Biased spin valve head with canted adjacent layer and current channeling layer
US7106558B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/3996
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetic read head with reduced side reading characteristics is described. This design combines use of a current channeling layer (CCL) with stabilizing longitudinal bias layers whose magnetization direction is canted relative to that of the free layer easy axis and that of the pinned layer (of the GMR). This provides several advantages: First, the canting of the free layer at the side region results in a reduction of side reading by reducing magnetic sensitivity in that region. Second, the CCL leads to a narrow current flow profile at the side region, therefore producing a narrow track width definition. A process for making this device is described. Said process allows some of the requirements for interface cleaning associated with prior art processes to be relaxed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.