GMR read head having a pinned layer with an active portion oxidized to reduce the magnetic moment thereof
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorHardayal Singh Gill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic head having a sensor with a free layer, a spacer layer coupled to the free layer, and a pinned layer coupled to the spacer layer. Each layer has an active portion defined between its end portions. Leads are coupled to the sensor, with each lead overlapping the end portions of the layers. The pinned layer is operative to substantially pin magnetic moments of the end portions of the free layer. The magnetic moment of the active portion of the pinned layer is oxidized to reduce its magnetic moment, allowing the magnetic moment of the active portion of the free layer to spin freely.
Claims18
A magnetic head, comprising:
- a sensor having a free layer, a spacer layer coupled to the free layer, and a pinned layer coupled to the spacer layer, each layer having an active portion defined between end portions thereof;
- leads coupled to the sensor, wherein each lead overlaps the end portions of the layers;
- wherein the pinned layer is operative to substantially pin magnetic moments of the end portions of the free layer;
- wherein a magnetic moment of the active portion of the pinned layer is less than magnetic moments of the end portions of the pinned layer.
A method for creating a magnetic head, the method comprising:
- depositing a free layer, a pinned layer, and a spacer layer between the free layer and pinned layer for forming a sensor in which the magnetic moments of end portions of the free layer are antiparallel to magnetic moments of end portions of the pinned layer;
- coupling leads to the sensor, wherein each lead overlaps opposite end portions of the layers;
- oxidizing an active portion of the pinned layer for reducing a magnetic moment thereof, the active portion being defined between the end portions of the pinned layer.
A magnetic storage system, comprising:
- magnetic media;
- at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic media, each head having:
- a sensor including a free layer, a spacer layer, and a pinned layer;
- wherein magnetic moments of end portions of the free layer are antiparallel to magnetic moments of end portions of the pinned layer, wherein a magnetic moment of a central portion of the pinned layer is less than the magnetic moment of the end portions of the pinned layer;
- a write element coupled to the read portion;
- and
- a slider for supporting the head;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.