Magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element and method for making the same
First Claim
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1. A magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element comprising:
- a composite comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer on the antiferromagnetic layer and having a first magnetization vector pinned by an exchange anisotropic magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer on the pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer formed on the nonmagnetic conductive layer and having a second magnetization vector;
hard bias layers formed on two sides of the free magnetic layer so that the side face of each hard bias layer is in direct contact with the corresponding side face of the free magnetic layer, wherein the hard bias layers orient the second magnetization vector of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layer;
a conductive layer to supply a sense current to the free magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the pinned magnetic layer; and
bias underlayers each provided under each of the hard bias layers, wherein the bias underlayers extend at least below the hard bias layers toward the top face of the pinned magnetic layer, wherein the bias underlayers comprise a nonmagnetic metal having a body-centered cubic structure.
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Abstract
A magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element including a composite comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer, a free magnetic layer; hard bias layers for orienting the magnetic vectors of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially orthogonal to the magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layer; and a conductive layer for supplying a sense current is provided. The hard bias layers are provided at the two sides of the free magnetic layer. The hard bias layers and the free magnetic layers are in contact with each other at least partly. Bias underlayers are provided at the bottom of the hard bias layers.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element comprising:
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a composite comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer on the antiferromagnetic layer and having a first magnetization vector pinned by an exchange anisotropic magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer on the pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer formed on the nonmagnetic conductive layer and having a second magnetization vector;
hard bias layers formed on two sides of the free magnetic layer so that the side face of each hard bias layer is in direct contact with the corresponding side face of the free magnetic layer, wherein the hard bias layers orient the second magnetization vector of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layer;
a conductive layer to supply a sense current to the free magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the pinned magnetic layer; and
bias underlayers each provided under each of the hard bias layers, wherein the bias underlayers extend at least below the hard bias layers toward the top face of the pinned magnetic layer, wherein the bias underlayers comprise a nonmagnetic metal having a body-centered cubic structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A magnetoresistive thin-film magnetic element comprising:
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a composite comprising an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer on the antiferromagnetic layer and having a first magnetization vector pinned by an exchange anisotropic magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer on the pinned magnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer formed on the nonmagnetic conductive layer and having a second magnetization vector;
hard bias layers formed at two sides of the composite, wherein the hard bias layers orient the second magnetization vector of the free magnetic layer in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first magnetization vector of the pinned magnetic layer, wherein the side face of each hard bias layer is in direct contact with the corresponding side face of the free magnetic layer via a pinhole provided in the corresponding underlayer;
a conductive layer to supply a sense current to the free magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the pinned magnetic layer; and
bias underlayers each provided under each of the hard bias layers, wherein the bias underlayers extend at the interfaces between the free magnetic layer and the hard bias layers, wherein the portion controls the crystal orientation of the hard bias layers, wherein the bias underlayers comprise a nonmagnetic metal having a body-centered cubic structure, wherein the thickness of each of the hard bias underlayers is smaller at the interface between the free magnetic layer and each of the hard bias layers than under the hard bias layers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification