Abstract: A nonmagnetic material-noncontact layer forming a fixed magnetic layer is formed using CoFe, a nonmagnetic material-contact layer is formed using Co, and an NOL (Nano-Oxide Layer) is provided between the nonmagnetic material-noncontact layer and the nonmagnetic material-contact layer. In addition, the average film thickness of the nonmagnetic material-contact layer is set in the range of 16 to 19 ?. Accordingly, compared to a three-layered structure composed of CoFe, an NOL, and CoFe or a three-layered structure composed of Co, an NOL, and Co, which has been conventionally used, the rate (?R/R) of change in resistance and the unidirectional exchange bias magnetic field (Hex*) can both be improved.

Abstract: A magnetic powder core comprises a molded article of a mixture of a glassy alloy powder and an insulating material. The glassy alloy comprises Fe and at least one element selected from Al, P, C, Si, and B, and has a texture primarily composed of an amorphous phase. The glassy alloy exhibits a temperature difference ?Tx, which is represented by the equation ?Tx=Tx?Tg, of at least 20 K in a supercooled liquid, wherein Tx indicates the crystallization temperature and Tg indicates the glass transition temperature. The magnetic core precursor is produced mixing the glassy alloy powder with the insulating material, compacting the mixture to form a magnetic core precursor, and annealing the magnetic core precursor at a temperature in the range between (Tg?170) K and Tg K to relieve the internal stress of the magnetic core precursor. The glassy alloy exhibits low coercive force and low core loss.

Abstract: A magnetic powder core comprises a molded article of a mixture of a glassy alloy powder and an insulating material. The glassy alloy comprises Fe and at least one element selected from Al, P, C, Si, and B, and has a texture primarily composed of an amorphous phase. The glassy alloy exhibits a temperature difference &Dgr;Tx, which is represented by the equation &Dgr;Tx=Tx−Tg, of at least 20 K in a supercooled liquid, wherein Tx indicates the crystallization temperature and Tg indicates the glass transition temperature. The magnetic core precursor is produced mixing the glassy alloy powder with the insulating material, compacting the mixture to form a magnetic core precursor, and annealing the magnetic core precursor at a temperature in the range between (Tg−170) K and Tg K to relieve the internal stress of the magnetic core precursor. The glassy alloy exhibits low coercive force and low core loss.

Abstract: A magnetic powder core comprises a molded article of a mixture of a glassy alloy powder and an insulating material. The glassy alloy comprises Fe and at least one element selected from Al, P, C, Si, and B, and has a texture primarily composed of an amorphous phase. The glassy alloy exhibits a temperature difference &Dgr;Tx, which is represented by the equation &Dgr;Tx=Tx−Tg, of at least 20 K in a supercooled liquid, wherein Tx indicates the crystallization temperature and Tg indicates the glass transition temperature. The magnetic core precursor is produced mixing the glassy alloy powder with the insulating material, compacting the mixture to form a magnetic core precursor, and annealing the magnetic core precursor at a temperature in the range between (Tg−170) K and Tg K to relieve the internal stress of the magnetic core precursor. The glassy alloy exhibits low coercive force and low core loss.

Abstract: Each of an antiferromagnetic layer and a pinned magnetic layer has a region containing a Cr element, thereby increasing an exchange coupling magnetic field (Hex) produced between the antiferromagnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer. Therefore, the exchange coupling magnetic field produced between the antiferromagnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer can be increased, and a coupling magnetic field due to RKKY interaction can also be increased, thereby increasing a one-directional exchange bias magnetic field (Hex*) in the pinned magnetic layer as compared with a conventional exchange coupling film.

Abstract: A magnetic powder core comprises a molded article of a mixture of a glassy alloy powder and an insulating material. The glassy alloy comprises Fe and at least one element selected from Al, P, C, Si, and B, and has a texture primarily composed of an amorphous phase. The glassy alloy exhibits a temperature difference &Dgr;Tx, which is represented by the equation &Dgr;Tx=Tx−Tg, of at least 20 K in a supercooled liquid, wherein Tx indicates the crystallization temperature and Tg indicates the glass transition temperature. The magnetic core precursor is produced mixing the glassy alloy powder with the insulating material, compacting the mixture to form a magnetic core precursor, and annealing the magnetic core precursor at a temperature in the range between (Tg−170) K and Tg K to relieve the internal stress of the magnetic core precursor. The glassy alloy exhibits low coercive force and low core loss.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance device comprising at least two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer, the coercive force of one of the ferromagnetic layers being enhanced by a coercive force enhancement layer of an antiferromagnetic material disposed adjacent to the one of the ferromagnetic layer thereby pinning magnetization inversion in the one of the ferromagnetic layer, the other ferromagnetic layer serving as a free ferromagnetic layer in which magnetization inversion is allowed, wherein the spin orientation in the coercive force enhancement layer is aligned in a multilayer fashion into a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the coercive force enhancement layer. A method of producing such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic powder core comprises a molded article of a mixture of a glassy alloy powder and an insulating material. The glassy alloy comprises Fe and at least one element selected from Al, P, C, Si, and B, and has a texture primarily composed of an amorphous phase. The glassy alloy exhibits a temperature difference &Dgr;Tx, which is represented by the equation &Dgr;Tx=Tx−Tg, of at least 20 K in a supercooled liquid, wherein Tx indicates the crystallization temperature and Tg indicates the glass transition temperature. The magnetic core precursor is produced mixing the glassy alloy powder with the insulating material, compacting the mixture to form a magnetic core precursor, and annealing the magnetic core precursor at a temperature in the range between (Tg−170) K and Tg K to relieve the internal stress of the magnetic core precursor. The glassy alloy exhibits low coercive force and low core loss.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance device comprising at least two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer, the coercive force of one of the ferromagnetic layers being enhanced by a coercive force enhancement layer of an antiferromagnetic material disposed adjacent to the one of the ferromagnetic layer thereby pinning magnetization inversion in the one of the ferromagnetic layer, the other ferromagnetic layer serving as a free ferromagnetic layer in which magnetization inversion is allowed, wherein the spin orientation in the coercive force enhancement layer is aligned in a multilayer fashion into a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the coercive force enhancement layer. A method of producing such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance device comprising at least two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer, the coercive force of one of the ferromagnetic layers being enhanced by a coercive force enhancement layer of an antiferromagnetic material disposed adjacent to the one of the ferromagnetic layer thereby pinning magnetization inversion in the one of the ferromagnetic layer, the other ferromagnetic layer serving as a free ferromagnetic layer in which magnetization inversion is allowed, wherein the spin orientation in the coercive force enhancement layer is aligned in a multilayer fashion into a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the coercive force enhancement layer. A method of producing such a device is also disclosed.