Magnetoresistive element and magnetic recording apparatus
US6348274B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/1171
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetoresistive element includes a pinned layer, free layer and non-magnetic spacer film between them. The pinned layer is made up of a first ferromagnetic metal layer, first non-metal layer on the first ferromagnetic metal layer, second non-metal layer on the first non-metal layer and different in composition from the first non-metal layer, and second ferromagnetic metal layer on the second non-metal layer. Thus, the magnetoresistive element, which may be used in a magnetic head of a magnetic recording apparatus, ensures a good bias property of the pinned film while maintaining a large MR changing rate of a specular spin valve structure, and it is simultaneously improved in soft magnetic property.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.