Patent ID: 6549384
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A dual spin-valve magnetoresistive thin film element comprising;a free magnetic layer; first and second nonmagnetic electrically conductive layers, wherein said first nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer resides below said free magnetic layer and wherein said second nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer overlies said free magnetic layer; first and second dual pinned magnetic layers, each of said first and second dual pinned magnetic layers including a first pinned magnetic layer and a second pinned magnetic layer separated by a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, wherein said first dual pinned magnetic layer resides below said first nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer, and wherein said second dual pinned magnetic layer overlies said second nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer; first and second antiferromagnetic layers, wherein said first antiferromagnetic layer resides below said first dual pinned magnetic layer, and wherein said second antiferromagnetic layer overlies said second dual pinned magnetic layer; wherein said first pinned magnetic layer of said first dual pinned magnetic layer contacts said first antiferromagnetic layer, and wherein said second pinned magnetic layer of said first dual pinned magnetic layer contacts said first nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer; wherein said first pinned magnetic layer of said second dual pinned magnetic layer contacts said second antiferromagnetic layer, and wherein said second pinned magnetic layer of said second dual pinned magnetic layer contacts said second nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer; wherein a synthesized magnetic moment of said first pinned magnetic layer and said second pinned magnetic layer in said first dual pinned magnetic layer, and a synthesized magnetic moment of said first pinned magnetic layer, and said second pinned magnetic layer in said second dual pinned magnetic layer are facing in opposite directions; wherein said synthesized magnetic moment of said first pinned magnetic layer and second pinned magnetic layer in each of said first and second dual pinned magnetic layers is formed by adding a magnetic moment of said first pinned magnetic layer and a magnetic moment of said second pinned magnetic layer in each of said first and second dual pinned magnetic layers; and wherein each of said magnetic moments is a product of a saturation magnetization Ms and a film thickness t of each of said pinned magnetic layers.