Patent ID: 6826022
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A magnetic sensor comprising:a laminate having a first antiferromagnetic layer, a fixed magnetic layer formed on an upper surface of the first antiferromagnetic layer, a magnetization of the fixed magnetic layer being fixed in a predetermined direction by an exchange coupling magnetic field generated between the first antiferromagnetic layer and the fixed magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic material layer formed on an upper surface of the fixed magnetic layer; insulating layers formed on two sides in a track width direction of the laminate; a free magnetic layer formed continuously on an upper surface of the nonmagnetic material layer and upper surfaces of the insulating layers, a magnetization of the free magnetic layer being aligned in a direction crossing that of the fixed magnetic layer; a second antiferromagnetic layer formed at an upper side of the free magnetic layer; a recess portion formed in the second antiferromagnetic layer from an upper surface thereof in a direction toward the laminate at a position opposing the laminate in a thickness direction; and electrode layers formed at a lower side of the laminate and the upper side of the second antiferromagnetic layer.