Damping Gives a Faster Switch
April 6, 2017 | A*STAREstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The optimal material properties required for magnetic memories to have ultra-low power consumption are identified using simulations performed by researchers at A*STAR.
Random access memory, or RAM, is a crucial element in most computers. RAM devices store the information required for the system to complete processes. This information can be written to and retrieved from the random-access memory at a much faster rate than other data storage media, which means that computational processes can be completed more quickly.
Most RAM devices store data electrically in an integrated circuit. However, storing information magnetically could enable even faster operation, making faster computers. Another feature is that magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is non-volatile — which means that, unlike conventional electrical RAM, it doesn’t lose its data when the device is powered down. MRAM store data as the direction of magnetization in a ferromagnetic film. Switching the magnetization, and thus changing the memory from one binary state to another, can be achieved by just applying a magnetic field, but this requires a lot of power.
BingJin Chen and Guchang Han from the A*STAR Data Storage Institute use micromagnetic simulations to investigate electric-field assisted magnetization switching in magnetic random access memories. They identify the ideal material properties required for minimizing the switching time. “We show that a reliable magnetic switching can take place within five nanoseconds for electric-field assisted switching and no other external driving force is needed,” says Chen.
Electric-field assisted switching works because the applied electrical current alters the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic material, making it more susceptible to a change of magnetization. The small magnetic field associated with the current, known as the Oersted field, is then sufficient to switch the magnetization.
The simulations indicated that a material property known as magnetic damping was important in optimizing the switching time. Damping is a reduction in magnetic field strength as the field penetrates deeper into the material. Chen and Han show that the switching time decreases with an increase in the damping constant and the strength of the Oersted field. The results indicated that when choosing a ferromagnetic material with the best damping constant, switching of an electric-field assisted magnetic random access memory could be as fast as three nanoseconds.
“We hope to move our study from two-terminal devices that both read and write data using the same connections to more stable three-terminal memory structures where these two paths are separated,” says Chen.
Suggested Items
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics
04/24/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn our fast-changing, deeply competitive, and margin-tight industry, factory analytics can be the key to unlocking untapped improvements to guarantee a thriving business. On top of that, electronics manufacturers are facing a tremendous burden to do more with less. If you don't already have a copy of this book, what follows is an excerpt from the introduction chapter of 'The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics: Unlocking Efficiency Through Data Insights' to whet your appetite.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Industrial Quality Solutions from Zeiss
04/23/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEditor Nolan Johnson and Herminso Gomez of Zeiss Group discuss the company's industrial quality solutions, with a focus on X-ray technology. Zeiss provides a range of microscopy options and Herminso highlights the advantages of X-ray technology for aerospace, medical, and consumer electronics sectors.
Altair Acquires Cambridge Semantics, Powering Next-Generation Enterprise Data Fabrics and Generative AI
04/22/2024 | AltairAltair a global leader in computational intelligence, acquired Cambridge Semantics, a modern data fabric provider and creator of one of the industry’s leading analytical graph databases.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/19/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineFor my must-read picks of the week, I’m highlighting Parker Capers, a young professional seeking employment, solid counsel from Dan Beaulieu on what your post-show plan should look like, more information and insight on “chiplets” and the need for secure data transfer standards from columnist Preeya Kuray, as well as Matt Stevenson’s design for reality wisdom. It’s a reminder to download one of our newest books (there are several) you don't want to miss if you are an assembler.
D Coupon Testing and Data Insights With GreenSource Fabrication
04/17/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineMarcy LaRont spoke with Steve Karas of GreenSource Fabrication at the SMTA UHDI conference in March. He presented a case study that GreenSource undertook with a customer on critical via reliability with advanced materials and used the experience to highlight the importance and effectiveness of D coupon testing. He also discussed GreenSource’s approach to data aggregation and a new system they developed to use collected data effectively.