Patent ID: 8000066
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A giant magneto-resistive effect device (CPP-GMR device) having a CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure comprising a spacer layer, and a fixed magnetization layer and a free layer stacked one upon another with said spacer layer interposed between them, with a sense current applied in a stacking direction, characterized in that: said free layer functions such that a magnetization direction changes depending on an external magnetic field, and, said spacer layer comprises a first nonmagnetic metal layer and a second nonmagnetic metal layer, each formed of a nonmagnetic metal material, and a semiconductor layer interposed between the first nonmagnetic metal layer and the second nonmagnetic metal layer, wherein: the semiconductor layer forming a part of said spacer layer has a thickness set in a thickness range for a transitional area showing conduction performance halfway between ohmic conduction and semi-conductive conduction in relation to a junction of said semiconductor layer with said first nonmagnetic metal layer and said second nonmagnetic metal layer.