Magnetoresistive element and manufacturing method therefor

A magnetoresistive element comprising:

• a substrate;
• an aluminum-based wiring metal disposed on said substrate;
• a nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film disposed on said substrate such that a portion of said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film overlaps a portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal, said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film being electrically connected to said aluminum-based wiring metal at said overlap, wherein an end portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal at said overlap defines a contact portion between said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal, said end portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal having beveled edges and having a recessed portion defined therein so as to maximize a length of said contact portion
• a barrier film disposed between said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal to protect said aluminum-based wiring metal from nitrogen;
• and
• a surface protection film of nitride that covers said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film.

A magnetoresistive element comprising:

• a substrate;
• an aluminum-based wiring metal disposed on said substrate and having a connection region defined thereon;
• a nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film disposed on said substrate such that a portion of said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film overlaps at least a portion of said connection region of said aluminum-based wiring metal;
• a barrier film disposed between said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal, said barrier film having a consistency such that said barrier film is impermeable to nitrogen, wherein said barrier film is a aluminum-based metal film which covers said connection region;
• and
• a surface protection film of nitride that covers said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film.

A magnetoresistive element comprising:

• a substrate;
• an aluminum-based wiring metal disposed on said substrate and having a connection region defined thereon;
• a nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film disposed on said substrate such that a portion of said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film overlaps at least a portion of said connection region of said aluminum-based wiring metal, wherein said connection region is located at an end portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal at said overlap between said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal, said end portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal having beveled edges and having a recessed portion defined therein so as to maximize a length of said connection region;
• a barrier film disposed between said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal, said barrier film having a consistency such that said barrier film is impermeable to nitrogen;
• and
• a surface protection film of nitride that covers said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film.

A magnetoresistive element comprising:

• a substrate;
• an aluminum-based wiring metal disposed on said substrate;
• a nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film disposed on said substrate;
• a connection conductor which electrically connects said aluminum-based wiring metal to said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and is disposed at a first side of said aluminum-based wiring metal and a first side of said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film, wherein said first side of said aluminum-based wiring metal is a side of said aluminum-based wiring metal proximate to said substrate, and said first side of said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film is a side of said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film proximate to said substrate;
• and
• a surface protection film of nitride that covers said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film.

A magnetoresistive element comprising:

• a substrate;
• an aluminum-based wiring metal disposed on said substrate, an upper surface of said aluminum-based wiring metal including a contacting portion;
• a nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film disposed on said substrate and on said contacting portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal such that said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film is electrically connected to said aluminum-based wiring metal, wherein said contacting portion is located at an end portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal at an overlap between said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal, said end portion of said aluminum-based wiring metal having beveled edges and having a recessed portion defined therein so as to maximize a length of said contacting portion;
• a barrier film interposed said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film and said aluminum-based wiring metal at said contacting portion, said barrier film having a consistency such that said barrier film is impermeable to nitrogen;
• and
• a surface protection film of nitride that covers said nickel-based magnetoresistive element thin film.