Patent ID: 6519122
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A spin-valve thin-film element that receives an electric current from a current source, comprising:a pinned magnetic layer having a pinned magnetization direction; a nonmagnetic conductive layer operatively connected to the pinned magnetic layer; a free magnetic layer operatively connected to the nonmagnetic conductive layer, the free magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction; a biasing layer operatively connected to the free magnetic layer, wherein the biasing layer orients the variable magnetization direction in a direction perpendicular to the pinned magnetization direction; a conductive layer electrically connected to receive the current from the current source and operatively connected to the biasing layer, the conductive layer applying a detecting current to the pinned magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the free magnetic layer; and a biasing conductive layer electrically connected to receive the current from the current source and operatively connected to the conductive layer, wherein the biasing conductive layer controls the variable magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer, wherein the current is applied to the biasing conductive layer to form a variable current magnetic field for controlling the variable magnetization direction, wherein the variable current magnetic field has a variable direction, and wherein the intensity of the current in the biasing conductive layer is controlled without affecting the intensity of the detecting current.