Patent ID: 6756648
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01L

Abstract:
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor device, comprising:a first lead layer; a pinned layer; a free layer adjacent to the pinned layer, the magnetization direction of the pinned layer being substantially perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the free layer at zero applied magnetic field; a tunnel barrier layer positioned between the pinned layer and the free layer; a second lead layer, where the pinned layer, the free layer, and the tunnel barrier layer are positioned between the first lead layer and the second lead layer; a pair of hard bias layers adjacent to the pinned layer, the free layer, and the tunnel barrier layer; and insulating layers positioned between the hard bias layers and the first lead layer and the second lead layer; wherein the insulating layers are constructed from a non-conductive, magnetic material.