Patent ID: 6128167
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
A spin-valve magnetoresistive element comprising:an antiferromagnetic layer;a pinned magnetic layer formed on said antiferromagnetic layer, the magnetic direction of said pinned magnetic layer being pinned by the exchange anisotropic magnetic field between said pinned magnetic layer and said antiferromagnetic layer;a non-magnetic electrically conductive layer and a free magnetic layer deposited thereon;a bias layer for aligning the magnetic direction of said free magnetic layer in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic direction of said pinned magnetic layer; andan electrode layer for applying a sensing current into said pinned magnetic layer, said non-magnetic electrically conductive layer, and said free magnetic layer,wherein, said antiferromagnetic layer and said pinned magnetic layer are extended to the external regions beside both sides of said non-magnetic electrically conductive layer and said free magnetic layer, a non-magnetic layer is formed from the top of said pinned magnetic layer in said external regions beside both sides to both sides of said non-magnetic electrically conductive layer and said free magnetic layer, and said bias layer and said electrode layer are further deposited in that order on said pinned magnetic layer in said external regions beside both sides with the non-magnetic layer therebetween,wherein said bias layer has a thick portion having a uniform thickness that is thicker than said free magnetic layer, the thick portion of said bias layer facing said free magnetic layer is provided adjacent to both sides of said free magnetic layer with said non-magnetic layer therebetween, a range in the thickness direction of a portion having a uniform thickness in said free magnetic layer that is within a range in the thickness direction of the portion having the uniform thickness in said bias layer, and a portion of said non-magnetic layer formed on both sides of said non-magnetic electrically conductive layer and said free magnetic layer tapers from said non-magnetic electrically conductive layer towards said free magnetic layer.