Patent ID: 8023233
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tunneling magnetic sensing element comprising: a pinned magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is pinned in one direction; an insulating barrier layer disposed on the pinned magnetic layer; a free magnetic layer whose magnetization direction varies in response to an external magnetic field disposed on the insulating barrier layer; and a first protective layer composed of iridium-manganese (IrMn) disposed on the free magnetic layer, wherein the free magnetic layer includes an enhancement layer composed of a CoFe alloy and a soft magnetic layer composed of a NiFe alloy disposed in that order from the bottom, the enhancement layer is in contact with the insulating barrier layer, and the soft magnetic layer is in contact with the first protective layer.