CPP magnetoresistive device and method for making same
AssigneeRead-Rite Corporation
InventorsKenneth E. Knapp, Ronald A. Barr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetoresistive device includes a metal layer, formed over a substrate, in which a groove is formed. A magnetoresistive element is formed in the groove, forming two magnetoresistive element portions that are separated by a conductive element. A sense current applied to the metal layer flows through the two magnetoresistive element portions with a predominant current-perpendicular-to-plane component. A method includes techniques that are less complex and less expensive than submicron photolithography to form the above described magnetoresistive device with submicron geometries. A system includes a read/write head that incorporates a magnetoresistive element formed in a groove of a metal layer.
Claims13
A magnetoresistive device comprising:
- a substrate;
- a metal layer formed over said substrate provided with a groove having first and second angled walls, said first angled wall forming a terminus of a first portion of said metal layer and said second angled wall forming a terminus of a second portion of said metal layer;
- a first plurality of layers of materials that exhibit a magnetoresistive effect when exposed to a magnetic field and an electric current, said first plurality of layers being formed along said first angled wall;
- a second plurality of layers of materials that exhibit said magnetoresistive effect when exposed to said magnetic field and said electric current, said second plurality of layers being formed along said second angled wall;
- and
- a conductive element that lies between and is in electrical and physical contact with said first and second plurality of layers, whereby when an electric current flows through one of said first and second portions of said metal layer, at least a component of said electric current flows approximately perpendicularly to said first and second plurality of layers and through the other of said first and second portions of said metal layer.
A magnetoresistive device for reading magnetic media, comprising:
- first angled wall means for conducting an electric current;
- second angled wall means for conducting said electric current, said first and second angled wall means forming walls of a groove;
- first detector means for detecting a magnetic field formed on said first angled wall means;
- second detector means for detecting said magnetic field formed on said second angled wall means;
- and
- conductive means electrically connected to and located between said first and second means for detecting, such that when said electric current flows through one of said first and second detector means, at least a component of an electric current flows approximately perpendicular through said first and second detector means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.