High resolution magnetic read head using top exchange biasing and/or lateral hand biasing of the free layer
US8451567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49048
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A CPP (Current Perpendicular to Plane) MR (Magnetoresistive) read head and its method of fabrication includes a patterned CPP MR sensor stack having a SAF (Synthetic Antiferromagnetic) free layer structure that is longitudinally biased by the combination of an exchange biasing layer formed over the sensor stack and hard biasing layers that are formed adjacent to the patterned sides of the stack. The combination provides the stack with high resolution reading capabilities without the necessity for a narrow read gap formed by closely spaced top and bottom shields. Sixteen embodiments are described that provide different versions of the exchange biasing layer, different positions of the hard biasing layers and different patternings of the CPP MR sensor stack.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.