System having a TMR sensor with leads configured for providing joule heating
US8331064B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49043
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method in one embodiment includes applying a current to a lead of a tunneling magnetoresistance sensor for inducing joule heating of the lead or a heating layer, the level of joule heating being sufficient to anneal a magnetic layer of the sensor; and maintaining the current at the level for an amount of time sufficient to anneal the tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor. A system in one embodiment comprises a first lead coupled to one end of a tunneling magnetoresistance sensor stack; a second lead coupled to another end of the sensor stack; and a third lead coupled to the first lead, the third lead being selectively coupleable to a ground, wherein a current applied to the first lead at a predetermined level when the third lead is coupled to the ground induces joule heating of the first lead or a heating layer coupled to the first and third leads, the joule heating applied for a predetermined amount of time being sufficient to anneal a magnetic layer of the sensor. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.