Patent ID: 6842314
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive device comprising: a magnetoresistive element having two surfaces that face toward opposite directions and two side portions; a pair of bias field applying layers that are adjacent to the side portions of the magnetoresistive element and apply a bias magnetic field to the magnetoresistive element; and a pair of electrode layers that feed a current used for signal detection to the magnetoresistive element, each of the electrode layers being adjacent to one of surfaces of each of the bias field applying layers and overlapping one of the surfaces of the magnetoresistive element, wherein: the pair of electrode layers include: a pair of first layers each being laid over part of the one of the surfaces of the magnetoresistive element; a pair of second layers overlapping the pair of first layers and electrically connected to the first layers; and a pair of third layers laid over at least part of the pair of second layers respectively and electrically connected to the second layers; the pair of first layers have a pair of side portions located at positions corresponding to the side portions of the magnetoresistive element; the pair of first layers each do not extend onto the one of the surfaces of each of the bias field applying layers; the second layers are smaller than the third layers in thickness; and the second layers are respectively in contact with the side portions of the first layers.