Patent ID: 6657830
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic sensor, comprising:a soft magnetic layer; a ferromagnetic layer; a non-magnetic layer interposed between the soft magnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer such that the magnetization of said ferromagnetic layer is fixed with respect to a magnetic field to be detected; and a magnetoresistive film which changes in magnetoresistance accordingly as the magnetization of said soft magnetic layer rotates in response to an external magnetic field, thereby changing the relative angle with the magnetization of said ferromagnetic layer, wherein the magnetoresistance of the magnetoresistive film changes upon application of a detecting current across said soft magnetic layer and said ferromagnetic layer through said non-magnetic layer, with a peak of the absolute value of the ratio of change in magnetoresistance of said magnetoresistive film being greater than 20% and occurring at a temperature in the range from 0Â° C. to 60Â° C. and with a bias voltage applied across said ferromagnetic layer and said soft magnetic layer being in ranges of +0.2 to +0.8 V and âˆ’0.8 to âˆ’0.2 V.