Patent ID: 7164560
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A spin-valve magnetoresistive thin film element, comprising: an antiferromagnetic layer; a pinned magnetic film contacting said antiferromagnetic layer, wherein a magnetizing direction is pinned by an exchange coupling magnetic field between said pinned magnetic layer and said antiferromagnetic layer; a free magnetic layer; and a nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer formed between said free magnetic layer and said pinned magnetic layer, wherein a magnetizing direction of said free magnetic layer is aligned so as to intersect with said magnetizing direction of said pinned magnetic film; wherein said pinned magnetic film includes a first pinned magnetic layer contacting said antiferromagnetic layer and a second pinned magnetic layer and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer therebetween, wherein said first pinned magnetic layer and said second pinned magnetic layer have different thicknesses; wherein said antiferromagnetic layer comprises one of an X—Mn alloy, where X is selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Ru, Os and combinations thereof, and a Pt—Mn—X′ alloy, where X′ is selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ir, Rh, Ru, Os, Au, Ag and combinations thereof; and wherein a thickness of said first pinned magnetic layer, a thickness of said second pinned magnetic layer, and a ratio of said thickness of said first pinned magnetic layer to said thickness of said second pinned magnetic layer are configured such that said exchange coupling magnetic field has an intensity of at least about 1 kOe.