An improved and novel device and fabrication method for a magnetic element, and
more particularly a magnetic element (10) including a first electrode (14),
a second electrode (18) and a spacer layer (16). The first electrode
(14) and the second electrode (18) include ferromagnetic layers (26
& 28). A spacer layer (16) is located between the ferromagnetic
layer (26) of the first electrode (14) and the ferromagnetic layer
(28) of the second electrode (16) for permitting tunneling current
in a direction generally perpendicular to the ferromagnetic layers (26 &
28). The device includes insulative veils (34) characterized as electrically
isolating the first electrode (14) and the second electrode (18),
the insulative veils (34) including non-magnetic and insulating dielectric
properties. Additionally disclosed is a method of fabricating the magnetic element
(10) with insulative veils (34) that have been transformed from having
conductive properties to insulative properties through oxygen plasma ashing techniques.
