Patent ID: 7054116
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A spin valve element comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer formed in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer so that the magnetization direction thereof is pinned by an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer in contact with the pinned magnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer in contact with the nonmagnetic conductive layer; wherein the free magnetic layer comprises a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and first and second free magnetic layers with the nonmagnetic intermediate layer provided therebetween, the second free magnetic layer is formed in contact with the nonmagnetic conductive layer, the first and second free magnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled with each other to bring both layers into a ferrimagnetic state, and either of the first and second free magnetic layers comprises a ferromagnetic insulating film, wherein the ferromagnetic insulating film comprises a ferromagnetic insulating oxide film comprising a mixture of a fine crystal phase of bcc structure Fe having an average crystal grain diameter of 10 nm or less and an amorphous phase containing large amounts of T or T′ and O (wherein T represents at least one element of the rare earth elements, and T′ represents at least one element of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, and W), and the ratio of the fine crystal phase of bcc structure Fe to the entire structure is 50% or less.