Patent ID: 8351165
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive sensor capable of sensing external magnetic fields when a sense current is applied perpendicular to the planes of the layers in the sensor, the sensor comprising: a substrate; a pinned ferromagnetic layer having an in-plane magnetization direction; a free ferromagnetic layer having an in-plane magnetization direction substantially free to rotate in the presence of an external magnetic field; and a spacer layer between the free ferromagnetic layer and the pinned ferromagnetic layer and selected from Ag, Cu and a AgCu alloy; wherein at least one of the free and pinned layers comprises a ferromagnetic alloy comprising Co, Fe and Ge, wherein Ge is present in the alloy in an amount between about 20 and 40 atomic percent, and wherein the ratio of Co to Fe in the alloy is between about 0.8 and 1.2.