Scissoring-type current-perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) sensors with damped free layer structures
US8233247B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/3996
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A “scissoring-type” current-perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) sensor has magnetically damped free layers. In one embodiment each of the two free layers is in contact with a damping layer that comprises Pt or Pd, or a lanthanoid (an element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Th, Yb, and Lu). Each of the two free layers has one of its surfaces in contact with the sensor's electrically conducting nonmagnetic spacer layer and its other surface in contact with its associated damping layer. A nonmagnetic film may be located between each free layer and its associated damping layer. In another embodiment the damping element is present as a dopant or impurity in each of the two free layers. In another embodiment a nanolayer of the damping element is located within each of the two free layers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.