Method and apparatus for using a specular scattering layer in a free layer of a magnetic sensor while stabilizing the free layer by direct coupling with an antiferromagnetic layer

magnetic storage device, comprising:

• a magnetic medium for storing data thereon;
• a motor, coupled to the magnetic medium, for moving the magnetic medium;
• a transducer for reading and writing data on the magnetic medium;
• and
• an actuator, coupled to the transducer, for moving the transducer relative to the magnetic medium;
• wherein the transducer includes a read sensor comprising:
• a first antiferromagnetic pinning layer;
• a pinned layer magnetically coupled to the first antiferromagnetic pinning layer;
• a free layer disposed over the pinned layer;
• and
• a second antiferromagnetic pinning layer abutting the free layer and magnetically coupled to the free layer for stabilizing the free layer, the free layer including a first and second free sublayer with a specular layer for providing specular scattering in the free layer, the specular layer disposed between and abutting the first and second free sublayer;
• wherein the specular layer comprises a copper layer.

A method for forming a read sensor, comprising:

• forming a first antiferromagnetic pinning layer;
• forming a pinned layer magnetically coupled to the first antiferromagnetic pinning layer;
• forming, over the pinned layer, a free layer, the free layer including a first and second free sublayer with a specular layer for providing specular scattering in the free layer, the specular layer disposed between and abutting the first and second free sublayer;
• and
• forming a second antiferromagnetic pinning layer abutting the free layer and magnetically coupled to the free layer for stabilizing the free layer;
• wherein the forming the specular layer further comprises forming a copper layer.