Patent · US Expired

Method for manufacturing thin-film magnetic head

US6413325B1 · kind B1 · utility

29Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 4, 1999
Grant dateJul 2, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 4, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49034
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head with a SVMR element which includes first and second layers of a ferromagnetic material (free and pinned layers) separated by a layer of non-magnetic electrically conductive material, and a layer of anti-ferromagnetic material formed in physical contact with the pinned layer. The method has a first temperature annealing (pin annealing) step of annealing the SVMR element under application of magnetic field to provide exchange coupling between the pinned layer and the anti-ferromagnetic material layer so that the pinned layer is pinned toward a predetermined direction, and a second temperature annealing (free layer annealing) step of annealing the SVMR element so that axis of easy magnetization of the free layer orients a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The free layer annealing is performed at a temperature lower than 150° C.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.