Patent ID: 7142399
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An exchange coupling film comprising an antiferromagnetic layer and a ferromagnetic layer in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer, in which an exchange coupling magnetic field generated at the interface between the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer magnetizes the ferromagnetic layer in a particular direction, wherein diffraction spots corresponding to reciprocal lattice points indicative of crystal planes of the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer appear in transmission electron beam diffraction diagrams of the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer obtained using an electron beam in a direction parallel to the interface, wherein first imaginary lines in the diffraction diagrams of the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer, the first imaginary lines each connecting a beam origin and a particular one of the diffraction spots which is given the same label in both the diffraction diagrams of the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer and which is located in a layer thickness direction when viewed from the beam origin, are coincident with each other, and wherein second imaginary line in the diffraction diagrams of the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer, the second imaginary lines each connecting the beam origin and a particular one of the diffraction spots which is given the same label in both the diffraction diagrams of the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer and which is located in a direction other than the layer thickness direction when viewed from the beam origin, are not coincident with each other.