Magnetoresistive element using an organic nonmagnetic layer
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorEric L. Granstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetoresistive element has two magnetic layers and a nonmagnetic middle layer having organic molecules disposed between the two magnetic layers. The middle layer is thinner than 5 nm (50 Å). The magnetoresistive element exhibits a magnetoresistive effect as a function of the relative alignment of magnetizations of the first and the second magnetic layers and can be used in a magnetoresistive sensor in the based on GMR or TMR.
Claims26
A magnetoresistive element comprising:
- a first magnetic layer;
- a second magnetic layer;
- and
- a middle layer disposed between the first and the second magnetic layers, wherein the middle layer is thinner than 5 nm (50 Å) and comprises organic molecules, and wherein the magnetoresistive element exhibits a magnetoresistive effect as a function of the relative alignment of magnetizations of the first and the second magnetic layers.
A method of forming a magnetoresistive element, comprising:
- forming a first magnetic layer;
- forming an interim multilayer of organic molecules on top of the first magnetic layer;
- heating the multilayer of organic molecules to remove at least some of the organic molecules in the interim multilayer to form a resultant organic molecular layer having fewer molecular single layers than the interim multilayer;
- and
- forming a second magnetic layer over the resultant organic molecular layer.
A magnetoresistive element comprising:
- a first magnetic layer;
- a second magnetic layer;
- and
- a middle layer disposed between the first and the second magnetic layers, wherein the middle layer is formed by heating an interim multilayer of organic molecules on top of the first magnetic layer.
A method of designing an optimized magnetoresistive element having a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers, the method comprises:
- setting a target property or a combination of target properties of the magnetoresistive element, the target property or the combination of target properties being selected from the group consisting of:
- a bond having a specific range of bond strength between the layer and at least one of the first and second magnetic layers;
- a specific range of thickness of the layer;
- and a specific range of pinhole density;
- selecting a material comprising organic molecules;
- and
- derivatizing the organic molecules such that the derivatized organic molecules, when used to form the layer, demonstrate the target property or the combination of target properties.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.