1. A magnetoresistance device comprising a substrate, a lower layer formed on the substrate, and a magnetoresistance structure formed on the lower layer,
wherein the lower layer is formed of amorphous ZrxAl1-x (0<x<1) or ZrxAl1-xOy (0<x<1, 0<y<1).
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an upper layer formed on the magnetoresistance structure, the upper layer formed of amorphous ZrxAl1-x (0<x<1) or ZrxAl1-xOy (O<x<1, 0<y<1).
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
a spacer layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer formed of an nonmagnetic material;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the spacer layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
a spacer layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer formed of an nonmagnetic material;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the spacer layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a spacer layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer formed of an nonmagnetic material; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the spacer layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a spacer layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer formed of an nonmagnetic material; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the spacer layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
a tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
8. The device of claim 2, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
a tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
10. The device of claim 2, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
11. A magnetoresistance device comprising a substrate, a magnetoresistance structure formed on the substrate, and an upper layer formed on the magnetoresistance structure,
wherein the upper layer is formed of amorphous ZrxAl1-x (0<x<1) or ZrxAl1-xOy(0<x<1, 0<y<1).
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
a spacer layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer formed of an nonmagnetic material;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the spacer layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a spacer layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, the spacer layer formed of an nonmagnetic material; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the spacer layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
a tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
16. A magnetoresistance device comprising a magnetoresistance structure formed of a fixed layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by a anti-ferromagnetic layer, a free layer of which magnetization direction is varied, and a tunneling barrier layer formed between the fixed layer and the free layer,
wherein the tunneling barrier layer is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of TixAl1-xOy(0<x<1, 0<y<1), and NbxAl1-xOy(0<x<1, 0<y<1).
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
a first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field;
the tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer;
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed; and
a anti-ferromagnetic layer formed on the second ferromagnetic layer, the anti-ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the magnetoresistance structure comprises:
anti-ferromagnetic layer;
a first ferromagnetic layer formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is fixed by the anti-ferromagnetic layer;
the tunneling barrier layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer; and
a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the tunneling barrier layer, the second ferromagnetic layer of which magnetization direction is varied by an applied magnetic field.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of removing manganese from waste liquor at least containing manganese and magnesium, comprising the steps of:
(a) adding a first neutralizing agent to a first mixture of waste liquor and a recycled solution to precipitate a majority of the manganese as manganese-containing solids, without precipitating a substantial amount of the magnesium;
(b) separating the manganese-containing solids to form a manganese-depleted solution;
(c) oxidizing the manganese-depleted solution formed in step (b) in the presence of recycled seed with an oxidizing agent while adjusting the pH with a second neutralizing agent to form an aqueous solution containing manganese precipitate;
(d) transferring the aqueous solution formed in step (c) to a thickener to produce an overflow solution containing a quantity of manganese which is below a predetermined environmental discharge criteria and an underflow solution containing manganese precipitate;
(e) discharging the overflow and underflow solutions from the thickener;
(f) separating the manganese precipitate from the underflow solution;
(g) recycling a portion of the separated manganese precipitate to step (c) as the recycled seed;
(h) dissolving a remaining portion of the separated manganese precipitate to form the recycled solution; and
(i) transferring the recycled solution to step (a).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the neutralizing agent is an alkali or alkaline earth metals compound.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the neutralizing agent is selected from at least one of the group consisting of alkali earth metal compounds, alkaline earth metal compounds, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the neutralizing agent is at least one of lime and limestone.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of step (a) is adjusted with first the neutralizing agent to about 8-8.5.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) is performed in a reactor.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of step (a) is adjusted with the first neutralizing agent to about 8-8.5 in a stepwise manner using a plurality of serially connected reactors.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) is performed with a plurality of reactors.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first neutralizing agent is added to at least one of the reactors.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the waste liquor contains about 2 gL of manganese.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the waste liquor contains about 1-3 gL of manganese.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein less than 1% of magnesium precipitates from the waste liquor.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation step (b) further comprises:
transferring the mixture formed in step (a) to a first circuit thickener to produce the manganese-depleted solution and an underflow stream with the manganese-containing solids; and
discharging the underflow stream to a slurry neutralization circuit andor disposal facility.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the manganese-depleted solution contains less than 500 mgL of manganese.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is selected from at least one of the group consisting of oxygen gas, sulfur dioxide gas and oxygen, oxygen enriched air, sulfur dioxide enriched air and air.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is sulfur dioxide and air.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pH of step (c) is adjusted to above 4.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is air-2 vol % sulfur dioxide gas mixture.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of step (c) is adjusted to between about 5-8.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein, the pH of step (c) is adjusted to about 6.5 and the temperature is adjusted to about 40\xb0 C.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of the step (c) is adjusted to about 1.5-6 in the presence of oxygen.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) is performed in a single reactor.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) is performed in a plurality of serially connected reactors.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second neutralizing agent is added to at least one of the reactors.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises mixing the aqueous solution with a flocculating agent.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises mixing the aqueous solution with a flocculating agent before introducing the aqueous solution to the thickener.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the discharged overflow solution contains less than 1 mgL of manganese.
28. The method of claim 1, wherein the discharged overflow solution contains about 1-5 mgL of manganese.
29. The method of claim 1, wherein the manganese precipitate in step (h) is dissolved with H2SO4 and SO2.
30. A method of removing manganese from waste liquor at least containing manganese and magnesium, comprising the steps of:
(a) adjusting the pH of a first mixture of waste liquor and a recycled solution to about 8-8.5 with a first neutralizing agent to precipitate a majority of the manganese as manganese-containing solids, without precipitating a substantial amount of the magnesium;
(b) removing the manganese-containing solids to form a manganese-depleted solution;
(c) oxidizing the manganese-depleted solution formed in step (b) in the presence of recycled seed with an oxidizing agent while controlling the pH with a second neutralizing agent to form an aqueous solution containing manganese precipitate;
(d) mixing the aqueous solution with a flocculating agent;
(e) transferring the aqueous solution of step (d) to a thickener to produce an overflow solution containing less than 1 mgL of manganese and an underflow solution containing manganese precipitate;
(f) discharging the overflow and underflow solutions from the thickener;
(g) separating the manganese precipitate from the underflow solution;
(h) recycling a portion of the separated manganese precipitate to step (c) as the recycled seed;
(i) dissolving a remaining portion of the separated manganese precipitate to form the recycled solution; and
(j) transferring the recycled solution to step (a), wherein in step (c), the pH is adjusted to about 6.5 and the temperature is adjusted to about 40\xb0 C.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the neutralizing agent is an alkali or alkaline earth metals compound.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein the neutralizing agent is at least one of lime and limestone.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the oxidizing agent is air-2 vol % sulfur dioxide gas mixture.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein the pH of step (a) is adjusted with the first neutralizing agent to about 8-8.5 in a stepwise manner using a plurality of serially connected reactors.
35. The method of claim 30, wherein step (c) is performed in a single reactor or in a plurality of serially connected reactors, wherein if the plurality of serially connected reactors is employed, the second neutralizing agent is added to at least one of the reactors.
36. The method of claim 30, wherein the manganese precipitate in step (i) is dissolved with H2SO4 and SO2.
37. A method of removing manganese from waste liquor at least containing manganese and magnesium, comprising the steps of:
(a) mixing a first neutralizing agent and the waste liquor to adjust the pH to about 8-8.5 and to precipitate a majority of the manganese as manganese-containing solids, without precipitating a substantial amount of the magnesium;
(b) removing the manganese-containing solids to form a manganese-depleted solution;
(c) oxidizing a mixture of the manganese-depleted solution and a separated manganese precipitate with an oxidizing agent while adjusting the pH to above 4 with a second neutralizing agent to form an aqueous solution containing manganese precipitate;
(d) transferring the aqueous solution formed in step (c) and mixed with a flocculating agent to a thickener to produce an overflow solution containing a quantity of manganese which is below a predetermined environmental discharge criteria and an underflow solution containing manganese precipitate;
(e) discharging the overflow and underflow solutions from the thickener;
(f) separating the manganese precipitate from the underflow solution; and
(g) recycling a portion of the separated manganese precipitate to step (c).
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the neutralizing agent is an alkali or alkaline earth metals compound.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein the neutralizing agent is at least one of lime and limestone.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein the oxidizing agent is air-2 vol % sulfur dioxide gas mixture.
41. The method of claim 37, wherein step (c) is performed in a single reactor or in a plurality of reactors connected in series, wherein if the plurality of serially connected reactors is employed, the second neutralizing agent is added to at least one of the reactors.
42. The method of claim 37, wherein the pH in step (a) is adjusted with the first neutralizing agent in a stepwise manner using a plurality of serially connected reactors.
43. A method of selectively decreasing waste liquor Mn concentration to about or less than 1 mgL total Mn while minimizing the precipitation of Mg, comprising:
(a) decreasing waste liquor Mn concentration from about 2 gL to <500 mgL by effecting pH adjustment with a neutralizing agent;
(b) decreasing Mn concentration of pH adjusted waste liquor to less than 1 mgL by effecting oxidative precipitation with a oxidizing agent;
(c) recovering manganese precipitate formed in step b;
(d) recycling a portion of the recovered manganese precipitate to step b;
(e) dissolving a remaining portion of the recovered manganese precipitate; and
(f) recycling the dissolved manganese precipitate to step a.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the neutralizing agent is selected from at least one of the group consisting of alkali or alkaline earth metals compound, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate, lime and limestone.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein the oxidizing agent is air-2 vol % sulfur dioxide gas mixture, oxygen gas, sulfur dioxide gas and oxygen, oxygen enriched air, sulfur dioxide enriched air and air.
46. The method of claim 43, wherein the pH in the second reducing step is adjusted to between about 5-8.
47. The method of claim 43, wherein, the pH in the second reducing step is adjusted to about 6.5 and the temperature is adjusted to about 40\xb0 C.
48. The method of claim 43, wherein the pH in the first reducing step is adjusted to about 8-8.5.
49. The method of claim 43, wherein the precipitation of Mg is less than 1%.