Abstract:
An underlying layer is composed of Co—Fe—B that is an amorphous magnetic material. Thus, the upper surface of the underlying layer can be taken as a lower shield layer-side reference position for obtaining a gap length (GL) between upper and lower shields, resulting in a narrower gap than before. In addition, since the underlying layer has an amorphous structure, the underlying layer does not adversely affect the crystalline orientation of individual layers to be formed thereon, and the surface of the underlying layer has good planarizability. Accordingly, PW50 (half-amplitude pulse width) and SN ratio can be improved more than before without causing a decrease in rate of change in resistance (Δ R/R) or the like, thereby achieving a structure suitable for increasing recording density.
Abstract translation:下层由作为非晶磁性材料的Co-Fe-B组成。 因此,可以将下层的上表面作为下屏蔽层侧参考位置,以获得上屏蔽和下屏蔽之间的间隙长度(GL),导致与之前的间隙较窄。 此外,由于底层具有非晶结构,所以下层不会对要在其上形成的各层的结晶取向产生不利影响,并且下层的表面具有良好的平坦化性。 因此,PW50(半幅度脉冲宽度)和SN比可以比以前更多地改善,而不会导致电阻变化率(&Dgr; R / R)等的降低,从而实现适于提高记录密度的结构。
Abstract:
In a tunneling magnetoresistive element, an insulating barrier layer is made of Mg—O, and a first pinned magnetic layer has a laminated structure in which a nonmagnetic metal sublayer made of Ta is interposed between a lower ferromagnetic sublayer and an upper ferromagnetic sublayer. The nonmagnetic metal sublayer has an average thickness of about 1 Å or more and about 5 Å or less.
Abstract:
A tunneling magnetic sensing element including an Mg—O insulating barrier which can maintain favorable soft-magnetic properties of a free magnetic layer and can have a high resistance change ratio (ΔR/R) compared to known tunnel magnetic sensing elements is disclosed, and a method of manufacturing such a tunneling magnetic sensing element is also disclosed. An enhance layer (second magnetic layer) composed of Co100-XFeX having a Fe composition ratio X of about 30 to 100 at % is disposed on the Mg—O insulating barrier. With this, the magnetostriction λ of the free magnetic layer can be reduced and the resistance change ratio (ΔR/R) can be increased.
Abstract translation:公开了一种隧道式磁感应元件,其包括能够保持自由磁性层的有利的软磁性能并且与已知的隧道磁传感元件相比可以具有高电阻变化率(&Dgr; R / R)的Mg-O绝缘屏障, 并且还公开了制造这种隧道磁传感元件的方法。 在Mg-O绝缘屏障上设置由Fe组成比X为约30〜100原子%的Co100-XFeX构成的增强层(第二磁性层)。 由此,可以减小自由磁层的磁致伸缩λ,并且可以增加电阻变化率(&Dgr; R / R)。
Abstract:
A magnetic sensing element is provided. A free magnetic layer has a three-layer structure including CoMnα sublayers each composed of a metal compound represented by the formula: Co2xMnxαy. The α contains an element β and Sb, the element β being at least one element selected from Ge, Ga, In, Si, Pb, Zn, Sn, and Al. The concentration x and the concentration y are each represented in terms of atomic percent and satisfy the equation: 3x+y=100 atomic percent. One of the CoMnα sublayers is in contact with a lower nonmagnetic material layer. The other CoMnα sublayer is in contact with upper nonmagnetic material layer. As a result, it is possible to achieve a high ΔRA and a lower interlayer coupling magnetic field Hin compared with the known art.
Abstract:
A free magnetic layer of a tunnel-effect type magnetic sensor is formed on an insulating barrier layer made of Mg—O, and the free magnetic layer includes an enhancement layer, a first soft magnetic layer, a non-magnetic metal layer, and a second soft magnetic layer, which are laminated in that order from the bottom. For example, the enhancement layer is formed of Co—Fe, the first and the second soft magnetic layers are formed of Ni—Fe, and the non-magnetic metal layer is formed of Ta. The average thickness of the first soft magnetic layer is formed in the range of 5 to 60 Å. Accordingly, a high resistance change rate (ΔR/R) can be obtained.
Abstract:
A magnetic sensor comprising: a multilayer film which has a pinned magnetic layer, the magnetization thereof being pinned in one direction, and a free magnetic layer formed on the pinned magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic material layer provided therebetween, in which current is allowed to flow in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the layers forming the multilayer film, wherein the pinned magnetic layer has a NiaFeb alloy layer (where a and b each indicate atomic percent, and 0
Abstract:
A magnetic detecting element capable of maintaining a large ΔRA and reducing magnetostriction by changing a material of a free magnetic layer, and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. A CoMnXZ alloy layer or CoMnXRh alloy layer is formed in a free magnetic layer where an element X is at least one or two elements of Ge, Ga, In, Si, Pb, and Zn, and an element X in the latter case is at least one or two elements of Ge, Ga, In, Si, Pb, Zn, Sn, Al, and Sb. By forming the CoMnXZ alloy layer or the CoMnXRh alloy layer in the free magnetic layer, the magnetostriction of the free magnetic layer can be reduced while maintaining the large ΔRA, compared with a case where only the CoMnX alloy is formed.
Abstract:
A magnetic sensor uses a magnetoresistance element which can be driven in a stable manner with a dipole irrespective of a polarity of an external magnetic field. A resistance value R of first magnetoresistance elements varies, and a resistance value of second magnetoresistance elements does not vary with a variation in magnetic field magnitude of the external magnetic field H1 in the positive direction. A resistance value R of second magnetoresistance elements varies and a resistance value of first magnetoresistance elements does not vary with a variation in magnetic field magnitude of the external magnetic field H2 in the negative direction. Accordingly, the magnetic sensor can be driven in a stable manner with a dipole irrespective of the polarity of the external magnetic field.
Abstract:
A magnetic sensing element has pinned magnetic layers disposed on the two sides of a free magnetic layer in the track width direction with nonmagnetic conductive layers therebetween, and an electric current flows through these layers in parallel to the surfaces. The back end of the free magnetic layer in the track width direction extends in parallel to the track width direction. The back ends of the nonmagnetic conductive layers are coincident with the reference line drawn by extending the back end of the free magnetic layer. At least part of the back ends of the pinned magnetic layers is coincident with the reference line. Each pinned magnetic layer is shaped so that the region near the nonmagnetic conductive layer and the free magnetic layer has a smaller length in the height direction to achieve higher current density.
Abstract:
A free magnetic layer of a tunnel-effect type magnetic sensor is formed on an insulating barrier layer made of Mg—O, and the free magnetic layer includes an enhancement layer, a first soft magnetic layer, a non-magnetic metal layer, and a second soft magnetic layer, which are laminated in that order from the bottom. For example, the enhancement layer is formed of Co—Fe, the first and the second soft magnetic layers are formed of Ni—Fe, and the non-magnetic metal layer is formed of Ta. The average thickness of the first soft magnetic layer is formed in the range of 5 to 60 Å. Accordingly, a high resistance change rate (ΔR/R) can be obtained.