Shorted magnetoresistive head elements for electrical overstress and electrostatic discharge protection
US5491605A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/3967
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a magnetic read/write transducer, the elements of the magnetoresistive (MR) and inductive heads are shorted together and to the slider substrate to provide a low resistance, conductive path bypassing the MR sensor element and minimizing electrical current through the MR sensor element during discharge of static electric charge. The MR sensor element, the MR conductive leads, the MR magnetic shield elements and inductive pole tips exposed at the slider air bearing surface are shorted together and to the slider substrate by a layer of conductive material, such as tungsten, formed over the slider air bearing surface. The conductive layer shorts the head elements together and to the slider substrate thus protecting the head against ESD/EOS damage during subsequent handling and assembly. The conductive layer is removed by wet etching prior to placing the magnetic head into operation in a magnetic storage system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.