Patent ID: 7190558
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive effect element comprising: a magnetoresistive effect film including a magnetization-pinned layer having a magnetic film pinned in magnetization substantially in one direction, a magnetization free layer having a magnetic film variable in direction of magnetization in response to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic metal intermediate layer interposed between said magnetization-pinned layer and said magnetization free layer; and a pair of electrodes electrically coupled to said magnetoresistive effect film to supply a current substantially perpendicularly to the film plane of said magnetoresistive effect film, at least one of said magnetization-pinned layer, said magnetization free layer and said nonmagnetic metal intermediate layer including a first layer which contains a half-metal as a major component thereof and a second layer whose content of said half-metal is lower than said first layer and higher than zero, wherein said half-metal is at least one of CrO