Patent ID: 7268983
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetic sensing device comprising a multilayer material having a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic material layer, and a free magnetic layer, wherein the pinned magnetic layer is a composite comprising a nonmagnetic intermediate layer and a plurality of magnetic thin-film layers disposed so as to be separated from each other by the nonmagnetic intermediate layer; wherein a first magnetostriction-enhancing layer made of a nonmagnetic metal is disposed on the pinned magnetic layer so as to be contact with a first thin-film layer placed farthest from the nonmagnetic material layer; wherein at least one of the magnetic thin-film layers has a composite structure comprising a second magnetostriction-enhancing layer made of a nonmagnetic metal and a plurality of magnetic layers disposed so as to be separated from each other by the second magnetostriction-enhancing layer; wherein all of the magnetic layers are magnetized in the same direction antiparallel to the adjacent magnetic thin-film layer separated by the nonmagnetic intermediate layer; wherein at least some crystals of the first magnetostriction-enhancing layer and the first thin-film layer are epitaxial or heteroepitaxial and at least some crystals of the second magnetostriction-enhancing layer and the magnetic layers are epitaxial or heteroepitaxial; and wherein the pinned magnetic layer has an open end face facing a recording medium.