Patent ID: 6483673
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A differential detection magnetoresistance head comprising:a magnetoresistance element part having a laminated structure, the magnetoresistance element part having a resistance and comprising: a pair of ferromagnetic layers, each having a magnetization, and an intermediate layer interposed between said pair of ferromagnetic layers, said intermediate layer being formed of an electrically conductive material suitable for spin-dependent scattering; and a pair of signal magnetic field detecting ferromagnetic layers, each of the signal magnetic field detecting ferromagnetic layers being disposed outside each of the ferromagnetic layers, wherein the resistance of said magnetoresistance element part is varied when the magnetization of each of the ferromagnetic layers is changed to an opposite direction by signal magnetic fields, and wherein recorded information on a magnetic medium is detected utilizing the variation of resistance based on a giant magnetoresistance effect due to the spin-dependent scattering in said magnetoresistance element part, said pair of ferromagnetic layers is recessed from said pair of signal magnetic field detecting ferromagnetic layers relative to a surface of the magnetoresistance head facing the magnetic medium.