Patent ID: 7615996
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An examination method for a magnetoresistance (MR) effect element comprising an MR effect part having a non magnetic middle layer, a first ferromagnetic layer that functions as a free layer and a second ferromagnetic layer that functions as a free layer, wherein the first and second ferromagnetic layers are laminated in a manner of sandwiching the nonmagnetic middle layer, the MR element comprising a Current Perpendicular to Plane (CPP) structure, wherein a sense current is applied to the MR effect part in the laminating direction, and wherein an orthogonalizing bias function part is formed on a rear part of the MR effect part in order to influence the action of substantially orthogonalizing the magnetization directions of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, the examination method being structured for: changing the magnetization direction of the orthogonalizing bias function part between a first magnetization forming mode, wherein the magnetization direction is from the anterior side of the element to the posterior side thereof, and a second magnetization forming mode, wherein the magnetization direction is from the posterior side of the element to the anterior side thereof, measuring the output waveform of the element in response to an external magnetic field for each magnetization forming mode, and checking the state of the output waveforms of both modes in order to examine whether or not the magnetization directions of the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, both of which functions as free layers, are antiparallel to each other in the track width direction before the orthogonalizing bias function part starts functioning.