Patent ID: 6937449
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetic head provided with a spin-valve type magnetoresistive element in which a ferromagnetic layer a direction of the magnetization of which is substantially pinned for an external magnetic field and a soft magnetic free layer the magnetization of which can be turned according to an external magnetic field, are laminated, via a non-magnetic intermediate layer, and characterized in that the magnetization of the soft magnetic free layer is rotated according to the external magnetic field, a relative angle between a direction of the magnetization of the soft magnetic layer and a direction of the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer varies and magnetoresistance is produced, wherein: a single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer is formed on the soft magnetic free layer, via a non-magnetic separating layer; the single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer turns the soft magnetic free layer a single magnetic domain so that the soft magnetic free layer has magnetization substantially induced in a direction substantially perpendicular to an external magnetic field because the soft magnetic free layer and the single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer are magnetostatically coupled, via the non-magnetic separating layer, at the end of track width, and a closed magnetic circuit is formed; the single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer has effectively fixed magnetization in the direction of substantially perpendicular to an external magnetic field from a magnetic medium; and the single magnetic domain turning ferromagnetic layer is provided with a hard magnetic film made of a mixture of a semiconductor and ferromagnetic metal.