Magnetoresistive effect sensor, thin-film magnetic head with the sensor, manufacturing method of magnetoresistive sensor and manufacturing method of thin-film magnetic head

摘要

A MR sensor includes at least one pinned layer, at least one nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer layered with the at least one pinned layer via the at least one nonmagnetic layer. A magnetization direction of the at least one pinned layer is fixed, and a magnetization direction of the free layer is variable depending upon a magnetic field applied to the free layer. A nonmagnetic metal is diffused in at least part of the free layer.