Tunnel valve sensor having a pinned layer structure with an iron oxide (Fe3O4) layer

摘要

In a tunnel junction sensor a free layer structure has a cobalt iron (Co90Fe10) layer and a half metallic iron oxide (Fe3O4) layer and a pinned layer structure has a cobalt iron (Co50Fe50) layer and a half metallic iron oxide (Fe3O4) layer. Each of the iron oxide layers interfaces a barrier layer which is compatible therewith. The thicknesses of the iron oxide (Fe3O4) layers are less than the thicknesses of the other layers of the free and pinned layer structures.