MAGNETORESISTANCE EFFECT DEVICE, THIN FILM MAGNETIC HEAD, HEAD GIMBAL ASSEMBLY, HEAD ARM ASSEMBLY, AND MAGNETIC DISK DEVICE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to apply a stable bias magnetic field to a magnetism sensing layer by increasing the coercive force of a bias magnetic field application layer for applying to the magnetism sensing layer a bias magnetic field for making the magnetism sensing layer of a magnetoresistance effect element have a single magnetic domain. SOLUTION: An MR element 5 has a free layer 25 in which the direction of magnetization changes according to an external magnetic field. Two bias magnetic field application layers 6 are arranged adjacent to two side surfaces 5a and 5b of the MR element 5. The bias magnetic field application layer 6 has a non magnetic interlayer 62, and a first magnetic layer 61 and a second magnetic layer 63 which are arranged in such a manner that the interlayer 62 is sandwiched between them. The first magnetic layer 61 and the second magnetic layer 63 are antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled by RKKY interaction. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT