EXCHANGE-COUPLED FILM, MAGNETORESISTIVE ELEMENT INCLUDING THE SAME, AND MAGNETIC SENSING DEVICE

Abstract

An exchange-coupled film includes an antiferromagnetic layer, pinned magnetic layer, and free magnetic layer which are stacked. The antiferromagnetic layer is composed of a PtCr sublayer and an XMn sublayer (where X is Pt or Ir). The XMn sublayer is in contact with the pinned magnetic layer.

Claims

1. An exchange-coupled film comprising an antiferromagnetic layer composed of a PtCr sublayer and an XMn sublayer (where X is Pt or Ir); and a pinned magnetic layer, the antiferromagnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer being stacked, wherein the XMn sublayer of the antiferromagnetic layer is in contact with the pinned magnetic layer.

2. The exchange-coupled film according to claim 1, wherein the pinned magnetic layer is a self-pinned layer including a first magnetic sublayer, intermediate sublayer, and second magnetic sublayer which are stacked.

3. The exchange-coupled film according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the PtCr sublayer is greater than the thickness of the XMn sublayer.

4. The exchange-coupled film according to claim 3, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the PtCr sublayer to the thickness of the XMn sublayer is 5:1 to 100:1.

5. The exchange-coupled film according to claim 1, wherein the PtCr sublayer has a composition represented by the formula Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (X is 45 at % to 62 at %).

6. The exchange-coupled film according to claim 1, wherein the PtCr sublayer has a composition represented by the formula Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (X is 50 at % to 57 at %).

7. The exchange-coupled film according to claim 1, further comprising a base layer next to the antiferromagnetic layer, wherein the base layer is made of NiFeCr.

8. A magnetoresistive element comprising the exchange-coupled film according to claim 1 and a free magnetic layer, the exchange-coupled film and the free magnetic layer being stacked.

9. A magnetic sensing device comprising the magnetoresistive element according to claim 8.

10. The magnetic sensing device according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of magnetoresistive elements, placed on a single substrate, identical to the magnetoresistive element according to claim 8, wherein the magnetoresistive elements include those having different pinned magnetization directions.

11. A method for manufacturing the exchange-coupled film according to claim 1, comprising forming the PtCr sublayer by a process for co-sputtering Pt and Cr.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the film configuration of an exchange-coupled film according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the film configuration of an exchange-coupled film according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a magnetic sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing magnetic sensing elements 11 used in the magnetic sensor;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a graph showing RH curves of a magnetic sensing element prepared in Example 1;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a graph showing RH curves of a magnetic sensing element prepared in Example 2;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a graph showing RH curves of a magnetic sensing element prepared in Comparative Example 1;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the Hex of each of exchange-coupled films prepared in Examples 3 to 5;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the Hex of each of exchange-coupled films prepared in Example 6;

[0028] FIGS. 10A to 10C are graphs showing RH curves of a magnetic sensing element prepared in Example 7;

[0029] FIGS. 11A to 11C are graphs showing RH curves of a magnetic sensing element prepared in Example 8;

[0030] FIGS. 12A to 12C are graphs showing RH curves of a magnetic sensing element prepared in Comparative Example 2;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the percentage of Pt contained in PtCr prepared in each of Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 2 and the Hex;

[0032] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the percentage of Pt contained in PtCr prepared in each of Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 3 and the Hex;

[0033] FIG. 15 is an illustration showing the film configuration of an exchange-coupled film prepared in each of Examples 9 to 12 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4; and

[0034] FIG. 16 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of an exchange-coupled film prepared in each of Examples 9 to 12 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 and the Hex.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

[0035] FIG. 1 shows the film configuration of a magnetic sensing element 11 including an exchange-coupled film 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The magnetic sensing element 11 is formed by stacking a base layer 1, an antiferromagnetic layer 2, a pinned magnetic layer 3, an nonmagnetic material layer 4, a free magnetic layer 5, and a protective layer 6 in that order from a surface of a substrate. The antiferromagnetic layer 2 is composed of a PtCr sublayer 2A and an XMn sublayer 2B (where, X is Pt or Ir). The XMn sublayer 2B is in contact with the pinned magnetic layer 3. These layers are formed by, for example, a sputtering process or a CVD process. The base layer 1 and the pinned magnetic layer 3 form the exchange-coupled film 10.

[0037] The magnetic sensing element 11 is a multilayer element using a so-called single spin valve type of giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR effect) and the electrical resistance thereof varies depending on the relative relation between the vector of the pinned magnetization of the pinned magnetic layer 3 and the vector of magnetization that varies depending on the external magnetic field of the free magnetic layer 5.

[0038] The base layer 1 is formed from a NiFeCr alloy (nickel-iron-chromium alloy), Cr, Ta, or the like. In the exchange-coupled film 10, the NiFeCr alloy is preferable for the purpose of increasing the magnetic field (hereinafter also appropriately referred to as the Hex) at which the magnetization of the pinned magnetic layer 3 is reversed.

[0039] The antiferromagnetic layer 2 has a multilayer structure composed of the PtCr sublayer 2A and the XMn sublayer 2B (where, X is Pt or Ir). In order to increase the Hex, the thickness D1 of the PtCr sublayer 2A is preferably greater than the thickness D2 of the XMn sublayer 2B. The ratio of the thickness D1 to the thickness D2 (D1:D2) is preferably 5:1 to 100:1 and more preferably 10:1 to 50:1.

[0040] From the viewpoint of increasing the Hex, the PtCr sublayer 2A preferably has a composition represented by the formula Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (X is 45 at % to 62 at %) and more preferably a composition represented by the formula Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (X is 50 at % to 57 at %). From the same viewpoint, the XMn sublayer 2B is preferably a PtMn sublayer.

[0041] In this embodiment, the antiferromagnetic layer 2 is regularized by annealing, whereby exchange coupling is induced between (at the interface between) the antiferromagnetic layer 2 and the pinned magnetic layer 3. The exchange coupling increases the strong-magnetic field resistance of the pinned magnetic layer 3 to increase the Hex.

[0042] The pinned magnetic layer 3 is formed from a CoFe alloy (cobalt-iron alloy). Increasing the content of Fe in the CoFe alloy increases the coercive force thereof. The pinned magnetic layer 3 is a layer contributing to the spin valve type of giant magnetoresistive effect. A direction in which the pinned magnetization direction P of the pinned magnetic layer 3 extends is the sensitivity axis direction of the magnetic sensing element 11.

[0043] The nonmagnetic material layer 4 can be formed using Cu (copper) or the like.

[0044] The free magnetic layer 5 is not limited in material or structure. The free magnetic layer 5 can be formed using, for example, material such as a CoFe alloy (cobalt-iron alloy) or a NiFe alloy (nickel-iron alloy) in the form of a single-layer structure, a multilayer structure, or a multilayered ferrimagnetic structure.

[0045] The protective layer 6 can be formed using Ta (tantalum).

Second Embodiment

[0046] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the film configuration of a magnetic sensing element 21 including an exchange-coupled film 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, layers having the same function as that of the magnetic sensing element 11 shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

[0047] In the magnetic sensing element 21, the exchange-coupled film 20 is composed of a pinned magnetic layer 3 with a self-pinned structure and an antiferromagnetic layer 2 joined thereto. The magnetic sensing element 21 differs from the magnetic sensing element 11 shown in FIG. 1 in that a nonmagnetic material layer 4 and a free magnetic layer 5 are placed under the pinned magnetic layer 3.

[0048] The magnetic sensing element 21 is also a multilayer element using a so-called single spin valve type of giant magnetoresistive effect. The electrical resistance thereof varies depending on the relative relation between the vector of the pinned magnetization of a first magnetic sublayer 3A of the pinned magnetic layer 3 and the vector of magnetization that varies depending on the external magnetic field of the free magnetic layer 5.

[0049] The pinned magnetic layer 3 has a self-pinned structure composed of the first magnetic sublayer 3A, a second magnetic sublayer 3C, and a nonmagnetic intermediate sublayer 3B located between these two sublayers. The pinned magnetization direction P1 of the first magnetic sublayer 3A is antiparallel to the pinned magnetization direction P2 of the second magnetic sublayer 3C because of interaction. The first magnetic sublayer 3A is next to the nonmagnetic material layer 4 and the pinned magnetization direction P1 of the first magnetic sublayer 3A is the pinned magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3. A direction in which the pinned magnetization direction P1 extends is the sensitivity axis direction of the magnetic sensing element 21.

[0050] The first magnetic sublayer 3A and the second magnetic sublayer 3C are formed from an FeCo alloy (iron-cobalt alloy). Increasing the content of Fe in the FeCo alloy increases the coercive force thereof. The first magnetic sublayer 3A, which is next to the nonmagnetic material layer 4, is a layer contributing to the spin valve type of giant magnetoresistive effect.

[0051] The nonmagnetic intermediate sublayer 3B is formed from Ru (ruthenium) or the like. The nonmagnetic intermediate sublayer 3B, which is made of Ru, preferably has a thickness of 3 to 5 or 8 to 10 .

Configuration of Magnetic Sensor

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a magnetic sensor (magnetic sensing device) 30 including a plurality of magnetic sensing elements identical to the magnetic sensing element 11 shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, the magnetic sensing elements are different in pinned magnetization direction P (refer to FIG. 1) and are given different reference numerals 11Xa, 11Xb, 11Ya, and 11Yb for discrimination purposes. In the magnetic sensor 30, the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa, 11Xb, 11Ya, and 11Yb are placed on a single substrate.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic sensor 30 includes a full bridge circuit 32X and a full bridge circuit 32Y. The full bridge circuit 32X includes the two magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and the two magnetic sensing elements 11Xb. The full bridge circuit 32Y includes the two magnetic sensing elements 11Ya and two magnetic sensing elements 11Yb. The magnetic sensing elements 11Xa, 11Xb, 11Ya, and 11Yb have the film structure of the exchange-coupled film 10 of the magnetic sensing element 11 shown in FIG. 1. These are hereinafter appropriately referred to as the magnetic sensing elements 11 unless these are discriminated.

[0055] The full bridge circuit 32X and the full bridge circuit 32Y include the magnetic sensing elements 11 having different pinned magnetization directions indicated by arrows as shown in FIG. 3 for the purpose of allowing detected magnetic field directions to differ and have the same mechanism for detecting a magnetic field. A mechanism for detecting a magnetic field using the full bridge circuit 32X is described below.

[0056] The full bridge circuit 32X is composed of a first series section 32Xa and second series section 32Xb connected in series to each other. The first series section 32Xa is composed of the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb connected in series to each other. The second series section 32Xb is composed of the magnetic sensing elements 11Xb and 11Xa connected in series to each other.

[0057] A power-supply voltage Vdd is applied to a power-supply terminal 33 common to the magnetic sensing element 11Xa included in the first series section 32Xa and the magnetic sensing element 11Xb included in the second series section 32Xb. A ground terminal 34 common to the magnetic sensing element 11Xb included in the first series section 32Xa and the magnetic sensing element 11Xa included in the second series section 32Xb is set to the ground potential GND.

[0058] The differential output (OutX1)(OutX2) between the output potential (OutX1) of the midpoint 35Xa of the first series section 32Xa and the output potential (OutX2) of the midpoint 35Xb of the second series section 32Xb is obtained as a detection output (detection output voltage) VXs in an X-direction.

[0059] The full bridge circuit 32Y works similarly to the full bridge circuit 32X and therefore the differential output (OutY1)(OutY2) between the output potential (OutY1) of the midpoint 35Ya of a first series section 32Ya included in the full bridge circuit 32Y and the output potential (OutY2) of the midpoint 35Yb of a second series section 32Yb included in the full bridge circuit 32Y is obtained as a detection output (detection output voltage) VYs in a Y-direction.

[0060] As indicated by arrows in FIG. 3, the sensitivity axis direction of each of the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb forming the full bridge circuit 32X is perpendicular to the sensitivity axis direction of each of the magnetic sensing elements 11Ya and 11Yb forming the full bridge circuit 32Y.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, in the magnetic sensor 30, the orientation of the free magnetic layer 5 of each magnetic sensing element 11 varies so as to follow the direction of an external magnetic field H. In this event, the resistance varies depending on the vector relationship between the pinned magnetization direction P of the pinned magnetic layer 3 and the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5.

[0062] Supposing that, for example, the external magnetic field H acts in a direction shown in FIG. 3. The magnetic sensing element 11Xa included in the full bridge circuit 32X exhibits a reduced electrical resistance because the sensitivity axis direction coincides with the direction of the external magnetic field H. However, the magnetic sensing element 11Xb exhibits an increased electrical resistance because the sensitivity axis direction is opposite to the direction of the external magnetic field H. The change of the electrical resistance allows the detection output voltage VXs=(OutX1)(OutX2) to peak. As the external magnetic field H changes rightward with respect to the plane of FIG. 3, the detection output voltage VXs decreases. As the external magnetic field H changes upward or downward with respect to the plane of FIG. 3, the detection output voltage VXs decreases to zero.

[0063] On the other hand, in the full bridge circuit 32Y, when the external magnetic field H is leftward with respect to the plane of FIG. 3, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 of every magnetic sensing element 11 is perpendicular to the sensitivity axis direction (pinned magnetization direction P) and therefore the magnetic sensing elements 11Ya and 11Xb exhibit the same resistance. Thus, the detection output voltage VYs is zero. When the external magnetic field H acts downward with respect to the plane of FIG. 3, the detection output voltage VYs=(OutY1)(OutY2) of the full bridge circuit 32Y peaks. As the external magnetic field H changes upward with respect to the plane thereof, the detection output voltage VYs decreases.

[0064] As described above, as the direction of the external magnetic field H changes, the detection output voltage VXs of the full bridge circuit 32X and the detection output voltage VYs of the full bridge circuit 32Y vary. Thus, the movement direction and travel distance (relative position) of a detection target can be detected on the basis of the detection output voltages VXs and VYs obtained from the full bridge circuits 32X and 32Y.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows the magnetic sensor 30, which is configured to be capable of detecting a magnetic field in the X-direction and a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction. However, the magnetic sensor 30 may be configured to include the full bridge circuit 32X or the full bridge circuit 32Y only so as to detect a magnetic field in the X-direction or the Y-direction, respectively, only.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows the planar structure of each of the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb. In FIGS. 3 and 4, a BXa-BXb direction is the X-direction. In FIG. 4, (A) and (B) show the pinned magnetization directions P of the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb as indicated by arrows. The pinned magnetization directions P of the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb are the X-direction and are opposite to each other.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb each include stripe-shaped element sections 12. The longitudinal direction of each element section 12 is directed in a BYa-BYb direction. A plurality of the element sections 12 are placed in parallel to each other. Illustrated right end portions of the neighboring element sections 12 are connected to each other with conductive sections 13a. Illustrated left end portions of the neighboring element sections 12 are connected to each other with conductive sections 13b. The conductive sections 13a and 13b are alternately connected to the illustrated right and left end portions of the element sections 12, whereby the element sections 12 are coupled to each other in a so-called meander pattern. In the magnetic sensing elements 11Xa and 11Xb, the conductive section 13a shown in a lower right portion is united with a connection terminal 14a and the conductive section 13b shown in an upper left portion is united with a connection terminal 14b.

[0068] Each element section 12 is composed of a plurality of stacked metal layers (alloy layers). FIG. 1 shows the multilayer structure of the element section 12. The element section 12 may have a multilayer structure shown in FIG. 2.

[0069] In the magnetic sensor 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magnetic sensing element 11 can be replaced with the magnetic sensing element 21, shown in FIG. 2, according to the second embodiment.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0070] A magnetic sensing element 11 (refer to FIG. 1) including an exchange-coupled film 10 having a film configuration below was prepared. In examples, comparative examples, and reference examples below, a parenthesized value is a thickness (). The exchange-coupled film 10 was annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, whereby the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and an antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0071] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [PtCr sublayer 2A: Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % (280)/XMn sublayer 2B: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (20)]/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (30)/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

Example 2

[0072] A magnetic sensing element 11 including an exchange-coupled film 10 having a film configuration below was prepared by changing a PtCr sublayer 2A of an antiferromagnetic layer 2 from Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % (280) prepared in Example 1 to Pt.sub.54 at %-Cr.sub.46 at % (280).

[0073] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [PtCr sublayer 2A: Pt.sub.54 at %-Cr.sub.46 at % (280)/XMn sublayer 2B: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (20)]/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (30)/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

Comparative Example 1

[0074] A magnetic sensing element 11 including an exchange-coupled film 10 having a film configuration below was prepared by changing an antiferromagnetic layer 2 from [PtCr sublayer 2A: Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % (280)/XMn sublayer 2B: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (20)] prepared in Example 1 to Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (300).

[0075] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (300)/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (30)/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

Application of External Magnetic Field

[0076] An external magnetic field H was applied to the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in each of Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example 1 from a direction parallel to the pinned magnetization direction (a P-direction in FIG. 1) of the pinned magnetic layer 3 of the exchange-coupled film 10, whereby the rate (rate of change in resistance) MR (R/R) at which the electrical resistance R was changed by the magnetic field H was determined.

[0077] FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show RH curves of the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in Example 1, RH curves of the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in Example 2, and RH curves of the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in Comparative Example 1, respectively. In each of these figures, the horizontal axis represents the intensity [Oe] of the magnetic field H, the vertical axis represents the rate of change in resistance MR [%], a curve (a curve located on a lower side at H=1,000 [Oe]) marked Inc. represents MR in the case of increasing the magnetic field H, and a curve (a curve located on an upper side at H=1,000 [Oe]) marked Dec. represents MR in the case of reducing the magnetic field H.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, hysteresis appears in the variation curve Inc. of the rate of change in resistance MR [o] in the case of changing the magnetic field to a positive side and the variation curve Dec. of the rate of change in resistance MR [o] in the case of changing the magnetic field to a negative side and the median of the full width at half maximum of each of the variation curve Inc. and the variation curve Dec. substantially coincides with the magnetic field (Hex) at which the magnetization direction of a pinned magnetic layer is reversed.

[0079] It was clear that the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in Example 1 and the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in Example 2 exhibited a higher magnetic field (Hex) as compared to the magnetic sensing element 11 prepared in Comparative Example 1. That is, the magnetic sensing elements 11 including the exchange-coupled films 10 prepared in Examples 1 and 2 can sufficiently measure a magnetic field in a strong-magnetic field environment.

Example 3

[0080] Exchange-coupled films 10 (refer to FIG. 1) having a film configuration below were prepared by varying the thickness D1 of a PtCr sublayer 2A of an antiferromagnetic layer 2 and the thickness D2 of a PtMn sublayer 2B thereof. The exchange-coupled films 10 were annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, whereby the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0081] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [PtCr sublayer 2A: Pt.sub.54 at %-Cr.sub.46 at % (300x)/XMn sublayer 2B: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (x)]/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (30)/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

[0082] For each exchange-coupled film 10 including the PtCr sublayer 2A and PtMn sublayer having a thickness shown in Table 1, the Hex calculated from an RH curve was as described below. Hereinafter, Pt.sub.54 at %-Cr.sub.46 at % is appropriately referred to as 54PtCr, Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % is appropriately referred to as 51PtCr, and Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % is appropriately referred to as PtMn.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Thickness of 54PtCr Thickness of PtMn sublayer sublayer Hex at room temperature D1 [] (300 x) D2 [] (x) Hex [Oe] 300 0 238 298 2 364 296 4 519 294 6 634 292 8 790 290 10 917 288 12 1033 286 14 1149 284 16 1263 282 18 1348 280 20 1430 278 22 1462 276 24 1463 274 26 1466 272 28 1423 270 30 1372 266 34 1034 262 38 842 250 50 721 200 100 620 100 200 724 0 300 590

Example 4

[0083] Exchange-coupled films 10 having a film configuration below were prepared by changing a PtCr sublayer 2A of an antiferromagnetic layer 2 from 54PtCr (280-x) prepared in Example 3 to 51PtCr (280-x). The exchange-coupled films 10 were annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, whereby the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0084] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [PtCr sublayer 2A: Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % (300-x)/XMn sublayer 2B: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (x)]/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (30)/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

[0085] For each exchange-coupled film 10 including the PtCr sublayer 2A and PtMn sublayer having a thickness shown in Table 2, the Hex calculated from an RH curve was as described below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Thickness of 51PtCr Thickness of PtMn Hex at room temperature sublayer D1 [] sublayer D2 [] Hex [Oe] 300 0 111 296 4 298 292 8 522 288 12 717 284 16 893 280 20 1039 276 24 1141 272 28 1113 250 50 610 200 100 523 100 200 663 0 300 590

Example 5

[0086] Exchange-coupled films 10 having the same film configuration as that of Example 4 were prepared and the temperature of annealing was changed from 400 C. of Example 4 to 350 C.

[0087] For each exchange-coupled film 10 including a 51PtCr sublayer and PtMn sublayer having a thickness shown in Table 3, the Hex calculated from an RH curve was as described below.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Thickness of 51PtCr Thickness of PtMn Hex at room temperature sublayer D1 [] sublayer D2 [] Hex [Oe] 300 0 210 296 4 407 292 8 709 288 12 840 284 16 951 280 20 1056 276 24 1064 272 28 1131 250 50 740 200 100 600 100 200 688 0 300 612

[0088] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the Hex of each of the exchange-coupled films 10 prepared in Examples 3 to 5. In this figure, the horizontal axis represents the thickness of a PtMn sublayer (PtMn thickness, []) and the vertical axis represents the Hex [Oe] of an exchange-coupled film. As is clear from FIG. 8 and Tables 1 to 3, using either of 51PtCr and 54PtCr as a PtCr sublayer allows the exchange-coupled films 10 to exhibit a higher Hex as compared to those including an antiferromagnetic layer composed of a PtMn sublayer only.

[0089] From the viewpoint of allowing an exchange-coupled film 10 to have a high Hex, 54PtCr is preferably used as a PtCr sublayer. Even if the annealing temperature is 350 C., an exchange-coupled film 10 having substantially the same Hex as that at 400 C. is obtained. Therefore, from the viewpoint of reducing the annealing temperature, 51PtCr is preferably used as a PtCr sublayer.

Example 6

[0090] Exchange-coupled films 10 having a film configuration below were prepared by changing an XMn sublayer 2B of an antiferromagnetic layer 2 from PtMn prepared in Example 3 to IrMn. The exchange-coupled films 10 were annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, whereby the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0091] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [PtCr sublayer 2A: Pt.sub.54 at %-Cr.sub.46 at % (300-x)/XMn sublayer 2B: Ir.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (x)]/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (30)/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

[0092] For each exchange-coupled film 10 including a PtCr sublayer and IrMn sublayer having a thickness shown in Table 4, the Hex calculated from an RH curve was as described below.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Thickness of PtCr Thickness of IrMn Hex at room temperature sublayer D1 [] sublayer D2 [] Hex [Oe] 300 0 238 298 2 283 296 4 293 294 6 281 292 8 199 290 10 156 280 20 85 260 40 167 0 80 162

[0093] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the Hex of each of the exchange-coupled films 10 prepared in Example 6. In this figure, the horizontal axis represents the thickness of an IrMn sublayer (IrMn thickness []) and the vertical axis represents the Hex [Oe] of an exchange-coupled film. As is clear from FIG. 9 and Table 4, the effect of increasing the Hex of a PtCr sublayer is provided by an antiferromagnetic layer combined with IrMn similarly to a PtMn sublayer.

Example 7

[0094] A magnetic sensing element 21 (refer to FIG. 2) including an exchange-coupled film 20 having a film configuration below was prepared. A parenthesized value is a thickness () The exchange-coupled film 20 was annealed at 350 C. for 5 hours in no magnetic field and was thereby stabilized.

[0095] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (42)/free magnetic layer 5: Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (18)/:Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (14)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (30)/pinned magnetic layer 3 [first magnetic sublayer 3A: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (24)/nonmagnetic intermediate sublayer 3B: Ru (3.6)]/second magnetic sublayer 3C: Fe.sub.60 at %-Co.sub.40 at % (17)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [XMn sublayer: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (20)/Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % (280)]/protective layer 6: Ta (90)

Example 8

[0096] A magnetic sensing element 21 including an exchange-coupled film 20 having a film configuration below was prepared by changing an antiferromagnetic layer 2 from [XMn sublayer: PtMn (20)/51PtCr (280)] prepared in Example 7 to [XMn sublayer: IrMn (4)/51PtCr (296)].

[0097] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (42)/free magnetic layer 5: Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (18)/:Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (14)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (30)/pinned magnetic layer 3 [first magnetic sublayer 3A: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (24)/nonmagnetic intermediate sublayer 3B: Ru (3.6)]/second magnetic sublayer 3C: Fe.sub.60 at %-Co.sub.40 at % (17)/antiferromagnetic layer 2 [XMn sublayer: Ir.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (4)/Pt.sub.51 at %-Cr.sub.49 at % (296)]/protective layer 6: Ta (90)

Comparative Example 2

[0098] A magnetic sensing element 21 including an exchange-coupled film 20 having a film configuration below was prepared by changing an antiferromagnetic layer 2 from [XMn sublayer: PtMn (20)/51PtCr (280)] prepared in Example 7 to PtMn (300).

[0099] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (42)/free magnetic layer 5: Ni.sub.81.5 at %-Fe.sub.18.5 at % (18)/:Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (14)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (30)/pinned magnetic layer 3 [first magnetic sublayer 3A: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (24)/nonmagnetic intermediate sublayer 3B: Ru (3.6)]/second magnetic sublayer 3C: Fe.sub.60 at %-Co.sub.40 at % (17)/antiferromagnetic layer 2: Pt.sub.50 at %-Mn.sub.50 at % (300)/protective layer 6: Ta (90)

Application of External Magnetic Field

[0100] An external magnetic field H was applied to the magnetic sensing element 21 prepared in each of Example 7, Example 8, and Comparative Example 2 from a direction parallel to the pinned magnetization direction (a P1 direction in FIG. 2) of the pinned magnetic layer 3, whereby the rate of change in resistance MR (R/R) was determined.

[0101] FIGS. 10A to 10C, FIGS. 11A to 11C, and FIGS. 12A to 12C show RH curves of the magnetic sensing element 21 prepared in Example 7, RH curves of the magnetic sensing element 21 prepared in Example 8, and RH curves of the magnetic sensing element 21 prepared in Comparative Example 2, respectively. In each of these figures, the horizontal axis represents the intensity [Oe] of the magnetic field H, the vertical axis represents MR (%), a curve marked Inc. represents MR in the case of increasing the magnetic field H, and a curve marked Dec. represents MR in the case of reducing the magnetic field H.

[0102] FIGS. 10A to 10C and FIGS. 11A to 11C show less hysteresis as compared to FIGS. 12A to 12C and show an improvement in a MR reduction process down to +5 kOe. This result shows that an antiferromagnetic layer which is composed of a PtCr sublayer and a PtMn sublayer and in which the PtMn sublayer is in contact with a pinned magnetic layer enhances the stabilization of an exchange-coupled film even when the pinned magnetic layer is a self-pinned layer including a first magnetic sublayer, intermediate sublayer, and second magnetic sublayer which are stacked.

Reference Example 1

[0103] Magnetic sensing elements having a film configuration below were prepared. A parenthesized value is a thickness (). Each exchange-coupled film 10 was annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, whereby the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and an antiferromagnetic layer 2 were pinned.

[0104] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (60)/antiferromagnetic layer 2: Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (300)/pinned magnetic layer 3: Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (50)/nonmagnetic material layer 4: Cu (40)/free magnetic layer 5: [Co.sub.90 at %-Fe.sub.10 at % (15)/81.5NiFe (30)]/protective layer 6: Ta (50)

[0105] By co-sputtering Pt and Cr, Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (300) films having different Pt-to-Cr ratios were prepared.

Reference Example 2

[0106] Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (300) films having different Pt-to-Cr ratios were prepared in substantially the same manner as that used in Reference Example 1 except that Pt and Cr were alternately stacked instead of co-sputtering Pt and Cr.

Reference Example 3

[0107] Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X (300) films having different Pt-to-Cr ratios were prepared in substantially the same manner as that used in Example 1 except that a base layer 1 was changed from NiFeCr (60) prepared in Example 1 to Ta (50).

Sputtering and Alternate Stacking

[0108] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the percentage of Pt contained in PtCr prepared in each of Reference Example 1 (co-sputtering) and Reference Example 2 (alternate stacking) and the Hex. As is clear from this figure, Reference Example 1, in which Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X films were formed by co-sputtering, provides a higher Hex as compared to Reference Example 2, in which Pt.sub.XCr.sub.100 at %-X films were formed by alternate stacking, within the Pt percentage range of 51 at % to 57 at %.

Base Layer

[0109] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the percentage of Pt contained in PtCr prepared in each of Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 3 and the Hex. As is clear from this figure, exchange-coupled films Reference Example 1 (NiFeCr base) exhibits a significantly higher Hex as compared to Reference Example 3 (Ta base) within the Pt percentage range of 51 at % to 57 at %.

Example 9

[0110] In order to investigate the relationship between the temperature and the Hex, an exchange-coupled film 40 having a structure shown in FIG. 15 was prepared.

[0111] Substrate/base layer 1: NiFeCr (42)/antiferromagnetic layer 2/pinned magnetic layer 3: 90CoFe (100)/protective layer 6: Ta (90)

[0112] The exchange-coupled film 40 was formed by setting an antiferromagnetic layer 2 to 51PtCr (280)/PtMn (20) and was annealed at 350 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe such that the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

Comparative Example 3

[0113] An exchange-coupled film 40 was formed by setting an antiferromagnetic layer 2 to 51PtCr (300) and was annealed at 350 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe such that the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0114] Table 5 shows results obtained by measuring the exchange-coupled film 40 prepared in each of Example 9 and Comparative Example 3 for a change in Hex due to a change in temperature. In Tables 5 to 7, Tb represents the temperature at which the Hex vanishes and Hex (200 C. or 300 C.)/Hex (room temperature) represents a normalized value obtained by dividing the Hex at 200 C. or 300 C. by the Hex at room temperature.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Thickness of Thickness 51PtCr of PtMn Hex (200 C.)/ Hex (300 C.)/ sublayer sublayer Tb Hex (room Hex (room D1 [] D2 [] ( C.) temperature) temperature) 300 0 460 0.96 0.66 280 20 >500 0.88 0.75

Example 10

[0115] An exchange-coupled film 40 was formed by setting an antiferromagnetic layer 2 to 51PtCr (280)/PtMn (20) and was annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe such that the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

Comparative Example 4

[0116] An exchange-coupled film 40 was formed by setting an antiferromagnetic layer 2 to PtMn (300) and was annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe such that the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0117] Table 6 shows measurement result of Example 10 and Comparative Example 4.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Thickness Thickness of of PtMn Hex (200 C.)/ Hex (300 C.)/ 51PtCr sublayer sublayer Tb Hex (room Hex (room D1 [] D2 [] ( C.) temperature) temperature) 280 20 >500 0.86 0.76 0 300 400 0.82 0.35

Example 11

[0118] An exchange-coupled film 40 was formed by setting an antiferromagnetic layer 2 to 54PtCr (290)/PtMn (10) and was annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe such that the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

Example 12

[0119] An exchange-coupled film 40 was formed by setting an antiferromagnetic layer 2 to 54PtCr (280)/PtMn (20) and was annealed at 400 C. for 5 hours in a magnetic field of 1 kOe such that the magnetization of each of a pinned magnetic layer 3 and the antiferromagnetic layer 2 was pinned.

[0120] Table 7 shows measurement result of Examples 11 and 12 and Comparative Example 4.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Thickness Thickness of of PtMn Hex (200 C.)/ Hex (300 C.)/ 54PtCr sublayer sublayer Tb Hex (room Hex (room D1 [] D2 [] ( C.) temperature) temperature) 290 10 500 0.98 0.86 280 20 >500 0.91 0.80 0 300 400 0.82 0.35

[0121] FIG. 16 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the exchange-coupled film 40 prepared in each of Examples 9 to 12 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 and the Hex. This graph shows results obtained by measuring the quantity corresponding to the Hex in the RH curve of each of FIGS. 5 to 7 using a VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer).

[0122] As shown in FIG. 16 and Tables 5 to 7, an exchange-coupled film 40 including an antiferromagnetic layer 2 including a PtMn sublayer and a PtCr sublayer inserted therein exhibited higher Tb as compared to an exchange-coupled film including an antiferromagnetic layer 2 made of PtMn only and also exhibited high stability under high-temperature conditions for maintaining high Hex.