PRODUCTION OF SPIN VALVE TYPE THIN-FILM ELEMENT AND PRODUCTION OF THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD USING THE SPIN VALVE TYPE THIN-FILM ELEMENT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process for producing a spin valve type thin-film element which is capable of stably maintaining the magnetization of fixed magnetic layers divided to two layers in a counter parallel state by adequacy controlling the magnetic moment of two layers of these fixed magnetic layers and the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field to be impressed during heat treatment and is capable of obtainingΔMR as high as heretofore and a process for producing a thin-film magnetic head using the spin valve type thin-film element. SOLUTION: The magnetic moment of the first fixed magnetic layer 12 is made smaller than the magnetic moment of the second fixed magnetic layer 14. In such a case, the magnetic field of 100 to 1000 Oe is impressed in a direction reverse from a direction where the magnetization of the first fixed magnetic layer is desired to be obtained or of >=5 kOe in a direction where the magnetization is desired to be obtained. As a result, the magnetization of the first fixed magnetic layer 12 and the second fixed magnetic layer 14 may be maintained in the counter parallel state.