Magnetoresistive sensor, magnetic head, head gimbal assembly, and disk drive unit with the same

A magnetic head, comprising:

• a magnetoresistive sensor;
• and
• a write head formed on the magnetoresistive sensor;
• wherein the magnetoresistive sensor comprising:
• a first shielding layer;
• a second shielding layer;
• a magnetoresistive element formed therebetween, which comprising an antiferromagnetic layer formed on the first shielding layer, a pinned layer formed on the antiferromagnetic layer, and a free layer formed therebetween;
• and
• a pair of hard magnet layers respectively placed on two sides of the magnetoresistive element;
• wherein the free layer is funnel-shaped, which having a first edge facing the air bearing surface and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the first edge has a narrower width than that of the second edge.

A head gimbal assembly, comprising:

• a slider with a magnetoresistive sensor;
• and
• a suspension to support the slider;
• wherein the magnetoresistive sensor comprising:
• a first shielding layer;
• a second shielding layer;
• a magnetoresistive element formed therebetween, which comprising an antiferromagnetic layer formed on the first shielding layer, a pinned layer formed on the antiferromagnetic layer, and a free layer formed therebetween;
• and
• a pair of hard magnet layers respectively placed on two sides of the magnetoresistive element;
• wherein the free layer is funnel-shaped, which having a first edge facing the air bearing surface and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the first edge has a narrower width than that of the second edge.

A disk drive unit, comprising:

• a head gimbal assembly with a slider;
• a drive arm to connect with the head gimbal assembly;
• a rotatable disk;
• and
• a spindle motor to spin the disk;
• wherein the slider has a magnetoresistive sensor comprising:
• a first shielding layer;
• a second shielding layer;
• a magnetoresistive element formed therebetween, which comprising an antiferromagnetic layer formed on the first shielding layer, a pinned layer formed on the antiferromagnetic layer, and a free layer formed therebetween;
• and
• a pair of hard magnet layers respectively placed on two sides of the magnetoresistive element;
• wherein the free layer is funnel-shaped, which having a first edge facing the air bearing surface and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the first edge has a narrower width than that of the second edge.