Method and system for fabricating a high density magnetoresistive device
AssigneeRead-Rite Corporation
InventorsRonald Barr, Robert E. Rottmayer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for providing a device for reading data is disclosed. The device includes a magnetoresistive element. The method and system include providing a read gap, providing a plurality of leads, and providing an insulator. The read gap covers at least a portion of the magnetoresistive element. The plurality of leads is electrically coupled with the magnetoresistive element. The insulator electrically isolates a portion of each of the plurality of leads. In one aspect, the read gap is formed in a first process and the insulator is formed in a second process decoupled from the first process.
Claims19
A method for providing a device for reading data, the device including a magnetoresistive element for sensing the data, a first read gap and a first shield, the first read gap being on the first shield and the magnetoresistive element being on the first read gap, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a second read gap covering at least a portion of the magnetoresistive element;
- (b) providing a plurality of leads electrically coupled with the magnetoresistive element;
- (c) providing an insulator for electrically isolating a portion of each of the plurality of leads, the insulator covering the leads substantially without overlapping the second read gap;
- and
- (d) providing a second shield above to the second read gap and a portion of the insulator, the insulator electrically isolating a portion of each or the plurality of leads from the second shield, the second read gap a butting and between the magnetoresistive element and the second shield;
- wherein the second read gap providing step (a) and the insulator providing step (c) are decoupled.
The method of claim further comprising the step of:
- (e) depositing an exchange layer prior to depositing the leads, the exchange layer covering a second portion of the magnetoresistive element, the exchange layer for magnetically biasing the magnetoresistive element.
A device for reading data, the device including a magnetoresistive element for sensing the data, a first read gap and a first shield, the first read gap being on the first shield and the magnetoresistive element being on the first read gap, the device comprising:
- a second read gap covering at least a portion of the magnetoresistive element;
- a plurality of leads coupled with the magnetoresistive element, the plurality of leads for carrying current to and from the magnetoresistive element;
- an insulator substantially covering a portion of each of the plurality of leads substantially without overlapping the second read gap;
- and
- a second shield above the second read gap and a portion of the insulator, the insulator electrically insulating the portion of each of the plurality of leads from the second shield, the second read gap a butting and between the magnetoresistive element and the second shield;
- wherein the second read gap is formed in a first process and the insulator is formed in a second process decoupled from the first process.
A magnetic recording system comprising:
- a magnetic recording media for storing data;
- and
- a device for reading the data, the device including, a magnetoresistive element for sensing the data, a first read gap and a first shield, the first read gap being on the first shield and the magnetoresistive element being on the first read gap, a second read gap covering at least a portion of the magnetoresistive element, a plurality of leads coupled with the magnetoresistive element, an insulator substantially covering a portion of each of the plurality of leads substantially without overlapping the second read gap;
- and a second shield above the second read gap and a portion of the insulator, the insulator electrically insulating the portion of each of the plurality of leads from the shield;
- wherein the second read gap is formed in a first process and the insulator is formed in a second process decoupled from the first process;
- and
- wherein, the second read gap a butting and between the magnetoresistive element and the second shield.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.