Patent ID: 6756135
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A spin valve thin-film magnetic element comprising:a substrate; an antiferromagnetic layer disposed on the substrate; a pinned magnetic layer, a first magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer being fixed by an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer; a first non-magnetic conductive layer disposed between the pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer; a pair of electrode layers configured to supply a sense current to the pinned magnetic layer, the first non-magnetic conductive layer, and the free magnetic layer; a bias layer aligning a second magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first magnetization direction; and a specular-reflection layer, positioned further from the non-magnetic conductive layer than the free magnetic layer, wherein the free magnetic layer comprises a first free magnetic layer, a second free magnetic layer, and a second non-magnetic conductive layer disposed between the first and the second free magnetic layers, the second free magnetic layer having a thickness in the range of approximately 30 angstroms to approximately 40 angstroms, and the first free magnetic layer having a thickness in the range of approximately 5 angstroms to approximately 25 angstroms.