This invention provides a probe based magnetic memory storage device. In a particular
embodiment, magnetic memory cells are provided in an array. Each cell provides
a magnetic data layer and a conductor. At least one movable probe having a tip
characterized by a conductor and a soft reference layer is also provided. In addition,
an intermediate layer joined to either the movable probe or each memory cell is
provided. The movable probe may be placed in contact with a given memory cell,
the probe and cell thereby forming a tunnel junction memory cell with the intermediate
layer serving as the tunnel junction. The magnetic field provided by the probe
conductor may be combined with a field provided by the cell conductor to produce
a switching field to alter the orientation of the data layer. The memory cells
may include a material wherein the coercivity is decreased upon an increase in
temperature. The probe may also include a heat generator. The magnetic field provided
by the probe connector will not alter the orientation of an unheated cell, but
may alter the orientation of a heated cell.
