Patent ID: 6767655
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: B82Y,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A magneto-resistive element, comprising:an intermediate layer; and a pair of magnetic layers sandwiching the intermediate layer; wherein one of the magnetic layers is a free magnetic layer in which magnetization rotation with respect to an external magnetic field is easier than in the other magnetic layer; wherein the free magnetic layer is a multilayer film including at least one non-magnetic layer and magnetic layers sandwiching the non-magnetic layer; and wherein an element area, which is defined by the area of the intermediate layer through which current flows perpendicular to the film plane, is not larger than 1000 &mgr;m2, the non-magnetic layer is a conductor including a multilayer film with at least one layer of non-magnetic metal and at least one layer of non-magnetic material selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, carbides and borides.