CPP GMR using Fe based synthetic free layer
AssigneeHitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
InventorHardayal Singh Gill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor having an antiparallel coupled free layer including a first magnetic layer of Fe and a second magnetic layer of FeXN, where X can be Al or Ta. The first and second magnetic layers of the free layer are separated from one another by a Cr coupling layer. The sensor may also include an antiparallel coupling layer including Fe magnetic layers separated by a Cr coupling layer. The pinned and free layers may be separated by a Cr spacer layer.
Claims19
A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, comprising:
- a pinned layer structure;
- a synthetic free layer structure;
- and
- a spacer layer sandwiched between said pinned layer structure and said synthetic free layer structure, said free layer structure further comprising:
- a first magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- a second magnetic layer comprising Fe and N;
- and
- a coupling layer comprising Cr sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers;
- wherein said second magnetic layer of said free layer comprises 2 to 5 atomic percent N.
A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, comprising:
- a pinned layer structure;
- a synthetic free layer structure;
- and
- a spacer layer sandwiched between said pinned layer structure and said synthetic free layer structure, said free layer structure further comprising:
- a first magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- a second magnetic layer comprising Fe and N, and X, where X is selected from the group of materials consisting of Al, and Ta;
- a coupling layer comprising Cr sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers;
- wherein said second magnetic layer of said free layer comprises 1 to 3 atomic percent X.
A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, comprising:
- a pinned layer structure;
- a synthetic free layer structure;
- and
- a spacer layer sandwiched between said pinned layer structure and said synthetic free layer structure, said free layer structure further comprising:
- a first magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- a second magnetic layer comprising Fe and N;
- and
- a coupling layer comprising Cr sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers;
- wherein said second magnetic layer further comprises a thin layer consisting essentially of Fe adjacent to said coupling layer.
A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, comprising:
- a pinned layer structure;
- a synthetic free layer structure;
- and
- a spacer layer sandwiched between said pinned layer structure and said synthetic free layer structure, said free layer structure further comprising:
- a first magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- a second magnetic layer comprising Fe, N and X where X comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Al and Ta;
- and
- a coupling layer comprising Cr sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers;
- wherein said second magnetic layer further comprises a thin layer consisting essentially of Fe adjacent to said coupling layer.
A magnetic data storage system, comprising:
- a magnetic media;
- an actuator;
- a slider connected with said actuator for movement adjacent to said magnetic media;
- a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor connected with said slider, said sensor comprising:
- a pinned layer structure;
- a synthetic free layer structure;
- and
- a spacer layer comprising Cr sandwiched between said pinned layer structure and said synthetic free layer structure, said free layer structure further comprising:
- a first magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- a second magnetic layer comprising Fe and N;
- and
- a coupling layer comprising Cr sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers;
- wherein the second magnetic layer comprises 2-5 atomic percent N;
- and
- said pinned layer structure further comprising:
- a third magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- a fourth magnetic layer comprising Fe;
- and
- a second coupling layer comprising Cr.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.