Patent ID: 6301089
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
A spin-valve type magnetoresistive thin film element comprising:a antiferromagnetic layer;a pinned magnetic layer in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer, the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer being fixed by an anisotropic exchange magnetic field exchanged with the antiferromagnetic layer;a nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer formed between the pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer;a bias layer for orienting the magnetization of the free magnetic layer to a direction intersecting the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer; andan electrically conductive layer for supplying a sensing current to the pinned magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer and the free magnetic layer;wherein the free magnetic layer comprises a NiFe alloy film and has a thickness in a range of 30 to 100 angstrom,wherein said antiferromagnetic layer comprises two antiferromagnetic layers, one of said two antiferromagnetic layers being formed above and the other of said two antiferromagnetic layers being formed below the free magnetic layer, andwherein the NiFe alloy film, as the constituent of the free magnetic layer, has a Ni content in a range of 81.7 to 84 atomic percent.