Abstract: A magnetic position detection apparatus includes a substrate, a magnet, a bridge circuit including first through fourth magneto-electric converting elements formed on the substrate, and a detection circuit. A substrate surface is substantially perpendicular to a magnet magnetization direction. The second and third magneto-electric converting elements are, when viewed along the magnet magnetization direction, disposed to be on or in the vicinity of a straight line passing through a center point of a magnetic pole of the magnet and parallel to a straight line perpendicular to both the magnet magnetization direction and the magnetic mobile object. The first and fourth magneto-electric converting elements are disposed so that, when not opposed to the magnetic mobile object, a component of a substrate of a magnetic field to be applied thereto is substantially same as that of a magnetic field to be applied to the second and third magneto-electric converting elements.

Abstract: A magnetic position detecting device includes a magnet; first to fourth magnetoelectric conversion elements formed on a virtual plane; and a flux guide made of a magnetic material. The flux guide includes first and second protrusions provided at a distance from each other in a direction parallel to the virtual plane. A specific portion recessed in a concave shape is provided in the flux guide in a mid-portion between the first and second protrusions. The first and fourth magnetoelectric conversion elements are provided approximately in the mid-portion between the first and second protrusions. The second magnetoelectric conversion element is provided between the first protrusion and the mid-portion.

Abstract: There are provided magnetic storage elements capable of performing a high-reliability write operation by inhibiting erroneous reversal of data of the magnetic storage element put in a semi-selected state, and a magnetic storage device using this. A recording layer having an easy axis and a hard axis overlaps at least one of a first or second conductive layer at the entire region thereof in plan view. First endpoints of a first line segment along the easy axis and maximum in dimension overlapping the recording layer in plan view don't overlap the second conductive layer in plan view. At least one of second endpoints of a pair of endpoints of a second line segment passing through the middle point of the first line segment, orthogonal to the first line segment in plan view, and overlapping the recording layer in plan view doesn't overlap the first conductive layer in plan view.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection device including a magnetic body (magnetic flux guide) provided for adjusting a magnetic field to be applied to a magneto-resistance element. A shape of an on-substrate magnetic body in plan view is a tapered shape on one end portion side and a substantially funnel shape on another end portion side opposite the one end portion, the another end portion being larger in width than the one end portion, and a magneto-resistance element is disposed in front of an output-side end portion. In the on-substrate magnetic body, a contour of a tapered portion is not linear like a funnel, but has a curved shape in which a first curved portion protruding outward with a gentle curvature and a second curved portion protruding inward with a curvature similar to that of the first curved portion are continuously formed.

Abstract: Magnetic memory element includes recording layer changing magnetization direction by external magnetic field, having easy-axis and hard-axis crossing easy-axis, first conductive layer forming magnetic field in direction crossing direction of easy-axis at layout position of recording layer, second conductive layer extending in direction crossing first conductive layer and forming magnetic field in direction crossing direction of hard-axis at layout position of recording layer. Recording layer has at least part between first conductive layer and second conductive layer. Planar-shaped recording layer viewed from direction where first and second conductive layers and recording layer are laminated, has portion located on side and other portion located on other side, with respect to virtual first center line of first conductive layer along direction where first conductive layer extends viewed from lamination direction.

Abstract: A magnetic position detecting device (10) includes a magnet (4); first to fourth magnetoelectric conversion elements (1A to 1D) formed on a virtual plane along a substrate (3); and a flux guide (5) made of a magnetic material. The flux guide (5) includes first and second protrusions (9B, 9A) provided at a distance from each other in the X-axis direction parallel to the virtual plane. As seen in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the virtual plane, a center portion (MP) recessed in a concave shape is provided in the flux guide (5) in a mid-portion between the first and second protrusions. The first and fourth magnetoelectric conversion elements (1A to 1D) are provided approximately in the mid-portion between the first and second protrusions so as to cover a part of the center portion (MP) as seen in the Z-axis direction. The second magnetoelectric conversion element (1B) is provided between the first protrusion (9B) and the center portion (MP) as seen in the Z-axis direction.

Abstract: There are provided magnetic storage elements capable of performing a high-reliability write operation by inhibiting erroneous reversal of data of the magnetic storage element put in a semi-selected state, and a magnetic storage device using this. A recording layer having an easy axis and a hard axis overlaps at least one of a first or second conductive layer at the entire region thereof in plan view. First endpoints of a first line segment along the easy axis and maximum in dimension overlapping the recording layer in plan view don't overlap the second conductive layer in plan view. At least one of second endpoints of a pair of endpoints of a second line segment passing through the middle point of the first line segment, orthogonal to the first line segment in plan view, and overlapping the recording layer in plan view doesn't overlap the first conductive layer in plan view.

Abstract: A magnetic position detection apparatus includes a substrate, a magnet, a bridge circuit including first through fourth magneto-electric converting elements formed on the substrate, and a detection circuit. A substrate surface is substantially perpendicular to a magnet magnetization direction. The second and third magneto-electric converting elements are, when viewed along the magnet magnetization direction, disposed to be on or in the vicinity of a straight line passing through a center point of a magnetic pole of the magnet and parallel to a straight line perpendicular to both the magnet magnetization direction and the magnetic mobile object. The first and fourth magneto-electric converting elements are disposed so that, when not opposed to the magnetic mobile object, a component of a substrate of a magnetic field to be applied thereto is substantially same as that of a magnetic field to be applied to the second and third magneto-electric converting elements.

Abstract: Magnetic memory element includes recording layer changing magnetization direction by external magnetic field, having easy-axis and hard-axis crossing easy-axis, first conductive layer forming magnetic field in direction crossing direction of easy-axis at layout position of recording layer, second conductive layer extending in direction crossing first conductive layer and forming magnetic field in direction crossing direction of hard-axis at layout position of recording layer. Recording layer has at least part between first conductive layer and second conductive layer. Planar-shaped recording layer viewed from direction where first and second conductive layers and recording layer are laminated, has portion located on side and other portion located on other side, with respect to virtual first center line of first conductive layer along direction where first conductive layer extends viewed from lamination direction.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic layers have magnetizations oriented to such directions as to cancel each other, so that the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers is substantially zero. That is, the ferromagnetic layers are exchange-coupled with a nonmagnetic layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming an SAF structure. Since the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers forming the SAF structure is substantially zero, the magnetization of a recording layer is determined by the magnetization of a ferromagnetic layer. Therefore, the ferromagnetic layer is made of a CoFeB alloy having high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, and the ferromagnetic layers are made of a CoFe alloy having a high exchange-coupling force.

Abstract: A magnetic memory element having a layer structure containing a fixing layer (pinned layer: PL) having a magnetization direction fixed unidirectionally, a nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) in contact with the fixing layer (PL), and a memory layer (free layer: FL) having a first surface in contact with the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) and a second surface on the opposite to the first surface, the magnetization direction of the memory layer (FL) having a reversible magnetization direction in response to the current through the layer structure. The entire surface of the first surface of the memory layer (FL) is covered with the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) and in the joint surface of the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) and the fixing layer (PL), the first surface of the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) is exposed in a manner of surrounding the joint surface.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic layers have magnetizations oriented to such directions as to cancel each other, so that the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers is substantially zero. That is, the ferromagnetic layers are exchange-coupled with a nonmagnetic layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming an SAF structure. Since the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers forming the SAF structure is substantially zero, the magnetization of a recording layer is determined by the magnetization of a ferromagnetic layer. Therefore, the ferromagnetic layer is made of a CoFeB alloy having high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, and the ferromagnetic layers are made of a CoFe alloy having a high exchange-coupling force.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus capable of changing the detection range and detection sensitivity as desired for a specific application is disclosed. A magnetoresistance effect element is applied a bias magnetic field and an external magnetic field. The bias magnetic field and the external magnetic field are generated on the same straight line, and therefore the bias magnetic field functions to hamper the external magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistance effect element. Thus, the magnetization of the free layer of the magnetoresistance effect element is suppressed, and the rotational angle of the magnetized vector is reduced. As a result, the characteristic of the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element to the external magnetic field is shifted by an amount equivalent to the bias magnetic field.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic layers have magnetizations oriented to such directions as to cancel each other, so that the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers is substantially zero. That is, the ferromagnetic layers are exchange-coupled with a nonmagnetic layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming an SAF structure. Since the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers forming the SAF structure is substantially zero, the magnetization of a recording layer is determined by the magnetization of a ferromagnetic layer. Therefore, the ferromagnetic layer is made of a CoFeB alloy having high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, and the ferromagnetic layers are made of a CoFe alloy having a high exchange-coupling force.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection device including a magnetic body (magnetic flux guide) provided for adjusting a magnetic field to be applied to a magneto-resistance element. A shape of an on-substrate magnetic body in plan view is a tapered shape on one end portion side and a substantially funnel shape on another end portion side opposite the one end portion, the another end portion being larger in width than the one end portion, and a magneto-resistance element is disposed in front of an output-side end portion. In the on-substrate magnetic body, a contour of a tapered portion is not linear like a funnel, but has a curved shape in which a first curved portion protruding outward with a gentle curvature and a second curved portion protruding inward with a curvature similar to that of the first curved portion are continuously formed.

Abstract: A magnetic field detector includes: a magnet; a detecting magnetic resistance element having a layer structure containing a ferromagnetic layer, the resistance being changed when a direction of magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer is changed; and a reference magnetic resistance element having substantially the same layer structure as that of the detecting magnetic resistance element. A magnetic field, the magnetic intensity of which is higher than the saturation magnetic field, is impressed by the magnet in a direction which is sensed by the ferromagnetic layer of the reference magnetic resistance element.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic layers (18, 22) have magnetizations oriented to such directions as to cancel each other, so that the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers (18, 22) is substantially zero. That is, the ferromagnetic layers (18, 22) are exchange-coupled with a nonmagnetic layer (20) interposed therebetween, thereby forming an SAF structure. Since the net magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers (18, 22) forming the SAF structure is substantially zero, the magnetization of a recording layer (RL) is determined by the magnetization of a ferromagnetic layer (14). Therefore, the ferromagnetic layer (14) is made of a CoFeB alloy having high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, and the ferromagnetic layers (18, 22) are made of a CoFe alloy having a high exchange-coupling force.

Abstract: A magnetic memory element having a layer structure containing a fixing layer (pinned layer: PL) having a magnetization direction fixed unidirectionally, a nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) in contact with the fixing layer (PL), and a memory layer (free layer: FL) having a first surface in contact with the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) and a second surface on the opposite to the first surface, the magnetization direction of the memory layer (FL) having a reversible magnetization direction in response to the current through the layer structure. The entire surface of the first surface of the memory layer (FL) is covered with the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) and in the joint surface of the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) and the fixing layer (PL), the first surface of the nonmagnetic dielectric layer (TN1) is exposed in a manner of surrounding the joint surface.

Abstract: A magnetic field detector having a reference magnetoresistive element and a magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element. The reference magnetoresistive element and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element each has a stack structure including an antiferromagnetic layer, a fixed layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization fixed by the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization adapted to be changed by an external magnetic field. The reference magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are parallel or antiparallel to each other, and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are different from each other.

Abstract: A magnetic field detector having a reference magnetoresistive element and a magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element. The reference magnetoresistive element and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element each has a stack structure including an antiferromagnetic layer, a fixed layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization fixed by the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization adapted to be changed by an external magnetic field. The reference magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are parallel or antiparallel to each other, and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are different from each other.