Current-pinned spin valve sensor

A current-pinned spin valve sensor consisting essentially of:

• a soft ferromagnetic free layer having a first thickness and a first Mrt;
• a soft ferromagnetic pinned layer having a second thickness less than said first thickness and a second Mrt substantially less than said first Mrt;
• a copper layer disposed between said free layer and said pinned layer;
• and
• a current source coupled to said free layer, said pinned layer, and said copper layer to provide a biasing current that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to saturate said pinned layer.

A magnetic disk system comprising:

• a magnetic disk coupled to a motor for rotation around an axis;
• and
• a transducer supported over said magnetic disk, said transducer including a spin valve sensor having a soft ferromagnetic free layer having a first thickness and a first Mrt;
• a soft ferromagnetic pinned layer having a second thickness less than said first thickness and a second Mrt substantially less than said first Mrt;
• and a copper layer disposed between said free layer and said pinned layer;
• and
• a current source coupled to said spin valve sensor to provide a biasing current that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to saturate said pinned layer.

A read/write head assembly comprising:

• a transducer including an inductive write element and a spin valve sensor having a soft ferromagnetic free layer having a first thickness and a first Mrt;
• a soft ferromagnetic pinned layer having a second thickness less than said first thickness and a second Mrt substantially less than said first Mrt;
• and a copper layer disposed between said free layer and said pinned layer;
• a current source coupled to said spin valve sensor to provide a biasing current that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to saturate said pinned layer;
• and
• an elongated suspension arm supporting said transducer proximate to one end thereof.