Patent · US Active

GMR spin-valve element evaluation method, magnetic head manufacturing method, and magnetic storage device

US7525771B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
12References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 18, 2005
Grant dateApr 28, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/3903
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for evaluating a magnetized state of a pinned layer of a magnetoresistive spin-valve element used, together with a recording element, in a magnetic head, is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a first alternating current to the recording element, while supplying a second current for generating a magnetic field to the spin-valve element, the direction of the magnetic field generated by the second current being opposite to a prescribed direction of magnetization of the pinned layer adjacent to an antiferromagnetic layer; and (b) determining whether the magnetization of the pinned layer is inverted toward said direction opposite to the prescribed direction.

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