Exchange-coupled film and magnetoresistive element and magnetism detection device equipped therewith

摘要

An exchange-coupled film in which a magnetic field (Hex) required for reversing the direction of magnetization of a pinned magnetic layer is high and thus has excellent resistance to strong magnetic fields, is an exchange-coupled film (10) which has an anti-ferromagnetic layer (2 ) and a pinned magnetic layer (3) with a ferromagnetic layer stacked together, the antiferromagnetic layer (2) having a structure with an IrMn layer (2a), a first PtMn layer (2b), a PtCr layer (2c) and a second PtMn layer (2d) stacked in this order, the IrMn layer (2a) being in contact with the pinned magnetic layer (3). The second PtMn layer (2d) preferably has a thickness d4 of more than 0 Å and less than 60 Å in some cases. The PtCr layer (2c) preferably has a thickness d3 of 100 Å or more in some cases. The antiferromagnetic layer (2) preferably has a total thickness (d1 + d2 + d3 + d4) of 200 Å or less in some cases.