摘要:
A so-called CPP-GMR device comprises a nonmagnetic thin film the major component of which is a metal having a specific resistance of 4 νΦ•cm to 200 νΦ• cm. The resistance does not become too high even if the device area is limited. Therefore a large output is produced even if the magnetic gap is narrow.
摘要:
A magnetoresistive effect element having a large magnetoresistive change with a small magnetic field, and a memory element using the same. A semiconductor film 2 to provide a window for excitation light is arranged on a substrate 1 via a buffer layer. Another semiconductor film 3 and a nonmagnetic metallic film (or a nonmagnetic insulating film) 4 are arranged on the semiconductor film 2 successively. A magnetic film 5 having a square magnetization curve is arranged on the nonmagnetic metallic film (or a nonmagnetic insulating film) 4. An electrode 6 is arranged beneath the substrate 1 and another electrode 7 is arranged on the magnetic film 5. By radiating a laser light beam to the semiconductor film acting as a window 2, electrons having spin polarization are excited in the semiconductor film 3 so as to utilize the dependency of the scattering of electrons at the surface of the magnetic film 5 on the magnetization orientation of the magnetic film and the spin polarization state of the excited electrons.