Patent ID: 6700750
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: B82Y,C21D,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A spin-valve thin-film magnetic element comprising:a substrate, a laminate formed on the substrate, biasing layers, and conductive electrode layers; the laminate comprising a free magnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, a first pinned magnetic layer and a first antiferromagnetic layer deposited on the upper surface, away from the substrate, of the free magnetic layer; a second nonmagnetic conductive layer, a second pinned magnetic layer and a second antiferromagnetic layer deposited on the lower surface, near the substrate, of the free magnetic layer; the biasing layers orienting the magnetization vector of the free magnetic layer in a direction perpendicular to the magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layers; the conductive electrode layers supplying a sensing current to the free magnetic layer; wherein the first antiferromagnetic layer adjoining the first pinned magnetic layer fixes the magnetization vector of the first pinned magnetic layer in one direction; the second antiferromagnetic layer adjoining the second pinned magnetic layer fixes the magnetization vector of the second pinned magnetic layer in a direction antiparallel to the magnetization vector of the first pinned magnetic layer; and the first and second antiferromagnetic layers comprise an alloy comprising Mn and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Ru, Os, Au, Ag, Cr, Ni, Ne, Ar, Xe and Kr and the second antiferromagnetic layer comprises an alloy represented by the formula: XmMn100âˆ’m wherein X is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ir, Rh, Ru and Os, and m is in a range of 48 atomic percent to 58 atomic percent.