Patent ID: 6031692
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
A magnetoresistive device comprising:a soft magnetic layer;at least one hard magnetic layer;at least one non-magnetic layer formed between the soft magnetic layer and the at least one hard magnetic layer, the non-magnetic layer having a thickness of at least about 1.5 nm; andan interface magnetic layer, provided at an interface between the soft magnetic layer and the at least one non-magnetic layer, for enhancing a spin-dependent scattering of conduction electrons at the interface between the non-magnetic layer and the soft magnetic layer, and improving soft magnetic properties of the soft magnetic layer, the interface magnetic layer having a thickness of at least 0.2 nm,wherein the soft magnetic layer includes an amorphous structure, andan axis of easy magnetization of the hard magnetic layer substantially coincides with a direction of a magnetic field to be detected.