Patent ID: 7242067

Claim:
A magnetic memory device formed on a substrate comprising: a pinned layer magnetized in a first direction and patterned to a first width, wherein the pinned layer has a plurality of outer lateral edges; a sense layer that can be selectively magnetized in the first direction or a second direction that is opposite the first direction so as to change the net resistivity of the magnetic memory device, and wherein the sense layer is patterned to a second width that is at least less than the first width to thereby reduce magnetic coupling between the pinned and sense layers, wherein the sense layer has an upper surface and a plurality of outer lateral edges; a spacer structure positioned adjacent the outer lateral edges of the sense layer in a manner such that the outer lateral edges of the spacer structure coincide with the outer lateral edges of the pinned layer, wherein the spacer structure does not extend across the upper surface of the sense layer.