Patent ID: 6982855
Filing Date: 2006-01-03
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thin film magnetic head, comprising: a magnetoresistive element incorporating a free layer an orientation of magnetization of which varies according to an external magnetic field, and a pair of electrode layers placed so as to overlap with said free layer on both sides of said free layer and be spaced from each other, for supplying an electric current to said magnetoresistive element, said thin film magnetic head comprising a layer structure placed between a portion overlapping with said electrode layer in each of ambilateral regions of said free layer, and said electrode layer, wherein said layer structure comprises: an electrically conductive, ferromagnetic layer a direction of magnetization of which is fixed; an electrically conductive, nonmagnetic layer placed between said ferromagnetic layer and said free layer; and an electrically conductive, antiferromagnetic layer placed between said ferromagnetic layer and said electrode layer and fixing the direction of magnetization of said ferromagnetic layer, wherein a magnetic thickness of said ferromagnetic layer is set greater than a magnetic thickness of said free layer, and wherein said layer structure further comprises a fixed magnetization layer placed between said antiferromagnetic layer and said electrode layer and a direction of magnetization of which is fixed in a direction opposite to the direction of magnetization of said ferromagnetic layer.