The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 05, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1998
Yukie Nakazawa, Niigata-ken, JP;
Masamichi Saito, Niigata-ken, JP;
Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A spin-valve type thin film element includes an antiferromagnetic layer; a fixed magnetic layer formed so as to be in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer, the magnetization direction of the fixed magnetic layer being fixed by the exchange anisotropic magnetic field between the fixed magnetic layer and the antiferromagnetic layer; a free magnetic layer formed on the fixed magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic conductive layer therebetween; a bias layer for setting the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in the direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the fixed magnetic layer; and a conductive layer for applying a sensing current into the fixed magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the free magnetic layer. The magnetization of the fixed magnetic layer in the central region is fixed in the height direction, and the magnetization of the fixed magnetic layer in the end regions is fixed in the direction inclined in relation to the height direction. A method of manufacturing such a spin-valve type thin film element is also disclosed.