Magnetic Random-Access Memories

A Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MagRAM) is an array of bistable magnetic memory elements with semiconductor amplifier and addressing circuitry. MagRAMs are in the early stages of development, which has been motivated by a need for nonvolatile memories with high densities and unlimited cyclability -- a combination of properties that has not been achieved in nonvolatile electronic RAMs. In principle, the magnetic memory elements in MagRAMs can be made free of fatigue and thus capable of unlimited cyclability. Magnetic memory elements provide signals of reasonable magnitude that can be amplified by semiconductor electronic circuits, and offer the additional advantage of radiation hardness.