Patent ID: 6751073
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A tunneling magnetoresistive element comprising a multilayer film comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer formed in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer so that the magnetization direction is pinned by an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer formed on the pinned magnetic layer with an insulating barrier layer provided therebetween, electrode layers formed above and below the multilayer film, insulating layers formed on both sides of the multilayer film in the track width direction and on the antiferromagnetic layer, and domain control layers respectively formed on the insulating layers so as to contact at least portions of both end surfaces of the free magnetic layer, for orienting the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in a direction crossing the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer;wherein the domain control layers are formed so as not to extend to the upper surface of the multilayer film.