Apparatus and method for reduction of side reading effects in lead-overlay and exchange-tab structures

A process for fabricating a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor, comprising:

• depositing a pinning layer;
• depositing a pinned layer above the pinning layer;
• depositing a free layer above the pinned layer;
• processing the MR sensor such that first portions of the pinned layer have a first pinned layer magnetization parallel with a free layer magnetization, and a second portion of the pinned layer has a second pinned layer magnetization perpendicular with the free layer magnetization in the absence of an external field;
• and
• depositing a pair of leads above the free layer.

A process for fabricating a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor, comprising:

• depositing a pinning layer;
• depositing a pinned layer above the pinning layer;
• depositing a free layer above the pinned layer with a spacer layer therebetween;
• positioning a mask on the free layer;
• applying an external magnetic field to the MR sensor;
• applying ion radiation to the MR sensor for altering a magnetization of the pinned layer;
• depositing a pair of leads above the free layer;
• and
• removing the mask.

A magneto-resistive (MR) sensor fabricated utilizing a process, comprising:

• depositing a pinning layer;
• depositing a pinned layer above the pinning layer;
• depositing a free layer above the pinned layer with a spacer layer therebetween;
• positioning a mask on the free layer;
• applying an external magnetic field to the MR sensor;
• applying ion radiation to the MR sensor for altering a magnetization of the pinned layer;
• depositing a pair of leads above the free layer;
• and
• removing the mask.

A disk drive system, comprising:

• a magnetic recording disk;
• a magnetic head including:
• a pinned layer,
• a free layer disposed above the pinned layer with a spacer layer therebetween,
• a pair of leads disposed over portions of the free layer, and
• a pinning layer disposed below the pinned layer,
• wherein first portions of the pinned layer disposed below the leads have a first pinned layer magnetization parallel with a free layer magnetization, and a second portion of the pinned layer has a second pinned layer magnetization perpendicular with the free layer magnetization in the absence of an external field;
• an actuator for moving the magnetic head across the magnetic recording disk so the magnetic head may access different regions of the magnetic recording disk;
• and
• a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.