Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
GMR magnetic detecting element comprising current limiting layer provided in free magnetic layer and method of manufacturing the detecting element
The present invention provides a CPP-type spin-valve magnetic detecting element permitting a decrease in an effective element area even with a large optical element area. A current limiting layer having an insulating portion and a conductive portion is formed in a free magnetic layer to narrow a sensing current and decrease diffusion of the sensing current. Also, the current density of the sensing current flowing through the free magnetic layer can be securely locally increased. Therefore, even when the optical element area of the free magnetic layer in parallel to the film plane is 0.01 μm2 or more, the effective element area can be securely decreased, and a CPP-type magnetic detecting element producing large ΔR and high reproduction output can easily be formed.
Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
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G11B G11B B82Y G01R Y10T G11B Y10T B82Y Y10T G11B
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Naoya Masamichi
Hasegawa Saito