Patent ID: 6690553
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
A magnetoresistance effect device, comprising:a substrate having a main surface; a magnetoresistance effect film composed of a magnetic multi-layer film having at least an antiferromagnetic film, a first ferromagnetic film, a non-magnetic film, and a second ferromagnetic film formed in that order above the main surface of said substrate, the magnetic multi-layer film having a giant magnetoresistance effect, the second ferromagnetic film having a first portion corresponding to a magnetic field detecting portion and a second portion corresponding to outer portions of both edge portions of the magnetic yield detecting portion, the film thickness of the second portion being smaller than the film thickness of the first portion, wherein a top surface of each of the second portions is substantially parallel to a top surface of the first portion; wherein a magnetization of one of said first and second ferromagnetic films is substantially fixed in one direction, and a magnetization of another of said first and second ferromagnetic films is substantially rotatable corresponding to an external magnetic field; a pair of bias magnetic filed applying films disposed on the second ferromagnetic film at the outer portions of both the edge portions of the magnetic field detecting portion; and a pair of electrodes for supplying a current to said magnetoresistance effect film.