RACETRACK MEMORYRACETRACK MEMORY

JYOTHISH V

1

www.edutalks.org

Introduction

Racetrack MemoryRacetrack Memory Experimental non-volatile memory device under Experimental non volatile memory device under

development. At IBM's Almaden Research Center led by Stuart y

Parkin. Incorporates the advantages of Flash Memory and

Hard Disc Drive. Vying to become a "universal memory" in the future.

2Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Background Information A disruptive technology based on recent

developments in spintronics and physics. Spintronics combines electronics and

magnetism. Charge and the spin of the electron play an

active role.active role. Utilizes the spin of an electron for storing,

accessing and reading data3

accessing and reading data.Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Background Information (Contd) In spintronic devices, information is stored

into spins as particular spin orientation. Spin is associated with a magnetic moment. A ‘magnetic domain’ - region within aA magnetic domain region within a

material which has uniform magnetization. Racetrack Memory uses spin currents to Racetrack Memory uses spin currents to

manipulate the magnetic domain walls which stores data

4

stores data.Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Basic Structure

Uses spinUses spin--coherent electric current coherent electric current to move the magnetic domains to move the magnetic domains gg

A UA U--shapedshaped PermalloyPermalloy wire about wire about200200 nm long and 100nm long and 100 nm thick nm thickggembedded into a silicon chip.embedded into a silicon chip.

Read/Write mechanism near theRead/Write mechanism near thewire.wire.

Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Basic Operations

Memory bit selectMemory bit select Using spin momentum Using spin momentum

transfer

6

Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Basic Operations (Contd)

Write OperationWrite Operation

7

Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Basic Operations (Contd)

Read OperationRead Operation Using TMR Sensors Using TMR Sensors

8Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Development Difficulties

Imperfections in wires affected the Imperfections in wires affected the performanceperformanceperformance.performance.

Domain walls required high current to move.Domain walls required high current to move. Access time depends on position of data.Access time depends on position of data.

9Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Features

No moving partsNo moving parts Small SizeSmall Size Small SizeSmall Size High Storage CapacityHigh Storage Capacity Low Power ConsumptionLow Power Consumption Low Power ConsumptionLow Power Consumption Offers high performance in an inexpensive Offers high performance in an inexpensive

waywaywayway Domain walls are moved by electric pulses Domain walls are moved by electric pulses

instead of magnetic fieldinstead of magnetic field10

instead of magnetic fieldinstead of magnetic fieldRacetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Future Scope

Length of nanoscopic wire can be reduced.Length of nanoscopic wire can be reduced.A ti b d dA ti b d d Access time can be reduced.Access time can be reduced.

Multiple domain walls can be moved together Multiple domain walls can be moved together by a current.by a current.

Storage capacity can be increased by using Storage capacity can be increased by using different configurations. different configurations.

11Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org

Conclusion

Magnetic Racetrack Memory promises a l d d inovel data storage device.

Hard Disc on a chip.p Vying to become a ‘Universal Memory’

in the near futurein the near future.

12Racetrack Memory

www.edutalks.org