Method of producing exchange coupling film and method of producing magnetoresistive sensor by using the exchange coupling film

摘要

An exchange coupling film includes a first antiferromagnetic layer formed on a pinned magnetic layer, and a second antiferromagnetic layer formed thereon. A composition ratio of an element X in the first antiferromagnetic layer is larger than that of the second antiferromagnetic layer. Preferably, a non-aligned state is created at an interface between the first antiferromagnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer, whereby a large exchange coupling magnetic field is obtained upon heat-treatment.