Bidirectional Two-Terminal Switching Device Using Schottky Barrier for Spin-Transfer-Torque Magnetic Random Access Memory

Abstract

We present a bidirectional two-terminal switching device using a Schottky barrier for spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM), which is composed of a Schottky barrier contact with a metal/semiconductor/metal (M/S/M) structure. The proposed M/S/M switching device provides a bidirectional current flow sufficient to write STT-MRAM using a punch through with an extended depletion region at a junction under a reverse bias of M/S or S/M. In addition, a high on-off ratio of 105 is confirmed under the read condition, which is acceptable for the operation of STT-MRAM. From this work, it is expected that an M/S/M structure with bilateral Schottky junctions will be a promising switch device for STT-MRAM beyond 20 nm. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics