US 7,356,909 B1Granted

Method of forming a CPP magnetic recording head with a self-stabilizing vortex configuration

AssigneeHeadway Technologies, Inc.

InventorsTai Min, Pokang Wang, Min Li, Otto Vogeli

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Abstract

A method is provided for forming a CPP MTJ or GMR read sensor in which the free layer is self-stabilized by a magnetization in a circumferential vortex configuration. This magnetization permits the pinned layer to be magnetized in a direction parallel to the ABS plane, which thereby makes the pinned layer directionally more stable as well. The lack of lateral horizontal bias layers or in-stack biasing allows the formation of closely configured shields, thereby providing protection against side-reading. The vortex magnetization is accomplished by first magnetizing the free layer in a uniform vertical field, then applying a vertical current while the field is still present.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of forming a CPP GMR or MTJ read sensor having a self-stabilized circumferentially magnetized free layer, comprising:

providing a substrate;
forming a lower magnetic shield of highly permeable magnetic material on said substrate;
forming a horizontally layered and patterned CPP GMR or MTJ sensor element symmetrically on said lower shield, said element including a soft magnetic free layer and a soft magnetic pinned layer;
wherein,
said free layer is magnetized circumferentially in a vortex configuration;
and
said pinned layer is magnetized unidirectionally within the pinned layer plane and in a direction parallel to an air-bearing surface plane of the sensor;
and
forming an upper magnetic shield of highly permeable magnetic material symmetrically on said sensor element.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.