CPP magnetoresistive device and method for making same
AssigneeRead-Rite Corporation
InventorsKenneth E. Knapp, Ronald A. Barr
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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.
Claims3
A system for reading from and writing to magnetic media comprising:
- a read/write head including:
- a write element for recording data on said magnetic media;
- means for applying a first current to create a first magnetic field in the vicinity of said write element;
- a read element for reading data from the magnetic media comprising a conductive layer;
- a groove formed within said conductive layer thereby defining first and second conductive portions of said conductive layer which are aligned in the same plane;
- first and second magnetoresistive elements formed within said groove;
- a conductive element disposed adjacent to said groove and in contact with said first and second magnetoresistive elements;
- means for providing a second current that is injected through said conductive layer, said conductive element and said magnetoresistive means to detect a second magnetic field in the vicinity of said magnetic media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.