Patent ID: 7092223
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane structure magnetoresistive element comprising: a lower portion of a magnetoresistive film extending over a surface of a lower electrode layer by a first width in a lateral direction; an upper portion of the magnetoresistive film extending over a surface of the lower portion by a second width smaller than the first width in the lateral direction; an upper electrode layer contacting an upper surface of the upper portion of the magnetoresistive film; insulators contacting a lower surface of the upper electrode layer and located adjacent the upper portion on the surface of the lower portion in the lateral direction so as to establish a narrow path for electric current between the lower portion of the magnetoresistive film and the upper electrode layer; and domain control magnetic layers sandwiching the upper portion of the magnetoresistive film in the lateral direction, said domain control magnetic layers spaced from the upper portion by the insulators.