Magnetoresistive sensor having shape enhanced pinning and low lead resistance
US7602589B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/3996
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetoresistive sensor having a pinned layer that extends beyond the free layer in the stripe height direction for improved shape enhanced pinning. The sensor includes hard bias layers and leads that extend in the stripe height direction beyond the stripe height of the free layer, providing increased conductive material for improved conduction of sense current to the sensor. The hard bias layers contact the sensor stack in the region between the ABS and the stripe height of the free layer, but are electrically insulated from the pinned layer in regions beyond the stripe height of the free layer by a layer of conformally deposited non-magnetic, electrically insulating material such as alumina.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.