Patent ID: 6760200
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F

Abstract:
A spin-valve thin-film magnetic element comprising:a substrate: an antiferromagnetic layer: a pinned magnetic layer in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer, the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer being pinned by an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer; a free magnetic layer formed on the pinned magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic conductive layer therebetween, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer being aligned in a direction substantially orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer; a pair of hard bias layers for aligning the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in the direction substantially orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer, at least a part of the free magnetic layer comprising an NiFe alloy; and a pair of electrode layers for applying a sensing current to the pinned magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the free magnetic layer, wherein the magnetic read track width Tw (&mgr;m) and the Ni content CNi (at. %), which are shown in accompanying FIG. 1 as point (Tw, CNi), are within the range obtained by linking point A1 (0.4, 89.9), point B1 (0.35, 89), point C1 (0.3, 87.7), point D1 (0.25, 86.5), point E1 (0.22, 84.9), point F1 (0.20, 83), point G1 (0.19, 82.5), point H1 (0.18, 81), point I1(0.17, 80.5), point J1 (0.15, 77.3), point K1 (0.13, 76.8), point L1 (0.1, 75), point M1 (0.1, 70.2), point N1 (0.13, 70.2), point O1 (0.15, 70.2), point P1 (0.17, 70.2), point Q1 (0.18, 70.2), point R1 (0.19, 70.2), point S1 (0.20, 70.2), point T1 (0.22, 70.2), point U1 (0.25, 71.5), point V1 (0.3, 73.6), point W1 (0.35, 75.6), and point X1 (0.4, 77.3).