Abstract: A process for fabricating a patterned medium including a dot-forming step for forming a dot array constituted by sample magnetic dots having a predetermined size such as a single domain particle size determined theoretically from the magnetic metal thin for a sample medium having a magnetic metal film formed with the initial conditions; a demagnetization step for AC-demagnetizing the dot array; a ratio measurement step for measuring the ratio of single magnetic domains by observing the magnetic pattern of each of the sample dots after the AC-demagnetization; and an adjustment step for determining conditions of the sputtering apparatus for forming a solid state magnetic metal thin film by adjusting the film-forming conditions such that the ratio of the single magnetic domains equals to or exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A patterned medium on which, after forming a magnetic metal thin film as a recording layer, magnetic dots arranged in an array are formed by micro-fabricating the magnetic metal thin film, comprises the magnetic dots formed by micro-fabricating a solid state magnetic metal thin film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a magnetoresistive head formed by laminating a magnetic layer and a nonmagnetic metal layer including a silver film and used for converting change in magnetic field into change of resistivity of the device. A method of fabricating a magnetoresistive head upon laminating on a substrate a plurality of magnetic layers arranged to put nonmagnetic metal layer therebetween and a bias magnetic layer formed adjacent to one of the magnetic layers to give a magnetization of the specified direction to the magnetic layer, comprising the steps of setting film thicknesses of the nonmagnetic metal layers to be formed, and forming the nonmagnetic metal layers under a condition where temperature of the substrate is held within a temperature range less than an upper limit of a film forming temperature not to cause pin holes in the nonmagnetic metal layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head in which an antiferromagnetic material having superior corrosion resistance is used is disclosed. In the magnetoresistive head, a pair of anti-ferromagnetic layers 24a and 24b are formed while contacting with a soft magnetic layer 23, and the antiferromagnetic layers 24a and 24b are made of a PdMn film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetoresistive head having a spin valve MR film for use in a magnetic sensor, a magnetic head or the like. Of two ferromagnetic layers divided by a nonmagnetic metal film, at least ferromagnetic layer on the side being in contact with an antiferromagnetic layer is formed by a cobalt-nickel-iron alloy including at the rate of 5 to 40 atoms % of a nickel and 30 to 95 atoms % of cobalt.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head in which an antiferromagnetic material having superior corrosion resistance is used is disclosed. In the magnetoresistive head, a pair of anti-ferromagnetic layers 24a and 24b are formed while contacting with a soft magnetic layer 23, and the antiferromagnetic layers 24a and 24b are made of a PdMn film.