Recessed AFM stitch interface engineering
US9870790B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/3929
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A read sensor and fabrication method thereof. The method includes forming a bottom stack that includes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer, a lower ferromagnetic stitch layer above the AFM layer and a sacrificial cap layer on the lower ferromagnetic stitch layer. The sacrificial cap layer is formed of a material that alloys magnetically with the lower ferromagnetic stitch layer. The method further includes substantially removing the sacrificial cap layer. After substantially removing the sacrificial layer, an upper ferromagnetic stitch layer is deposited on the lower ferromagnetic stitch layer of the bottom stack to form a stitch interface that provides relatively strong magnetic coupling between the lower ferromagnetic stitch layer of the bottom stack and the upper ferromagnetic stitch layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.