Patent ID: 8173447
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive element comprising: forming a lower electrode film on a substrate; forming a stacked film on the lower electrode film, the stacked film comprising a first magnetic layer to be a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a tunnel barrier layer, and a second magnetic layer to be a magnetization free layer having a changeable magnetization direction; forming a first upper electrode film on the stacked film; patterning the first upper electrode film to form a first upper electrode; patterning the stacked film with the first upper electrode serving as a mask; forming an insulating film to cover the first upper electrode; exposing an upper face of the first upper electrode; forming a second upper electrode film to cover the first upper electrode; patterning the second upper electrode film to form a second upper electrode; and patterning the lower electrode film to form a lower electrode with the second upper electrode serving as a mask after forming the first and second upper electrodes.