Patent ID: 6178071
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F

Abstract:
A spin-valve type thin film element comprising:an antiferromagnetic layer;a pinned magnetic layer formed in contact with said antiferromagnetic layer, the magnetization direction of said pinned magnetic layer being fixed by the exchange anisotropic magnetic field between said pinned magnetic layer and said antiferromagnetic layer;a free magnetic layer formed over and/or under said pinned magnetic layer with a non-magnetic electrically conductive layer therebetween;a bias layer for aligning the magnetization direction of said free magnetic layer in the direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction of said pinned magnetic layer; andan electrically conductive layer for applying a sensing current into said pinned magnetic layer, said non-magnetic electrically conductive layer, and said free magnetic layer,wherein, the magnetization direction of said pinned magnetic layer in the end regions in relation to the track width is fixed in the direction of the leakage magnetic field from a recording medium, and the magnetization direction of said pinned magnetic layer in the central region is fixed in the direction inclined in relation to the direction of the leakage magnetic field from the recording medium.