Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetic recording layer which records information as a magnetization direction changes upon supplying a bidirectional current in an out-of-plane direction, a magnetic reference layer which has a fixed magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic layer which is provided between the magnetic recording layer and the magnetic reference layer. The magnetic recording layer includes an interface magnetic layer which is provided in contact with the nonmagnetic layer and has a first magnetic anisotropy energy, and a magnetic stabilizing layer which has a second magnetic anisotropy energy higher than the first magnetic anisotropy energy.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element which records information by supplying spin-polarized electrons to a magnetic material, includes a first pinned layer which is made of a magnetic material and has a first magnetization directed in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, a free layer which is made of a magnetic material and has a second magnetization directed in the direction perpendicular to the film surface, the direction of the second magnetization reversing by the spin-polarized electrons, and a first nonmagnetic layer which is provided between the first pinned layer and the free layer. A saturation magnetization Ms of the free layer satisfies a relationship 0?Ms<?{square root over ( )}{Jw/(6nAt)}. Jw is a write current density, t is a thickness of the free layer, A is a constant.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a magnetoresistance effect element, and a first write interconnection which is arranged under the magnetoresistance effect element and has a first interconnection layer and a first yoke layer, the first interconnection layer having a portion projecting toward the magnetoresistance effect element, and the first yoke layer including a first, a second, and third regions. And the device includes a second write interconnection which is arranged above the magnetoresistance effect element and has a second interconnection layer and a second yoke layer, the second interconnection layer having a portion projecting toward the magnetoresistance effect element, and the second yoke layer including a fourth, a fifth, and sixth regions.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film having a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer. A magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer is substantially fixed in an external magnetic field, a magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer is configured to change in the external magnetic field, and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer and has a stacked structure of a first non-metallic intermediate layer/a metal intermediate layer/a second non-metallic intermediate layer. The magnetoresistive element also includes a pair of electrodes coupled to the magnetoresistive film and is configured to provide a current in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the magnetoresistive film.

Abstract: An MTJ element has two magnetic layers and a nonmagnetic layer. The resistance of the MTJ element, which varies depending on whether the two magnetic layers are magnetized parallel or antiparallel. In an MRAM adapted to write data into the MTJ element by causing a write wiring to generate induced magnetic flux and consequently changing the direction of magnetization of the recording layer, the MTJ element is a perpendicular MTJ element in which each of the two magnetic layers is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to its plane. The write wiring is placed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the MTJ element and applies a generated magnetic field to the magnetic layers of the MTJ element in the direction in which they are magnetized. Magnetic yokes hold the MTJ element in the direction of its thickness.

Abstract: In a CPP element using a metal intermediate layer excellent in shot noise and response to high frequencies unlike a TMR element, its magnetoresistive effect film includes a magnetic layer mainly made of a half-metal exhibiting ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism or antiferromagnetism, and largely variable in way of conduction in response to spin direction of electrons.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a first magnetic layer which includes a first surface and a second surface and has a first standard electrode potential, a second magnetic layer, a barrier layer which is provided between the second magnetic layer and the first surface of the first magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic cap layer which contacts the second surface of the first magnetic layer and is formed from an alloy of a first metal material and a second metal material, the first metal material having a second standard electrode potential lower than the first standard electrode potential, the second metal material having a third standard electrode potential higher than the first standard electrode potential.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises a magnetoresistance effect film including a magnetically pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned substantially in one direction, a magnetically free layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer located between the pinned layer and the free layer, and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to said magnetoresistance effect film to supply a sense current perpendicularly to a film plane of said magnetoresistance effect film. The intermediate layer has a first layer including a first region whose resistance is relatively high and second regions whose resistance is relatively low. The sense current preferentially flows through the second regions when the current passes the first layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises a magnetoresistance effect film including a magnetically pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned substantially in one direction, a magnetically free layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer located between the pinned layer and the free layer; and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to said magnetoresistance effect film to supply a sense current perpendicularly to a film plane of said magnetoresistance effect film. The intermediate layer has a first layer including a first region whose resistance is relatively high and second regions whose resistance is relatively low. The sense current preferentially flows through the second regions when the current passes the first layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head, a magnetic reproducing head, a magnetic recording apparatus comprising the magnetic recording head, and a magnetic reproducing apparatus comprising the magnetic reproducing head are described. The magnetic reproducing head having a magnetic gap at a medium-facing surface and includes a pair of magnetic yokes of ferromagnetic material, a magnetoresistance effect film, and a pair of biasing films. One of the pair of magnetic yokes has a magnetic tip at the medium-facing surface and also a rear portion recessed from the medium-facing surface and magnetically coupled to the magnetic tip. The magnetic tip has a first width in a track width direction at the medium-facing surface, and the rear portion has a second width in the track width direction wider than the first width. The magnetoresistance effect film is recessed from the medium-facing surface and is magnetically coupled to the pair of magnetic yokes of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element has a magnetoresistive film and a pair of electrodes adapted to flow a sense current in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the magnetoresistive film. The magnetoresistive film includes first and second magnetization free layers and first to fourth magnetization pinned layers with nonmagnetic intermediate layers interposed therebetween. The second magnetization pinned layer and the third magnetization pinned layer are formed between the second nonmagnetic intermediate layer and the third nonmagnetic intermediate layer. The directions of magnetization of the first and second magnetization pinned layers are substantially parallel to each other. The directions of magnetization of the third and fourth magnetization pinned layers are substantially parallel to each other. Further, the direction of magnetization of the second magnetization pinned layer is substantially antiparallel to the direction of magnetization of the third magnetization pinned layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises a magnetoresistance effect film including a magnetically pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned substantially in one direction, a magnetically free layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer located between the pinned layer and the free layer; and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to said magnetoresistance effect film to supply a sense current perpendicularly to a film plane of said magnetoresistance effect film, The intermediate layer has a first layer including a first region whose resistance is relatively high and second regions whose resistance is relatively low. The sense current preferentially flows through the second regions when the current passes the first layer.

Abstract: There is provided a practical magnetoresistance effect element which has an appropriate value of resistance, which can be sensitized and which has a small number of magnetic layers to be controlled, and a magnetic head and magnetic recording and/or reproducing system using the same. In a magnetoresistance effect element wherein a sense current is caused to flow in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film, a resistance regulating layer is provided in at least one of a pinned layer, a free layer and an non-magnetic intermediate layer. The resistance regulating layer contains, as a principal component, an oxide, a nitride, a fluoride, a carbide or a boride. The resistance regulating layer may be a continuous film or may have pin holes. Thus, it is possible to provide a practical magnetoresistance effect element which has an appropriate value of resistance, which can be sensitized and which has a small number of magnetic layers, while effectively utilizing the scattering effect depending on spin.

Abstract: In a spin valve type element, an interface insertion layer (32, 34) of a material exhibiting large spin-dependent interface scattering is inserted in a location of a magnetically pinned layer (16) or a magnetically free layer (20) closer to a nonmagnetic intermediate layer (18). A nonmagnetic back layer (36) may be additionally inserted as an interface not in contact with the nonmagnetic intermediate layer to increase the output by making use of spin-dependent interface scattering along the interface between the pinned layer and the nonmagnetic back layer or between the free layer and the nonmagnetic back layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element comprises a magnetoresistance effect film including a magnetically pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned substantially in one direction, a magnetically free layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer located between the pinned layer and the free layer; and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to said magnetoresistance effect film to supply a sense current perpendicularly to a film plane of said magnetoresistance effect film. The intermediate layer has a first layer including a first region whose resistance is relatively high and second regions whose resistance is relatively low. The sense current preferentially flows through the second regions when the current passes the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a vegetable article which sustain initial characteristics inherent to a product with the use of vegetable articles such as hygroscopicity, texture, favorable smell and appearance and in which deformation, color change and emission of an unpleasant smell due to laundry or water washing are inhibited; a product containing the vegetable article; and a process for producing the vegetable article. To achieve this object, the following constitution is employed. Namely, a vegetable article has been subjected to a crosslinking treatment by using a crosslinking agent so as to inhibit worsening in the initial characteristics such as moisture content, bulk density and lightness. A product contains the above vegetable article. A process for producing the vegetable article characterized in that a crosslinking reaction with the use of a crosslinking agent is carried out to inhibit worsening in the initial characteristics of the vegetable article.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a magnetoresistance effect element, and a first write interconnection which is arranged under the magnetoresistance effect element and has a first interconnection layer and a first yoke layer, the first interconnection layer having a portion projecting toward the magnetoresistance effect element, and the first yoke layer including a first, a second, and third regions. And the device includes a second write interconnection which is arranged above the magnetoresistance effect element and has a second interconnection layer and a second yoke layer, the second interconnection layer having a portion projecting toward the magnetoresistance effect element, and the second yoke layer including a fourth, a fifth, and sixth regions.

Abstract: A magnetic random access memory concerning an example of the present invention comprises a magneto resistive element, a first insulating layer which covers side surfaces of the magneto resistive element, a second insulating layer which is arranged on the first insulating layer and has a first groove on the magneto resistive element, a write line which fills the first groove and is connected with the magneto resistive element, and a third insulating layer which is arranged between the first and second insulating layers except a bottom portion of the first groove and has an etching selection ratio with respect to at least the first and second insulating layers.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head has a magnetoresistive film including first and second magnetization free layers, an intermediate layer-sandwiched between the first and second magnetization free layers, an underlayer and a protective layer, which are stacked in the order of the underlayer, the first magnetization free layer, the intermediate layer, the second magnetization free layer and the protective layer and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the air-bearing surface, and a first electrode connected with the underlayer and a second electrode connected with the protective layer, the electrodes allowing a current to flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. Each magnetization direction of the first and second magnetization free layers is allowed to vary independently in response to a signal magnetic flux from a medium. The first and second magnetization free layers produce a magnetoresistance effect in accordance with the magnetization directions thereof.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head has a magnetoresistive film including first and second magnetization free layers, an intermediate layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetization free layers, an underlayer and a protective layer, which are stacked in the order of the underlayer, the first magnetization free layer, the intermediate layer, the second magnetization free layer and the protective layer and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the air-bearing surface, and a first electrode connected with the underlayer and a second electrode connected with the protective layer, the electrodes allowing a current to flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. Each magnetization direction of the first and second magnetization free layers is allowed to vary independently in response to a signal magnetic flux from a medium. The first and second magnetization free layers produce a magnetoresistance effect in accordance with the magnetization directions thereof.