Patent ID: 6620530
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for forming a magnetically pinned layer, comprising:providing a partially formed spin valve, including a non-magnetic layer on a magnetically free layer; on said non-magnetic layer, depositing a first magnetic layer; on said first magnetic layer, depositing a spacer layer to a thickness that is less than 6 Angstroms; on the spacer layer, depositing a second magnetic layer; on the second magnetic layer depositing a pinning layer and then a capping layer; and then annealing all layers in a magnetic field that is less than about 5,000 oersted at a temperature less than 280Â° C., whereby said first and second magnetic layers become aligned relative to one another in a magnetically anti-parallel configuration and a very high internal pinning field is generated.