit 98 is input to the amplifier circuit C1 via the input resistor Rin. A feedback resistor Rf is provided in parallel with the amplifier circuit C1. The amplifier circuit C1 converts the current from the lead wire 97 into a voltage and amplifies it. The voltage comparison circuit C2 receives the output voltage of the amplifier circuit C1 and the reference voltage Vref. The voltage comparison circuit C2 outputs “1” when the output voltage of the amplification circuit C1 is larger than the reference voltage Vref. On the other hand, the voltage comparison circuit C2 outputs “0” when the output voltage of the amplifier circuit C1 is smaller than the reference voltage Vref.

  For example, when detecting the presence or absence of the skirmion 40 in the skirmion memory 100 (n, n), the FET 99 connected to the bit line 96 (n) and the lead wire 97 (n) is turned on. Thereafter, when a current is passed through the bit line 96 (n), the voltage value changes due to the resistance corresponding to the presence or absence of the skyrmion 40. When detecting the presence or absence of the skillion 40 in the skillion memory 100 (n−1, n + 1), the FET 99 connected to the bit line 96 (n + 1) and the lead line 97 (n−1) is turned on. Thereafter, when a current is passed through the bit line 96 (n + 1), a detection current flows in the skyrmion memory 100 (n−1, n + 1). The detection circuit 98 connected to the lead wire 97 (n-1) detects the current. Thereby, “1” or “0” data can be obtained according to the presence of the skillion 40. That is, the skyrmion memory 100 can read data depending on whether or not the skyrmion 40 exists.

  As described above, as shown in FIG. 30 to FIG. 32, the skillmion memory device 110 can select an arbitrary skillmion memory 100 and generate, delete, and read the skillmion 40. The FET 99 arranged in the periphery of the skyrmion memory 100, the amplifier circuit C1 of the detection circuit 98, and the voltage comparison circuit C2 are composed of CMOS devices. A plurality of skyrmion memories 100 are arranged in a planar shape. Further, the skyrmion memories 100 arranged in a planar shape may be stacked.

  FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a solid electronic device 200 with a skyrmion memory. The skyrmion memory-equipped solid-state electronic device 200 includes a skyrmion memory device 110 and a solid-state electronic device 210. The skyrmion memory device 110 is the skyrmion memory device 110 described with reference to FIGS. The solid-state electronic device 210 is, for example, a CMOS-LSI device. The solid-state electronic device 210 has at least one function of writing data to the skyrmion memory device 110 and reading data from the skyrmion memory device 110.

  FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the data recording device 300. The data recording device 300 includes a skyrmion memory device 110 and an input / output device 310. The data recording device 300 is a memory device such as a hard disk or a USB memory. The skyrmion memory device 110 is the skyrmion memory device 110 described with reference to FIGS. The input / output device 310 has at least one of a function of writing data to the skyrmion memory device 110 from the outside and a function of reading data from the skyrmion memory device 110 and outputting the data to the outside.

  FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the data processing device 400. The data processing device 400 includes a skyrmion memory device 110 and a processor 410. The skyrmion memory device 110 is the skyrmion memory device 110 described with reference to FIGS. The processor 410 includes a digital circuit that processes a digital signal, for example. The processor 410 has at least one function of writing data to the skyrmion memory device 110 and reading data from the skyrmion memory device 110.

  FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication device 500. The communication device 500 refers to all devices having a communication function with the outside, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal. Communication device 500 may be portable or non-portable. The communication device 500 includes a skyrmion memory device 110 and a communication unit 510. The skyrmion memory device 110 is the skyrmion memory device 110 described with reference to FIGS. The communication unit 510 has a communication function with the outside of the communication device 500. The communication unit 510 may have a wireless communication function, may have a wired communication function, and may have both wireless communication and wired communication functions. The communication unit 510 is based on a function of writing data received from the outside to the skyrmion memory device 110, a function of transmitting data read from the skyrmion memory device 110 to the outside, and control information stored in the skyrmion memory device 110. Have at least one of the functions to operate.

  As described above, a magnetic element capable of generating, erasing, and detecting skyrmion 40 at high speed and low power consumption, a nonvolatile skyrmion memory 100 to which the magnetic element is applied, a solid state electronic device 200 equipped with skyrmion memory, and a data recording apparatus 300, a data processing device 400, and a communication device can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Magnetic shift register, 2 ... Magnetic sensor, 10 ... Magnetic element, 11 ... Magnetic body, 12 ... Electric field generating electrode, 15 ... Skyrmion detection element, 16 ...・ Non-magnetic thin film, 20 ... magnetic field generator, 30 ... measuring unit, 31 ... current source for measurement, 32 ... voltmeter, 33 ... switch, 40 ... skirmion 50 ... Power supply for voltage application, 60 ... Magnetic layer, 61 ... Insulator, 65 ... Magnetic protective layer, 66 ... Magnetic protective layer, 67 ... First via , 70 ... 1st wiring layer, 71 ... 1st wiring, 72 ... 1st wiring protective film, 73 ... 2nd via, 75 ... 2nd wiring layer, 76 ... 1st 2 wirings, 77 ... second wiring protective film, 90 ... CMOS-FET, 91 ... PMOS-FET, 92 ... NMOS FET, 95 ... skyrmion selection line, 96 ... bit line, 97 ... lead wire, 98 ... detection circuit, 99 ... FET, 100 ... skyrmion memory, 153 ... 1st detection electrode, 154... 2nd detection electrode, 155... 3rd detection electrode, 156... 4th detection electrode, 200. Device 300... Data recording device 310 310 input / output device 400 data processing device 410 processor 500 communication device 510 communication unit

Claims (21)

Skyrmion memory comprising a magnetic element capable of generating and erasing skyrmions and a magnetic field generator ,
The magnetic element is
A thin layer of magnetic material,
An electric field generating electrode provided on one surface of the magnetic body so as to cover an end region including the end of the magnetic body;
A skirmion detection element for detecting generation and erasure of the skirmion ,
The magnetic field generation unit is provided to face one surface of the magnetic body, applies a magnetic field from the first direction to the magnetic body,
The magnetic material in accordance with the applied magnetic field, skyrmion memory skyrmion crystalline phase the skyrmion occurs between a ferromagnetic phase you least expression. The width of the end region parallel to the magnetic body is W, and the height of the end region perpendicular to the end of the magnetic body is h,
λ ≧ W> λ / 4
2λ>h> λ / 2
The skyrmion memory according to claim 1. The skyrmion memory according to claim 1 or 2,
A skyrmion memory having a multilayer structure in which the magnetic elements are stacked in the thickness direction. The magnetic body is composed of either a chiral magnetic body or a laminated structure of a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material.
The skyrmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The skyrmion detection element is
A first detection electrode made of a first nonmagnetic metal in contact with the magnetic body in the same layer at an end of the magnetic body;
A second detection electrode made of a second nonmagnetic metal that is in contact with the magnetic body in the same layer at the end of the magnetic body facing the first detection electrode apart from the first detection electrode;
The skyrmion according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a resistance value of the magnetic body between the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode changes according to generation and erasure of the skyrmion. Memory . The skyrmion detection element is
A first detection electrode made of a first nonmagnetic metal in contact with the magnetic body in the same layer at an end of the magnetic body;
A second detection electrode made of a second non-magnetic metal that is in contact with the magnetic body in the same layer at an end portion of the magnetic body facing the first detection electrode apart from the first detection electrode;
A third detection electrode made of a third non-magnetic metal in an arrangement perpendicular to the arrangement formed by the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode and in contact with the magnetic body at the same layer at the end of the magnetic body;
A fourth detection electrode made of a fourth nonmagnetic metal in contact with an end of the magnetic body facing the third detection electrode, spaced apart from the third detection electrode;
The skyrmion according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a voltage value of the magnetic body changes between the third detection electrode and the fourth detection electrode in accordance with generation and erasure of the skyrmion. Memory . The skyrmion detection element is
It has a TMR laminated structure of a nonmagnetic insulator thin film in contact with the surface of the magnetic body on one surface of the magnetic body and the electric field generating electrode formed on the nonmagnetic insulator thin film and formed of a magnetic metal. ,
The TMR laminated structure, depending on the generation and erasure of the skyrmion, skyrmion memory according to claim 1, any one of 4 whose resistance value changes. By applying a voltage to the electric field generating electrode prior Symbol magnetic element, a first power supply capable of generating an electric field in the end region,
8. A skid according to claim 1 , further comprising a measuring unit connected to the skirmion detection element and measuring generation and erasure of the skirmion based on a detection result of the skirmion detection element. Lumion memory. The skillmion memory according to claim 8 , wherein the first power source is capable of generating a generation pulse for generating the skillmion and an erasing pulse for erasing the skillmion for the end region. The skyrmion memory according to claim 9 , wherein a direction of the generation pulse is different from a direction of the erase pulse. A skillmion memory comprising a magnetic element capable of generating and erasing skyrmions, a magnetic field generator, and a first power source,
The magnetic element is
A thin layer of magnetic material,
An electric field generating electrode provided on one surface of the magnetic body so as to cover an end region including the end of the magnetic body;
A skillion detection element for detecting generation and erasure of the skillion; and
With
The magnetic field generation unit is provided to face one surface of the magnetic element, applies a first magnetic field from a first direction to the magnetic element,
It said first power supply, by applying a voltage to the electric field generating electrode of the magnetic element, it is possible to generate an electric field to the magnetic body,
The magnetic material in accordance with the applied magnetic field, skyrmion memory skyrmion crystalline phase the skyrmion occurs between a ferromagnetic phase you least expression. The skillmion memory according to claim 11 , wherein the first power source is capable of generating a generation pulse for generating a skirmion and an erasing pulse for erasing the skirmion for the end region. The skyrmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the electric field generating electrode is electrically connected to the magnetic body to generate an electric field in the magnetic body. The skyrmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein an electric field is generated in the magnetic body by electrically connecting the electric field generating electrode and the magnetic field generating unit. A plurality of skillion memories configured as one storage unit memory, the skillion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 14 ,
A skillion generation line connected to the plurality of skillion memories to generate the skillion of the plurality of skillion memories;
In order to erase the skill meons of the plurality of skill meon memories, a skill meon erase line connected to the plurality of skill meon memories;
A lead wire that detects the presence or absence of skyrmion,
A field effect transistor that selects the skyrmion memory for the skyrmion generation line, the skyrmion erase line, and the lead wire;
A skyrmion memory device comprising: a detection circuit that amplifies a current or voltage flowing in the lead wire and detects the presence or absence of the skyrmion. A substrate,
A field effect transistor formed on the substrate;
A skyrmion memory device formed above the substrate,
15. A data processing apparatus equipped with a skirmion memory, wherein the skirmion memory device has at least one skirmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 14 . 16. A data processing apparatus for stacking the skyrmion memory device according to claim 15 above the field effect transistor. 15. A skillon memory-equipped solid-state electronic device in which a skillion memory device comprising at least one skillion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a solid-state electronic device are formed in the same chip. Data recording apparatus equipped with skyrmion memory device comprising at least one skyrmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A data processing apparatus equipped with a skirmion memory device comprising at least one skirmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 14 . Data communication apparatus equipped with a skyrmion memory device comprising at least one skyrmion memory according to any one of claims 1 to 14.