Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect device of the invention includes: a substrate; and a multilayer structure formed on the substrate. The multilayer structure includes a hard magnetic film, a soft magnetic film, and a non-magnetic metal film for separating the hard magnetic film from the soft magnetic film. The magnetization curve of the hard magnetic film has a good square feature, and the direction of a magnetization easy axis of the hard magnetic film substantially agrees to the direction of a magnetic field to be detected.

Abstract: An exchange coupling film of the present invention includes a substrate and a multilayer film. The multilayer film includes: a ferromagnetic layer and a magnetization rotation suppressing layer provided adjacent to the ferromagnetic layer for suppressing a magnetization rotation of the ferromagnetic layer; and the magnetization rotation suppressing layer includes an Fe—M—O layer (where M=Al, Ti, Co, Mn, Cr, Ni or V).

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device of the present invention includes: a soft magnetic layer; a hard magnetic layer; a non-magnetic layer formed between the soft magnetic layer and the hard magnetic layer; and an interface magnetic layer, provided at an interface between the soft magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer, for enhancing magnetic scattering, wherein the soft magnetic layer includes an amorphous structure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect device of the invention includes: a substrate; and a multilayer structure formed on the substrate. The multilayer structure includes a hard magnetic film, a soft magnetic film, and a non-magnetic metal film for separating the hard magnetic film from the soft magnetic film. The magnetization curve of the hard magnetic film has a good square feature, and the direction of a magnetization easy axis of the hard magnetic film substantially agrees to the direction of a magnetic field to be detected.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes an upper shield section, a lower shield section and a magnetoresistance device section between the upper shield section and the lower shield section. The magnetoresistance device section is connected to the upper shield section and the lower shield section through conductive layers. Current flows through the magnetoresistance device section via the upper shield and the lower shield.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device of the present invention includes: a soft magnetic layer; a hard magnetic layer; a non-magnetic layer formed between the soft magnetic layer and the hard magnetic layer; and an interface magnetic layer, provided at an interface between the soft magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer, for enhancing magnetic scattering, wherein the soft magnetic layer includes an amorphous structure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect device of the invention includes: a substrate; and a multilayer structure formed on the substrate. The multilayer structure includes a hard magnetic film, a soft magnetic film, and a non-magnetic metal film for separating the hard magnetic film from the soft magnetic film. The magnetization curve of the hard magnetic film has a good square feature, and the direction of a magnetization easy axis of the hard magnetic film substantially agrees to the direction of a magnetic field to be detected.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device of the present invention includes: a soft magnetic layer; a hard magnetic layer; a non-magnetic layer formed between the soft magnetic layer and the hard magnetic layer; and an interface magnetic layer, provided at an interface between the soft magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer, for enhancing magnetic scattering, wherein the soft magnetic layer includes an amorphous structure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect device of the invention includes: a substrate; and a multilayer structure formed on the substrate. The multilayer structure includes a hard magnetic film, a soft magnetic film, and a non-magnetic metal film for separating the hard magnetic film from the soft magnetic film. The magnetization curve of the hard magnetic film has a good square feature, and the direction of a magnetization easy axis of the hard magnetic film substantially agrees to the direction of a magnetic field to be detected.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element having a large magnetoresistive change with a small magnetic field, and a memory element using the same. A semiconductor film to provide a window for excitation light is arranged on a substrate via a buffer layer. Another semiconductor film and a nonmagnetic metallic film (or a nonmagnetic insulating film) are arranged on the semiconductor film successively. A magnetic film having a square magnetization curve is arranged on the nonmagnetic metallic film (or a nonmagnetic insulating film). An electrode is arranged beneath the substrate and another electrode is arranged on the magnetic film. By radiating a laser light beam to the semiconductor film acting as a window, electrons having spin polarization are excited in the semiconductor film so as to utilize the dependency of the scattering of electrons at the surface of the magnetic film on the magnetization orientation of the magnetic film and the spin polarization state of the excited electrons.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium with a back coat layer including polyurethane having a Tg (glass-transition temperature) below room temperature, isocyanate hardener, carbon powder and inorganic abrasive pigment are formed on a face of a non-magnetic substrate opposite a face covered by a magnetic recording film. Using this back coat layer, improved post contact characteristics and the like are obtained and smooth running conditions under small tensions are realized. Further, the magnetic recording medium causes only a small amount of head wear, and the medium has improved wear resistance.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element is provided which comprises a substrate on which a first magnetic layer having a thickness of 0.2 to 5 nm which contains cobalt, a second magnetic layer having a thickness of not larger than 5 nm which contains iron or nickel or an alloy thereof, a third magnetic layer having a thickness of 0.2 to 5 nm which contains cobalt and a nonmagnetic layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 5 nm are laminated in this order at least twice, wherein the thickness of the second magnetic layer is not larger than half of the total thickness of the first and third magnetic layers. The element is useful as a magnetoresistance sensor or head.

Abstract: In the method for making the magnetic recording wherein a first magnetic layer is formed on a substrate and a second magnetic layer is formed on the first magnetic layer, before forming the second magnetic layer, accelerated ions are irradiated onto a surface of the first magnetic layer. Thereby, naturally formed oxidized layer and adhered impurity on the first magnetic layer are removed from the surface of the first magnetic layer by ion etching action by the irradiation of ions, and hence a preferable condition of an interface between the first magnetic layer and subsequently formed second magnetic layer is obtained.

Abstract: The method includes applying ions and electrons from an ion gun onto a polymer film while the polymer film is traveling circumferentially along a peripheral surface of a cylindrical can from a supply location to a take-up location of the polymer film relative to the cylindrical drum. The ions and electrons from the ion gun are applied onto a part of the polymer film while it is moving through a position near the supply location of the polymer film relative to the drum at which the polymer film begins to contact the outer peripheral surface of the drum. At a downstream location relative to the drum, electrons are applied from an electron gun onto the polymer film traveling on the drum surface. At a further downstream location relative to the drum, the thin film is deposited, e.g., by vacuum evaporation, on the polymer film travelling on the drum. This method enables a thin film, having no wrinkles and with a high adhesion strength with respect to the polymer film, to be produced in a stable manner.