Patent ID: 6674615
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A magneto-resistance effect head, comprising:a magneto-resistance effect element whose resistance value changes depending on applied magnetic fields, said magneto-resistance effect element comprising a free magnetic layer whose magnetization direction changes depending on applied magnetic fields, a nonmagnetic layer, a fixed magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is fixed, and a fixing layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the fixed magnetic layer; a first electrode-cum-magnetic shield layer which is disposed at the free magnetic layer side of the magneto-resistance effect element and functions both as electrode and magnetic shield of the magneto-resistance effect element; a second electrode-cum-magnetic shield layer which is disposed at the fixing layer side of the magneto-resistance effect element and functions both as electrode and magnetic shield of the magneto-resistance effect element; and a magnetic gap adjusting layer which is made of a nonmagnetic conductor and provided between the free magnetic layer and the first electrode-cum-magnetic shield layer, wherein the first and second electrodes-cum-magnetic shield layers, the free magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic layer, the fixed magnetic layer, and the fixing layer are laminated in one direction, further comprising a protection layer between the free magnetic layer and the magnetic gap adjusting layer.