Patent ID: 6714388
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F

Abstract:
A magnetic sensing element comprising a multilayer film comprising a first antiferromagnetic layer; a pinned magnetic layer, the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer being pinned by the first antiferromagnetic layer; a nonmagnetic material layer; a free magnetic layer, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer varying in response to an external magnetic field; a nonmagnetic layer; a pair of ferromagnetic layers; a pair of second antiferromagnetic layers; a first electrode layer; a second electrode layer; and a track width region comprising a central region and a pair of sides,wherein the multilayer film has a characteristic track width direction; wherein the nonmagnetic layer has a uniform thickness, or the thickness of the nonmagnetic layer is larger in its central region than in its side regions; wherein the pair of ferromagnetic layers are formed on the upper surface of the nonmagnetic layer, the pair of ferromagnetic layers at a predetermined distance apart from one another in the track width direction; wherein the pair of the second antiferromagnetic layers are provided on the pair of ferromagnetic layers; and wherein the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer is substantially perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer by magnetic coupling with the ferromagnetic layers, the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic layers being aligned by magnetic coupling with the second antiferromagnetic layers.