Patent ID: 6937446
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistance effect element comprising: a magnetoresistance effect film including a magnetization fixed layer having a ferromagnetic film in which the direction of magnetization is substantially fixed to one direction, a magnetization free layer having a ferromagnetic film in which the direction of magnetization varies in response to an external magnetic field, and a non-magnetic intermediate layer provided between the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer, the non-magnetic intermediate layer comprising a non-magnetic metallic layer and a resistance regulating layer stacked on the non-magnetic metallic layer, the resistance regulating layer formed in the non-magnetic intermediate layer or on the interface between the non-magnetic intermediate layer and at least one of the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer; and a pair of electrodes which are electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film for applying a current in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the magnetoresistance effect film, the resistance regulating layer containing an oxide, a nitride, a fluoride, a carbide or a boride as a principal component and including holes of a metal phase of 2% to 30%, and the mean diameter of each of the holes of the resistance regulating layer being in the range from 10% to 100% with respect to the total thickness of the magnetization free layer, the non-magnetic intermediate layer and the magnetization fixed layer.