Patent ID: 7126797
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetic sensor comprising: a nonmagnetic metal layer including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Re, Os, Ti, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, and Al; a pinned magnetic layer including first and second magnetic sublayers with a nonmagnetic interlayer disposed therebetween, the first magnetic sublayer in contact with the non-magnetic metal layer; a free magnetic layer; and a nonmagnetic conductive layer disposed between the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, the first magnetic sublayer disposed farthest from the nonmagnetic conductive layer, wherein crystals in the nonmagnetic metal layer and crystals in the first magnetic sublayer are oriented in an epitaxial or a heteroepitaxial state; and an end face of the pinned magnetic layer is open and is configured to oppose a face of a recording medium.