MRAM

Among the emerging non-volatile binary memories, spin-torque-transfer RAM (STT-MRAM), spin-oribit-torque RRAM (SOT MRAM), and voltage controlled MRAM (VC MRAM), are particularly attractive owing to their low-voltage operation, high speed and endurance properties, and advanced CMOS technology compatibility. TSMC has developed and offers STT-MRAM solutions to overcome scaling limitations of embedded Flash technologies. TSMC is actively exploring SOT-MRAM and VC-MRAM internally and in conjunction with external research laboratories, consortia, and academic partners. TSMC SOT-MRAM exploration is driven by high-speed (<2ns) binary memory solutions that can be significantly denser than conventional 6T-SRAM solutions while also being much more energy efficient.

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  • High RA Dual-MTJ SOT-MRAM devices for High Speed (10ns) Compute-in-Memory Applications

    2023
    The rapid development of artificial intelligence in recent decades has been continuously driving new software and hardware advancements. High-dimensional matrix-vector multiplication (MVM) is a crucial component in signal processing and machine learning computations. To achieve MVM, the 2D crossbar array of memristors has been widely discussed and studied. In this work, a novel SOT-MRAM device structure with 10ns write speed and >100x scalable resistance and read current are demonstrated to address the persistent problems of the traditional 2D crossbar array, leveraging its read-write path separation nature.
  • Low voltage (<1.8 V) and high endurance (>1M) 1-Selector/1-STT-MRAM with ultra-low (1 ppb) read disturb for high density embedded memory arrays

    2023
    Integrating STT-MRAM with low voltage 2-terminal selector is a promising approach to boost embedded memory integration density. This work presents a new low voltage 1-Selector/1-STT-MRAM (1S1R) device based on SiNGeCTe (SNGCT) chalcogenide threshold selector. Remarkable 1S1R device performance is demonstrated under voltage pulse operation. For the first time, 1e9 read disturb- free cycles are experimentally demonstrated in STT-MRAM-based 1S1R. Moreover, the new device proves low voltage, high speed, low write error rate (<9 ppm at 1.7 V/ 50 ns), along with excellent write endurance (>1M cycles).
  • High speed (1ns) and low voltage (1.5V) demonstration of 8Kb SOT-MRAM array

    2022
    We demonstrated an 8Kb SOT-MRAM array which achieves the highest field-free switching speed (1ns) never reported. The low transistor switching voltage (V SW ) 1.5V at switching current density (J SW ) 68MA/cm2 is attributed to the unique tungsten-based cSOT channel material (SCM) which provides high spin-Hall angle (~0.6) and low resistivity (160μΩ-cm) with 400°C thermal budget. The 8Kb SOT-MRAM array also showed good read window and array yield thanks to the promising MTJ etching process. Excellent performances such as high retention ( >>10 years at RT) and high endurance 7e12 cycles are demonstrated as well.
  • Cold MRAM as a Density Booster for Embedded NVM in Advanced Technology

    2021
    Considering the improved performance of MTJs and access transistors for MRAM at low temperatures, we proposed a novel design for embedded Cold MRAM to boost the cell density to 5.3x of a conventional 6T-SRAM. Together with the CMOS operated at cryogenic conditions, they can provide a potential solution for the high demanding HPC applications.
  • Reliability and Magnetic Immunity of Reflow-Capable Embedded STT-MRAM in 16nm FinFET CMOS Process

    2021
    We demonstrate the reliability and magnetic immunity of STT-MRAM embedded in 16nm FinFET CMOS process. The technology supports endurance cycles up to 105 for wide temperature range from -40°C to 125°C with low bit error rate and passes 106 cycles at the worst temperature case of -40°C. Data retention sustains three solder-reflow cycles and up to 10 years with less than 1ppm error rate at 234°C. Read disturb error rate is less than 10-20 per read. Magnetic immunity of standby and active mode can reach 550Oe for 10 years 1ppm error rate and 800Oe for 0.1ppm error rate per write at 125 °C, respectively.
  • Materials Requirements of High-Speed and Low-Power Spin-Orbit-Torque Magnetic Random-Access Memory

    2020
    As spin-orbit-torque magnetic random-access memory (SOT-MRAM) is gathering great interest as the next-generation low-power and high-speed on-chip cache memory applications, it is critical to analyze the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) properties needed to achieve sub-ns, and fJ write operation when integrated with CMOS access transistors. In this paper, a 2T-1MTJ cell-level modeling framework for in-plane type Y SOT-MRAM suggests that high spin Hall conductivity and moderate SOT material sheet resistance are preferred. We benchmark write energy and speed performances of type Y SOT cells based on various SOT materials experimentally reported in the literature, including heavy metals, topological insulators and semimetals. We then carry out detailed benchmarking of SOT material Pt, β-W, and BixSe(1-x) with different thickness and resistivity. We further discuss how our 2T-1MTJ model can be expanded to analyze other variations of SOT-MRAM, including perpendicular (type Z) and type X SOT-MRAM, two-terminal SOT-MRAM, as well as spin-transfer-torque (STT) and voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA)-assisted SOT-MRAM. This work will provide essential guidelines for SOT-MRAM materials, devices, and circuits research in the future.
  • Interfacial engineering of SOT-MRAM to modulate atomic diffusion and enable PMA stability >400 ◦C

    2019
    We report our work on the optimization of W/CoFeB/MgO structures to fulfill perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) requirements in the production of SOT-MRAM. By optimizing the natural oxidization process of deposited Mg layer and introducing different dust layers at W/CoFeB and CoFeB/MgO interfaces, PMA of W/CoFeB/MgO structures can be enhanced by about 100%, which is much higher than that in Ta-based structures. The origin of this PMA enhancement was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy investigations. The corresponding SOT switching efficiency and current-induced effective fields were also investigated.
  • 22nm STT-MRAM for Reflow and Automotive Uses with High Yield, Reliability, and Magnetic Immunity and with Performance and Shielding Options

    2019
    We demonstrate high yield results from a solder-reflow-capable spin-transfer-torque MRAM embedded in 22nm ultra-low leakage (ULL) CMOS technology. The technology supports -40 to 150°C operation and data retention though six solder reflow cycles and far exceeding 10 years at 150°C. Ten year native magnetic field immunity is >1100 Oe at 25°C at the 1ppm bit upset level. A shield-in-package solution demonstrates <; 1ppm bit upset rates from a disc magnet providing 3.5 kOe disturb field exposure for ~80 hours at 25°C. Trading off reflow capability, using smaller CD magnetic tunnel junctions, higher performance is achieved, for example read signal development times of 6ns at 125°C and average write pulse times slightly over 30ns at -40°C in a 20Mb design.
  • A 28nm Integrated True Random Number Generator Harvesting Entropy from MRAM

    2018
    This paper presents an integrated True Random Number Generator (TRNG) based on the random switching behavior of Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs) under low write current. A complete TRNG is designed with minimal overhead to an existing embedded MRAM in 28nm CMOS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental study of this random process and the first TRNG implemented with commercial STT-MRAM technology. The prototype adds only 180μm 2 to a standard MRAM array for TRNG operation. It passes all NIST randomness tests across -25 to 100°C, while consuming 18pJ/bit with 66Mbps throughput at the nominal condition.
  • Recent Progress and Next Directions for Embedded MRAM Technology

    2018
    MRAM can play a variety of on-chip memory roles in advanced VLSI technology spanning from high retention, solder-reflow-capable non-volatile memory (NVM) to dense non-volatile or high retention working RAMs. This paper describes results for a solder-reflow-capable MRAM NVM and for extensions that trade off high retention against speed, power, and density.
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