Granular type free layer and magnetic head
First Claim
1. A magnetic element comprising:
- a granular type free layer having a magnetization direction adjustable in response to an external field, said granular type free layer comprising a non-magnetic insulating matrix and magnetic grains that comprise a magnetic material disposed therein;
a pinned layer having a substantially fixed magnetization direction; and
a spacer sandwiched between said pinned layer and said granular type free layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reader of a magnetoresistive head includes a granular type free layer. The magnetoresistive head is for a current-perpendicular to plane type, and can be used in either a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) or ballistic magnetoresistance (BMR) scheme. The granular type free layer includes an insulating matrix, for example but not by way of limitation, Al2O3, and metal magnetic grains, for example but not by way of limitation, Ni, CoFe or NiFe. The metal grain size is about 10 to 30 nm, and the effect of having these grains interspersed in the insulative matrix is to provide a softer granular type free layer having a low magnetization. Accordingly, the granular type free layer of the present invention can be made thicker, on the order of about 5 to 10 nm, thus further improving overall thermal stability, reducing spin transfer effect and improving output read signal.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A magnetic element comprising:
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a granular type free layer having a magnetization direction adjustable in response to an external field, said granular type free layer comprising a non-magnetic insulating matrix and magnetic grains that comprise a magnetic material disposed therein;
a pinned layer having a substantially fixed magnetization direction; and
a spacer sandwiched between said pinned layer and said granular type free layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A device, comprising:
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a granular type free layer having a magnetization direction adjustable in response to an external field, said granular type free layer comprising a non-magnetic insulating matrix and magnetic grains that comprise a magnetic material disposed therein;
a pinned layer having a substantially fixed magnetization direction; and
a spacer sandwiched between said pinned layer and said granular type free layer.
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Specification