摘要:
A magnetoresistive memory apparatus with a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of intersecting, non-contacting word lines and bit lines constituting a matrix, and a plurality of ferromagnetic tunnel junction devices located adjacent each intersection of the plurality of lines, each junction device having, disposed one upon another via insulating layers, free layers having variable magnetization directions and fixed magnetization layers having fixed magnetization directions, with magnetized information being written to the memory device at an intersection selected by magnetization electric currents supplied to the lines, the magnetized information read out by detecting the resistance variance of electric currents flowing through the memory device due to the tunnel effect. The plurality of junction devices deviate from the intersections of the plurality of lines, and between the lines are non-contacting free layer extended portions being extensions from only the free layer, to shorten the interval there between.
摘要:
A magnetic sensor which comprises (1) a supporting substrate, (2) a ferromagnetic tunnel junction element which has a first magnetic layer on the supporting substrate, a tunnel insulation layer on the first magnetic layer, the tunnel insulation layer comprising aluminum oxide obtained by oxidizing an aluminum film formed on the first magnetic layer by sputtering using an aluminum target having a purity of 99.999% or more, and a second magnetic layer on the tunnel insulation layer, and (3) a converter element converting a change in a magnetic field to a change in resistance. Alternatively, as the ferromagnetic tunnel junction element of (2), one whose tunnel junction has a voltage-resistance characteristic which is asymmetric in the direction of the applied voltage is used. The asymmetric voltage-resistance characteristic may be obtained by heat treatment of a film of the insulation layer material, changing a partial pressure of oxygen in an atmosphere for the formation of insulation layer of an oxide, use of two or more target material for the formation of film and a moving substrate, and the like.
摘要:
A tunnel junction structure is provided. A first magnetic layer is formed on a support substrate. A tunnel insulating layer is disposed on the first magnetic layer, the tunnel insulating layer containing a metal element as a constituent. A second magnetic layer is disposed on the tunnel insulating layer. A diffusion preventing layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the tunnel insulating layer. The diffusion preventing layer suppresses mutual diffusion between metal atoms in the first magnetic layer and metal atoms in the tunnel insulating layer. The tunnel insulating layer and the diffusion preventing layer each have a thickness allowing tunnel current to flow between the first and second magnetic layers.
摘要:
A magnetoresistive effect element is a compound lamination including a first anti-ferromagnetic layer, a first fixed magnetic layer, a tunnel insulation layer, a free magnetic layer, a non-magnetic metal layer, a second fixed magnetic layer, and a second anti-ferromagnetic layer such that a TMR element and a SVMR element are formed, sharing the free magnetic layer.
摘要:
A magnetic sensor including a ferromagnetic tunnel junction, comprises a free layer 10 a magnetic direction of which freely rotates, and a barrier layer 11 formed on the free layer and reduces a thickness in a first region, the free layer in a region corresponding to the first region functioning as a sensor portion for sensing an external magnetic field. Such magnetic sensor can provide magnetic sensors, magnetic heads and magnetic encoders having high sensitivity. Furthermore, such magnetic sensor can provide magnetic heads which are adaptable to high recording density of magnetic storage mediums, and hard disk devices of large storage capacities using the magnetic heads.
摘要:
A magnetoresistive memory apparatus with a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of intersecting, non-contacting word lines and bit lines constituting a matrix, and a plurality of ferromagnetic tunnel junction devices located adjacent each intersection of the plurality of lines, each junction device having, disposed one upon another via insulating layers, free layers having variable magnetization directions and fixed magnetization layers having fixed magnetization directions, with magnetized information being written to the memory device at an intersection selected by magnetization electric currents supplied to the lines, the magnetized information read out by detecting the resistance variance of electric currents flowing through the memory device due to the tunnel effect. The plurality of junction devices deviate from the intersections of the plurality of lines, and between the lines are non-contacting free layer extended portions being extensions from only the free layer, to shorten the interval there between.
摘要:
A dedicated read IC chip is mounted on a head suspension. The dedicated read IC chip is located closer to a read element. A stray capacitance of a wiring can be reduced. Even if the electric resistance value of the read element increases, the magnetic information data of a higher density can be read out. Moreover, the dedicated read IC chip generates little heat. Even if the dedicated read IC chip is located on the head suspension, an excessive heat cannot be transmitted to the head suspension from the dedicated read IC chip. The mechanical properties and shape of the head suspension can be maintained as expected.
摘要:
A magnetic element includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an insulating layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer laminated in this order. At least one of the first and second ferromagnetic layers includes a lower ferromagnetic layer, a non-magnetic conductive layer, and an upper ferromagnetic layer laminated in this order. By changing the kind or the composition of material of the upper and lower ferromagnetic layers, the amount of magnetization of each layer can be controlled to reduce affection by magnetostatic coupling. Changeability of magnetized direction of the first or second ferromagnetic layer can be regulated thereby. This realizes an improvement of sensitivity.
摘要:
A ferromagnetic tunnel-junction magnetic sensor includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an insulation barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer and including therein a tunnel oxide film, and a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the insulation barrier layer, wherein the insulation barrier layer includes a metal layer carrying the tunnel oxide film thereon such that the tunnel oxide film is formed of an oxide of a metal element constituting the metal layer, and wherein the insulation barrier layer has a thickness of about 1.7 nm or less but larger than 1 molecular layer in terms of the oxide forming the tunnel oxide film.
摘要:
A ferromagnetic tunnel-junction magnetic sensor includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an insulation barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer and including therein a tunnel oxide film, and a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the insulation barrier layer, wherein the insulation barrier layer includes a metal layer carrying the tunnel oxide film thereon such that the tunnel oxide film is formed of an oxide of a metal element constituting the metal layer, and wherein the insulation barrier layer has a thickness of about 1.7 nm or less but larger than 1 molecular layer in terms of the oxide forming the tunnel oxide film.