Patent ID: 6643107
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F

Abstract:
A spin valve thin film element comprising:an antiferromagnetic layer formed on a substrate; a pinned magnetic layer operatively disposed to have an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, where the pinned magnetic layer comprises a first pinned magnetic layer formed in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer so that the magnetization direction of the first pinned magnetic layer is pinned by an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer; a nonmagnetic intermediate layer disposed adjacent to the pinned magnetic layer, where the nonmagnetic intermediate layer is formed between the first pinned magnetic layer and a second pinned magnetic layer, where the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer is oriented in antiparallel with the magnetization direction of the first pinned magnetic layer; a free magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the nonmagnetic conductive layer, where the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer is oriented in a direction crossing the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer, where the nonmagnetic conductive layer is formed between the second pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, where the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer is oriented in a direction crossing the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer; a backed layer operatively connected to a side of the free magnetic layer opposite to the nonmagnetic conductive layer side, where the backed layer comprises a nonmagnetic conductive material and is formed in contact with a side of the free magnetic layer opposite to the nonmagnetic conductive layer side; hard bias layers formed on both sides of a lamination comprising at least the antiferromagnetic layer, the first and second pinned magnetic layers, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, the free magnetic layer, and the backed layer, where the hard bias layers orient the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in a direction crossing the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layers; and electrode layers formed on the hard bias layers, where the electrode layers supply a sensing current to the lamination, where the electrode layers are formed to extend from both sides of the lamination to the central portion of a surface of the lamination.