Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080218912 | CPP-type magnetoresistive element having spacer layer that includes semiconductor layer - An MR element includes: a free layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to a signal magnetic field; a pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is fixed; and a spacer layer disposed between these layers. The spacer layer includes: a semiconductor layer made of an n-type semiconductor; and a Schottky barrier forming layer made of a metal material having a work function higher than that of the n-type semiconductor that the semiconductor layer is made of, the Schottky barrier forming layer being disposed in at least one of a position between the semiconductor layer and the free layer and a position between the semiconductor layer and the pinned layer, touching the semiconductor layer and forming a Schottky barrier at an interface between the semiconductor layer and itself The semiconductor layer is 1.1 to 1.7 nm in thickness, and the Schottky barrier forming layer is 0.1 to 0.3 nm in thickness. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218915 | Tunnel Magnetoresistive Effect Element With Lower Noise and Thin-Film Magnet Head Having the Element - Provided is a TMR effect element having no special structures needing much man-hour cost for the formation, in which the high temperature noise and the low temperature noise are suppressed and a sufficiently high resistance-change ratio is provided. The TMR effect element comprises: a tunnel barrier layer formed by oxidizing a base film; and two ferromagnetic layers stacked so as to sandwich the tunnel barrier layer, the base film having a film thickness larger than a film thickness at which a resistance-change ratio of the TMR effect element indicates a maximum value. Here, in the case that the base film is an aluminum film, the film thickness of the aluminum film is preferably in the range of 0.50 nm to 1.5 nm. | 09-11-2008 |
20080246511 | Differential Drive Circuit and Electronic Apparatus Incorporating the Same - A differential driving circuit used for low voltage differential signals and an electronic device incorporating the same are provided wherein no differential amplifiers are used or the number of differential amplifiers are reduced, thereby reducing the circuit area and the current consumption and further solving the problem of oscillation caused by noise, while a high driving performance is achieved. There are included a switch circuit an output circuit and a reference potential generating circuit. The switch circuit, which comprises MOS transistors, receives differential signals and outputs current signals. The output circuit comprises an NMOS transistor, an end of which is connected to the power supply potential of a higher potential side, the other end of which is connected to a node of the switch circuit and which acts as a source follower, and an PMOS transistor, an end of which is connected to the power supply potential of a lower potential side, the other end of which is connected to the other node of the switch circuit and which acts as a source follower. The reference potential generating circuit supplies reference potentials to the respective gates of the PMOS and NMOS transistors. The reference potential generating circuit includes a potential varying means that varies the differential potentials with an offset potential kept constant. Further, there is included an emphasis circuit for the output circuit. | 10-09-2008 |
20080272821 | Signal Converting Circuit - A signal conversion circuit | 11-06-2008 |
20090033365 | TRANSMITTING APPARATUS - To provide a transmitting apparatus capable of suppressing the fluctuation of a common mode potential and performing high-speed, long-distance signal transmission. The transmitting apparatus has a main buffer circuit and a pre-emphasis buffer circuit | 02-05-2009 |
20090086384 | MAGNETO-RESISTANCE EFFECT ELEMENT INCLUDING FERROMAGNETIC LAYER HAVING GRANULAR STRUCTURE - A magneto-resistance effect element of the present invention comprises: a pair of ferromagnetic layers whose magnetization directions change in accordance with an external magnetic field, each of the pair of ferromagnetic layers having a granular structure in which a large number of magnetic grains are distributed within a nonmagnetic matrix material; a conductive nonmagnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between the pair of ferromagnetic layers; and a bias magnetic field applying layer for exerting magnetic force on the pair of ferromagnetic layers. The matrix material in the pair of ferromagnetic layer contains conductive material. Moreover, another magneto-resistance effect element of the present invention includes: a pair of ferromagnetic layers whose magnetization directions change in accordance with an external magnetic field, each of the pair of ferromagnetic layers having a granular structure in which a large number of magnetic grains are distributed within a nonmagnetic matrix material; an insulating nonmagnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between the pair of ferromagnetic layers; and a bias magnetic field applying layer for exerting magnetic force on the pair of ferromagnetic layers. The matrix material in the pair of ferromagnetic layers contains a metallic oxide, and contains the same material as that of the insulating nonmagnetic intermediate layer. | 04-02-2009 |
20090165894 | Methods of fabricating exchange-coupling film, magnetoresistive element, and thin-film magnetic head - The method of fabricating an exchange-coupling film in accordance with the present invention comprises a multilayer body forming step of forming a multilayer body having an antiferromagnetic layer and a ferromagnetic layer laminated on the antiferromagnetic layer; and an annealing step of annealing the multilayer body in a magnetic field with a maximum temperature higher than a blocking temperature of the multilayer body by 15 to 60° C. | 07-02-2009 |
20090174971 | CPP-TYPE MAGNETO RESISTIVE EFFECT ELEMENT HAVING A PAIR OF MAGNETIC LAYERS - A magnetoresistance effect element comprises: a pair of magnetic layers whose magnetization directions form a relative angle therebetween that is variable depending on an external magnetic field; and a crystalline spacer layer sandwiched between the pair of magnetic layers; wherein sense current may flow in a direction that is perpendicular to a film plane of the pair of magnetic layers and the spacer layer. The spacer layer includes a crystalline oxide, and either or both magnetic layers whose magnetization direction is variable depending on the external magnetic field has a layer configuration in which a CoFeB layer is sandwiched between a CoFe layer and a NiFe layer and is positioned between the spacer layer and the NiFe layer. | 07-09-2009 |
20090191430 | EXCHANGE COUPLED FILM, MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT, AND THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD - The exchange coupled film according to the present invention comprises a buffer layer including a laminate in which an amorphous layer and a hafnium layer are laminated in that order, an antiferromagnetic layer laminated on the hafnium layer of the buffer layer via an intermediate layer with a thickness of at least 2 nm, and a pinned magnetic layer laminated on the antiferromagnetic layer. | 07-30-2009 |
20090231762 | MAGNETORESISTIVE EFFECT ELEMENT AND THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD WITH THE MAGNETORESISTIVE EFFECT ELEMENT - An MR element includes a pinned layer, a free layer and a nonmagnetic space layer or a tunnel barrier layer sandwiched between the pinned layer and the free layer. A magnetization direction of the free layer is substantially perpendicular to a film surface thereof, and a magnetization direction of the pinned layer is substantially parallel to a film surface thereof. | 09-17-2009 |
20090237839 | CPP-TYPE MAGNETORESISTANCE EFFECT ELEMENT HAVING THREE MAGNETIC LAYERS - A magnetoresistance effect element comprises: a magnetoresistive stack including: first, second and third magnetic layers whose magnetization directions change in accordance with an external magnetic field, said second magnetic layer being located between said first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer; a first non-magnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers, said first non-magnetic intermediate layer allowing said first magnetic layer and said second magnetic layer to be exchange-coupled such that the magnetization directions thereof are anti-parallel to each other when no magnetic field is applied; and a second non-magnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between said second and third magnetic layers, said second non-magnetic intermediate layer producing a magnetoresistance effect between said second magnetic layer and said third magnetic layer; wherein sense current is adapted to flow in a direction perpendicular to a film plane; a bias magnetic layer provided on an opposite side of said magnetoresistive stack from an air bearing surface, said bias magnetic layer applying a bias magnetic field to said magnetoresistive stack in a direction perpendicular to the air bearing surface. | 09-24-2009 |
20110058270 | Rework method and apparatus of magnetic record medium, information - A reproducing method of reproducing magnetic information written in each of bits of a recording medium using a magnetic head having a reading element configured to measure external magnetic field intensity includes moving, measuring and specifying steps. In the moving step, the magnetic head moves to a position where the reading element covers two bits, one bit having known magnetic information, the other bit being adjacent to the one bit and having unknown magnetic information. In the measuring step, the reading element measures magnetic field intensity coming from the recording medium. In the specifying step, magnetic information of the bit having the unknown magnetic information is specified based on the magnetic field intensity measured in the measuring step and magnetic information of the bit having the known magnetic information. | 03-10-2011 |
20110068786 | MAGNETIC SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A magnetic sensor includes: a first and a second magnetoresistive elements each including: a magnetization free layer; a nonmagnetic spacing layer; a magnetization pinned layer having one or more first layers of a first group of ferromagnetic layers and one or more second layers of a second group of ferromagnetic layers, in which the first layer and the second layer are stacked alternately with a nonmagnetic coupling layer in between, and so antiferromagnetically coupled to each other as to have opposite magnetizations to each other; and an antiferromagnetic layer pinning magnetization orientation in the one or more first and the second layers. The first layers in the first magnetoresistive element are one more in number than that of the one or more second layers. The number of the one or more first layers and that of the one or more second layers in the second magnetoresistive element are equal. | 03-24-2011 |
20120032717 | POWER-ON RESET CIRCUIT - When the value of a power supply voltage (VDD) becomes a first threshold value or higher, a first start-up circuit ( | 02-09-2012 |
20120087045 | THIN FILM MAGNETIC HEAD INCLUDING SPIN-VALVE FILM WITH FREE LAYER MAGNETICALLY CONNECTED WITH SHIELD - A thin film magnetic head includes; an MR film that includes a pinned layer of which a magnetization direction is pinned, a free layer of which a magnetization direction varies, and a spacer that is disposed therebetween; a pair of shields that are disposed on both sides sandwiching the MR film in a direction orthogonal to a film surface of the MR film; and an anisotropy providing layer that provides anisotropy to a first shield so that the first shield is magnetized in a desired direction, and that is disposed on an opposite side from the MR film with respect to the first shield. The MR film includes a magnetic coupling layer that is disposed between the first shield and the free layer and that magnetically couples the first shield with the free layer. | 04-12-2012 |
20120087046 | THIN FILM MAGNETIC HEAD INCLUDING SOFT LAYER MAGNETICALLY CONNECTED WITH SHIELD - A thin film magnetic head includes: a magneto resistance effect film of which electrical resistance varies corresponding to an external magnetic field; a pair of shields provided on both sides in a manner of sandwiching the MR film in a direction that is orthogonal to a film surface of the MR film; an anisotropy providing layer that provides exchange anisotropy to a first shield of the pair of shields in order to magnetize the first shield in a desired direction, and that is disposed on the opposite side from the MR film with respect to the first shield; and side shields that are disposed on both sides of the MR film in a track width direction and that include soft magnetic layers magnetically connected with the first shield. | 04-12-2012 |
20120240390 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MAGNETIC HEAD INCLUDING SHIELD LAYERS WHICH SURROUND A MR ELEMENT - A method of manufacturing a magnetic head that includes a magneto resistance effect (MR) element of which an electrical resistance changes according to an external magnetic field and shield layers surrounding the MR element, and that reads information of a magnetic recording medium is provided. The manufacturing method includes: a first step of forming a multilayer film including a plurality of layers configuring the MR element on a first shield layer; a second step of removing unnecessary portions of the multilayer film positioned on both sides so as to configure the MR element; a third step of forming an insulating layer on a surface exposed by removing the unnecessary portions; a fourth step of forming a soft magnetic layer covering the MR element in an integrated manner at once on both sides of the MR element and on the MR element so as to configure a second shield layer including the soft magnetic layer; and a fifth step of forming an anisotropy application layer on the second shield layer, the anisotropy application layer providing exchange anisotropy to the soft magnetic layer so as to magnetize the soft magnetic layer in a predetermined direction. | 09-27-2012 |
20120250189 | MAGNETIC HEAD INCLUDING SIDE SHIELD LAYERS ON BOTH SIDES OF A MR ELEMENT - A magnetic head that reads information of a magnetic recording medium is provided. The magnetic head according to one embodiment includes: an MR element, formed with multilayer films, of which an electrical resistance changes according to an external magnetic field; a first shield layer that is disposed on a lower side in an lamination direction of the MR element; a second shield layer that is disposed on an upper side in the lamination direction of the MR element, and that applies voltage to the MR element together with the first shield layer; and side shield layers that are disposed on both sides of the MR element in a truck width direction. The side shield layers include soft magnetic layers and hard magnetic layers magnetized in a predetermined direction. | 10-04-2012 |
20140268405 | CPP-TYPE MAGNETORESISTANCE EFFECT ELEMENT AND MAGNETIC DISK DEVICE - A magnetoresistive effect element that prevents a recording medium from deteriorating by effectively inhibiting erroneous writing to a medium or the like includes a magnetoresistive effect part, and an upper shield layer and a lower shield layer that are laminated and formed in a manner sandwiching the magnetoresistive effect part from above and below, and is in a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) structure in which a sense current is applied in a lamination direction. The magnetoresistive effect part includes a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer that sandwich the nonmagnetic intermediate layer from above and below, the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer have inclined magnetization structures in which magnetizations of them are respectively inclined with respect to a track width direction, the magnetizations of the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer are mutually substantially orthogonal, the first ferromagnetic layer is indirectly magnetically coupled with the upper shield layer via a first exchange coupling function gap layer that is positioned between the first ferromagnetic layer and the upper shield layer, and the second ferromagnetic layer is indirectly magnetically coupled with the lower shield layer via a second exchange coupling function gap layer that is positioned between the second ferromagnetic layer and the lower shield layer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293473 | THIN FILM MAGNETIC HEAD WITH SIDE LAYERS UNDER COMPRESSION STRESS - A thin film magnetic head includes a spin valve film that includes a magnetization free layer, a magnetization pinned layer and a non-magnetic spacer layer that is disposed between the magnetization free and pinned layers, and a pair of side layers that are disposed at both sides of the spin valve film in a track width direction and at least in the vicinity of the magnetization free layer and the magnetization pinned layer. Each of the side layers has a bias magnetic field application layer that includes a soft magnetic layer and applies a bias magnetic field in the track width direction to the magnetization free layer, and a gap layer that is positioned between the spin valve film and the bias magnetic field application layer, and the side layers have compression stresses at least in the vicinity of the magnetization pinned layer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293475 | CPP-TYPE MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT INCLUDING A REAR BIAS STRUCTURE AND LOWER SHIELDS WITH INCLINED MAGNETIZATIONS - An MR element suppressing a false writing into a medium with an MR part has a CPP structure. The MR part includes a nonmagnetic intermediate layer and first and second ferromagnetic layers so as to interpose the nonmagnetic intermediate layer. First and second shield layers respectively have an inclining magnetization structure of which a magnetization is inclined with regard to a track width direction. The first and second ferromagnetic layers are respectively, magnetically coupled with the first and second shield layers. A magnetization direction adjustment layer for adjusting at least a magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer is positioned at a rear end surface side of the first ferromagnetic layer, which is opposite to a front end surface receiving a magnetic field detected in the MR part. | 10-02-2014 |