Emerging memories
How is information written in STT-MRAM?
- AOnly with a magnetic field generated by an external coil
- BBy irradiating it with ultraviolet light
- CBy reversing the magnetization with spin-transfer torque from a spin-polarized current
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. By reversing the magnetization with spin-transfer torque from a spin-polarized current
In STT-MRAM, current is passed through the MTJ, and the angular momentum of the electrons' spins is transferred to the magnetic layer (spin-transfer torque), reversing its magnetization. This requires less write current than field-based writing and suits scaling.