Patent · US Expired

Spin valve sensor with dual self-pinned AP pinned layer structures

US6785102B2 · kind B2 · utility

24Cited by
21References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 2002
Grant dateAug 31, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/012
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A spin valve sensor includes a free layer structure which is located between first and second spacer layers and the first and second spacer layers are located between first and second AP pinned layer structures. Each of the AP pinned layer structures has first and second AP pinned layers with the first AP pinned layer of the first AP pinned layer structure interfacing the first spacer layer and the first AP pinned layer of the second AP pinned layer structure interfacing the second spacer layer. The magnetic thickness of each of the first AP pinned layers is either greater or less than the magnetic thickness of either of the second AP pinned layers of the first and second AP pinned layer structures so that a magnetic field oriented perpendicular to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the sensor sets the magnetic moments of the first and second AP pinned layer structures in-phase so that changes in resistances of the sensor upon rotation of a magnetic moment of the free layer structure is additive.

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