Magnetoresistive structure having a novel specular and filter layer combination

A magnetoresistive structure comprising;

• a pinned layer;
• a nonmagnetic spacer layer;
• a free layer, the nonmagnetic spacer layer residing between the pinned layer and the free layer;
• a filter layer, the free layer residing between the filter layer and the nonmagnetic spacer layer, the filter layer being electrically conductive;
• a specular layer, the specular layer including a first material and being an insulator;
• a barrier layer, the barrier layer being nonmagnetic, the barrier layer including a second material different material from the first material;
• and
• a capping layer including a third material different from the second material, the barrier layer residing between the specular layer and the capping layer;
• and
• wherein the barrier layer consists essentially of Pt.

A magnetoresistive structure comprising;

• a pinned layer;
• a nonmagnetic spacer layer;
• a free layer, the nonmagnetic spacer layer residing between the pinned layer and the free layer;
• a filter layer, the free layer residing between the filter layer and the nonmagnetic spacer layer, the filter layer including at least one of Cu, Ta, Au, Ag, Pd, Ru, and Rh;
• a specular layer, the specular layer including titanium oxide;
• a barrier layer, the barrier layer including Pt;
• and
• a Ta capping layer, the barrier layer residing between the specular layer and the Ta capping layer.