Patent ID: 7218483
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive effect element comprising: a magnetoresistive effect film including a magnetization-pinned layer having a magnetic film whose direction of magnetization is pinned substantially in one direction, a magnetization free layer having a magnetic film whose direction of magnetization varies in response to an external magnetic field, a nonmagnetic metallic intermediate layer interposed between said magnetization-pinned layer and said magnetization free layer, and a resistance adjustment layer interposed between said magnetization-pinned layer and said magnetization free layer and containing, as a major component, one material selected from the group consisting of CoSi, (Co a pair of electrodes electrically coupled to said magnetoresistive effect film to supply a sense current substantially vertically of the film plane of said magnetoresistive effect film, wherein the magnetization-pinned layer includes first and second ferromagnetic layers, and an anti-parallel coupling layer disposed between the first and second ferromagnetic layers, the anti-parallel coupling layer coupling the first and second ferromagnetic layers in an anti-parallel magnetization direction.