JPH11354860A - スピンバルブ磁気変換素子及び磁気ヘッド - Google Patents

スピンバルブ磁気変換素子及び磁気ヘッド

Info

Publication number
JPH11354860A
JPH11354860A JP10176534A JP17653498A JPH11354860A JP H11354860 A JPH11354860 A JP H11354860A JP 10176534 A JP10176534 A JP 10176534A JP 17653498 A JP17653498 A JP 17653498A JP H11354860 A JPH11354860 A JP H11354860A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
magnetic
layer
spin valve
free
magnetic layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP10176534A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Fuminori Higami
文範 樋上
Hideyasu Nagai
秀康 永井
Masanori Ueno
昌紀 上野
Marcos M Lederman
マルコス・エム・レダーマン
Hirohiko Kamimura
裕彦 上村
Masahiko Ando
正彦 安藤
Kenji Komaki
賢治 小巻
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Read Rite SMI Corp
Original Assignee
Read Rite SMI Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Read Rite SMI Corp filed Critical Read Rite SMI Corp
Priority to JP10176534A priority Critical patent/JPH11354860A/ja
Priority to US09/326,002 priority patent/US6791807B1/en
Publication of JPH11354860A publication Critical patent/JPH11354860A/ja
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/02—Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
    • G01R33/06—Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux using galvano-magnetic devices
    • G01R33/09—Magnetoresistive devices
    • G01R33/093—Magnetoresistive devices using multilayer structures, e.g. giant magnetoresistance sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
    • B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
    • B82Y10/00—Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
    • B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
    • B82Y25/00—Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
    • G11B5/127—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
    • G11B5/33—Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads, i.e. for reproduction only; Combination of such heads with means for recording or erasing only
    • G11B5/39—Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads, i.e. for reproduction only; Combination of such heads with means for recording or erasing only using magneto-resistive devices or effects
    • G11B5/3903—Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads, i.e. for reproduction only; Combination of such heads with means for recording or erasing only using magneto-resistive devices or effects using magnetic thin film layers or their effects, the films being part of integrated structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F10/00—Thin magnetic films, e.g. of one-domain structure
    • H01F10/32—Spin-exchange-coupled multilayers, e.g. nanostructured superlattices
    • H01F10/324—Exchange coupling of magnetic film pairs via a very thin non-magnetic spacer, e.g. by exchange with conduction electrons of the spacer
    • H01F10/3268—Exchange coupling of magnetic film pairs via a very thin non-magnetic spacer, e.g. by exchange with conduction electrons of the spacer the exchange coupling being asymmetric, e.g. by use of additional pinning, by using antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic coupling interface, i.e. so-called spin-valve [SV] structure, e.g. NiFe/Cu/NiFe/FeMn

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Nanotechnology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Magnetic Heads (AREA)
  • Hall/Mr Elements (AREA)
  • Thin Magnetic Films (AREA)

Abstract

(57)【要約】 【課題】 フリー層の磁歪定数を制御してその磁気異方
性をピン層の磁化方向と直交する理想的な方向に向け、
磁気的に安定したスピンバルブ膜を備えた高性能の磁気
変換素子及び磁気ヘッドを提供する。ピン層へのハード
バイアスの影響を少なくし、トラック幅方向に均一な感
度を得る。 【解決手段】 基板11上に積層した自由側磁性層14
と、固定側磁性層15と、両磁性層間に挟まれた非磁性
層13と、固定側磁性層に隣接する反強磁性層16とか
らなるスピンバルブ膜10を備え、自由側磁性層が、好
ましくは0>λ>−1×10-6の範囲内にある負の磁歪
定数を有するスピンバルブ磁気変換素子。

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】
【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、基本的に基板上に
自由側磁性層/非磁性層/固定側磁性層を積層しかつ固
定側磁性層を反強磁性層により磁化固定したスピンバル
ブ磁気変換素子及び、このようなスピンバルブ磁気変換
素子を備える磁気ヘッドに関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】従来より、再生用磁気ヘッドにおいて飽
和磁界を小さくして磁界感度を高めるために、スピンバ
ルブ膜構造の磁気変換素子が提案されている。一般にス
ピンバルブ膜は、基板の上に非磁性層(導電層)を挟ん
で対向する2つの磁性層を積層したサンドイッチ構造か
らなる。一方の磁性層(ピン層)の磁化は、それに隣接
する反強磁性層との交換結合磁界により素子高さ方向に
固定される。他方の磁性層(フリー層)の磁化は、一般
に永久磁石の磁界を利用したハードバイアス法により、
素子のトラック幅方向に単磁区化され、外部磁界により
自由に回転する。
【0003】スピンバルブ膜は、ピン層の磁化方向とフ
リー層の磁化方向とが直交した状態で使用するのが理想
的である。フリー層の磁化が記録媒体などの外部からの
磁場により回転すると、ピン層・フリー層間の磁化方向
の角度差により素子の電気抵抗が変化することにより、
記録媒体に記録された信号が検出される。
【0004】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】スピンバルブ膜1は、
図2Aに示されるように、ウエハ上に概ね矩形に成膜さ
れ、かつその左右両側に永久磁石膜及びその上にリード
層2a、2bが形成される。この状態でスピンバルブ膜
1には、その平面内においてXY両方向から圧縮応力が
作用している。ここで、個々の素子を切り出すために前
記ウエハを想像線2で示す空気ベアリング面(ABS)
において切断すると、ABS側の応力が開放されるので
応力分布が変化し、図2Bに示すように、スピンバルブ
膜1にはX方向に圧縮応力、Y方向に引張り応力が作用
することになる。
【0005】一般に磁性膜は、その磁歪定数が正の場合
には、磁化が引張作用の方向に向き易く、逆に負の場合
には、圧縮作用の方向を向き易いという性質がある。そ
こで従来のスピンバルブ膜構造は、零を目標にフリー層
の磁歪定数を設定して、応力の影響を受けないようにし
ている。ところが、実際上磁性膜材料の組成などの理由
により、フリー層の磁歪定数を正確に零にすることは困
難で、約±3×10-7程度のばらつきが存在する。この
ため、応力の影響が完全に解消されず、素子の感度にば
らつきが生じて安定し難いという問題があった。
【0006】本発明は、この磁性膜の特徴に着目してな
されたものであり、その目的は、フリー層の磁歪定数を
制御することにより、その磁気異方性をピン層の磁化方
向と直交する理想的な方向に向けることができ、磁気的
に安定したスピンバルブ膜を備えた高性能の磁気変換素
子及び磁気ヘッドを提供することにある。
【0007】また、多くのスピンバルブ膜は、フリー層
がその両側に磁区制御層として永久磁石膜を配置したハ
ードバイアス法により素子のトラック幅方向に単磁区化
されている。この場合、ピン層の両端付近では、前記永
久磁石膜の磁界の影響を受けて、その磁化方向がフリー
層の磁化方向に対して90°でなくなる虞がある。その
ため、スピンバルブ膜の両端付近では、MR比が変化し
て感度が低下し、全体としてトラック幅方向に均一な感
度が得られなくなるという問題があった。
【0008】そこで、本発明の別の目的は、ハードバイ
アスを用いてフリー層を単磁区化するスピンバルブ膜構
造において、ピン層へのハードバイアスの影響を少なく
し、トラック幅方向に均一な感度が得られる高性能の磁
気変換素子及び磁気ヘッドを提供することにある。
【0009】
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、上述した目的
を達成するためのものであり、以下にその内容を図面に
示した実施例を用いて説明する。本発明のスピンバルブ
磁気変換素子は、基板上に積層した自由側磁性層と、固
定側磁性層と、前記両磁性層間に挟まれた非磁性層と、
前記固定側磁性層に隣接する反強磁性層とからなり、前
記自由側磁性層が負の磁歪定数を有することを特徴とす
る。また本発明によれば、このようなスピンバルブ磁気
変換素子を備える磁気ヘッドが提供される。
【0010】このように自由側磁性層の磁歪定数を積極
的に負に設定することにより、ABSを加工した後に、
スピンバルブ膜の平面内に圧縮力が素子高さ方向に直交
する向きに作用するようになるので、フリー層の磁気異
方性がピン層の磁化方向と直交する方向に向き易くな
る。
【0011】このとき、ハードバイアス法によるスピン
バルブ膜では、永久磁石膜の磁界を従来より小さくでき
るので、その両端付近においてピン層の磁気異方性に与
える影響が少なくなり、素子の感度が向上する。特に自
由側磁性層の磁歪定数λが0>λ>−1×10-6の範囲
内にあるとき、素子の感度が安定するので好ましい。
【0012】
【発明の実施の形態】図1は、本発明を適用したスピン
バルブ膜の好適な実施例を示している。スピンバルブ膜
10は、基板11上に形成した下地層12の上に、非磁
性層13を挟んで対向する2つの磁性層14、15を積
層したサンドイッチ構造からなる。一方の磁性層15の
上には、反強磁性層16が積層されている。スピンバル
ブ膜10の左右両側には、磁区制御層としての永久磁石
膜17a、17bが配置され、かつその上にセンス電流
のための電極としてリード層18a、18bが形成され
る。
【0013】前記両磁性膜は、従来と同様にパーマロ
イ、Co、CoFe、CoFeBなどの材料で形成され
る。前記反強磁性層は、従来から提案されているFeM
n系、NiMn系、PtMn系、IrMn系などの様々
な合金材料で形成することができる。
【0014】反強磁性層16に隣接する磁性層15の磁
化は、従来より公知の磁場中熱処理により素子高さ方向
に向けられ、前記反強磁性層との交換結合磁界により固
定される。これに対し、他方の磁性層14の磁化は、永
久磁石膜17a、17bにより素子のトラック幅方向に
向けられており、外部磁界により自由に回転する。理想
的には、固定側の磁性層15即ちピン層と自由側の磁性
層14即ちフリー層の磁化方向が直交した状態で使用す
る。
【0015】本実施例では、フリー層14の磁歪定数λ
が、0>λ>−1×10-6の範囲内に設定されている。
図2に関連して上述したように、ABS加工後のスピン
バルブ膜10の平面内には、左右両側を永久磁石膜17
a、17b及びリード層18a、18bに挟まれてX方
向に圧縮応力が作用する。これにより、フリー層14の
磁気異方性を理想的なX方向に向けることができるの
で、磁気変換素子の感度の磁気的安定度が大幅に向上す
る。
【0016】このように、フリー層14の磁気異方性を
X方向即ちトラック幅方向に向け易くなるので、前記永
久磁石膜の磁界は従来より小さくできる。従って、ピン
層15の両端付近に作用する前記永久磁石膜の磁界の影
響は少なくなり、その磁気異方性は、トラック幅方向に
沿ってより安定して素子高さ方向に固定される。このた
め、素子の感度がトラック幅方向により均一になる。
【0017】実際に、本実施例のスピンバルブ膜を備え
た磁気変換素子と、従来と同様に磁歪定数λが実質的に
零のフリー層からなる同様の構造のスピンバルブ膜を用
いた磁気変換素子とについて、その電気抵抗と出力との
関係をそれぞれサンプリングしたところ、本実施例によ
れば、電気抵抗の増大に伴って出力が右上がりに略線形
に安定して増加するのに対し、従来例では、出力が低下
しかつばらつきが大きくなることが分かった。この比較
結果から、本発明によれば素子の感度が大幅に安定する
ことが判明した。
【0018】尚、フリー層の磁歪定数は、上記0>λ>
−1×10-6の範囲外であっても、積極的に負の値に設
定されている限り、同様に良好なかつ効果的な結果を得
ることができる。
【0019】また、本発明は、デュアルスピンバルブ構
造についても同様に適用することができる。更に本発明
は、その技術的範囲内において上記実施例に様々な変形
・変更を加えて実施することができる。
【0020】
【発明の効果】本発明は、以上のように構成されている
ので、以下に記載されるような効果を奏する。本発明の
磁気変換素子によれば、ABS加工後に、スピンバルブ
膜のフリー層の磁気異方性が素子のトラック幅方向を向
き易くなるので、素子の感度を従来に比して大幅に安定
させることができ、かつハードバイアスのピン層への影
響を少なくできるので、トラック幅方向により均一な感
度を得ることができ、再生特性がより安定した高性能の
磁気ヘッドを得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】本発明によるスピンバルブ膜の好適実施例をA
BS側から見た断面図である。
【図2】A図はウエハ上に成膜したスピンバルブ膜のA
BS加工前の平面図、B図はABS加工後の平面図であ
る。
【符号の説明】
1 スピンバルブ膜 2a、2b リード層 3 ABS 10 スピンバルブ膜 11 基板 12 下地層 13 非磁性層 14 磁性層、フリー層 15 磁性層、ピン層 16 反強磁性層 17a、17b 永久磁石膜 18a、18b リード層
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 マルコス・エム・レダーマン アメリカ合衆国・カリフォルニア州・ 94107,サン・フランシスコ,クラレン ス・プレイス・1・ナンバー1 (72)発明者 上村 裕彦 大阪府三島郡島本町江川2−15−17 リー ドライト・エスエムアイ株式会社内 (72)発明者 安藤 正彦 大阪府三島郡島本町江川2−15−17 リー ドライト・エスエムアイ株式会社内 (72)発明者 小巻 賢治 大阪府三島郡島本町江川2−15−17 リー ドライト・エスエムアイ株式会社内

Claims (3)

    【特許請求の範囲】
  1. 【請求項1】 基板上に積層した自由側磁性層と、固定
    側磁性層と、前記両磁性層間に挟まれた非磁性層と、前
    記固定側磁性層に隣接する反強磁性層とからなり、前記
    自由側磁性層が負の磁歪定数を有することを特徴とする
    スピンバルブ磁気変換素子。
  2. 【請求項2】 前記自由側磁性層の磁歪定数λが、0>
    λ>−1×10-6の範囲内にあることを特徴とする請求
    項1に記載のスピンバルブ磁気変換素子。
  3. 【請求項3】 請求項1又は2に記載のスピンバルブ磁
    気変換素子を備えることを特徴とする磁気ヘッド。
JP10176534A 1998-06-10 1998-06-10 スピンバルブ磁気変換素子及び磁気ヘッド Pending JPH11354860A (ja)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP10176534A JPH11354860A (ja) 1998-06-10 1998-06-10 スピンバルブ磁気変換素子及び磁気ヘッド
US09/326,002 US6791807B1 (en) 1998-06-10 1999-06-04 Spin-valve magnetic transducing element and magnetic head having free layer with negative magnetostriction

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP10176534A JPH11354860A (ja) 1998-06-10 1998-06-10 スピンバルブ磁気変換素子及び磁気ヘッド

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH11354860A true JPH11354860A (ja) 1999-12-24

Family

ID=16015297

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP10176534A Pending JPH11354860A (ja) 1998-06-10 1998-06-10 スピンバルブ磁気変換素子及び磁気ヘッド

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US6791807B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPH11354860A (ja)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6674617B2 (en) 2002-03-07 2004-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Tunnel junction sensor with a multilayer free-layer structure
US6700755B2 (en) 2001-05-31 2004-03-02 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V. Spin valve sensor with modified magnetostriction
US7155810B2 (en) * 2003-09-30 2007-01-02 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V. Method for fabricating a magnetic head
US7360298B2 (en) * 2003-07-30 2008-04-22 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V. Method of manufacturing a magnetic bias pinning layer for a GMR sensor of a magnetic head

Families Citing this family (135)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4016857B2 (ja) * 2002-10-18 2007-12-05 ヤマハ株式会社 磁気センサ及びその製造方法
JP3835447B2 (ja) 2002-10-23 2006-10-18 ヤマハ株式会社 磁気センサ、同磁気センサの製造方法及び同製造方法に適したマグネットアレイ
US7330339B2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2008-02-12 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V. Structure providing enhanced self-pinning for CPP GMR and tunnel valve heads
JP2007250061A (ja) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-27 Fujitsu Ltd 磁気センサおよび磁気ディスク装置
US8689430B1 (en) 2006-11-29 2014-04-08 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR)head
US8404128B1 (en) 2009-02-23 2013-03-26 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording head
US8400731B1 (en) 2009-04-19 2013-03-19 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Write head with variable side shield gaps
US8611055B1 (en) 2009-07-31 2013-12-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic etch-stop layer for magnetoresistive read heads
US9202480B2 (en) 2009-10-14 2015-12-01 Western Digital (Fremont), LLC. Double patterning hard mask for damascene perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer
US8441896B2 (en) 2010-06-25 2013-05-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Energy assisted magnetic recording head having laser integrated mounted to slider
US8997832B1 (en) 2010-11-23 2015-04-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method of fabricating micrometer scale components
US8441756B1 (en) 2010-12-16 2013-05-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing an antiferromagnetically coupled writer
US9123359B1 (en) 2010-12-22 2015-09-01 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording transducer with sputtered antiferromagnetic coupling trilayer between plated ferromagnetic shields and method of fabrication
US8456961B1 (en) 2011-03-22 2013-06-04 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Systems and methods for mounting and aligning a laser in an electrically assisted magnetic recording assembly
CN102226835A (zh) * 2011-04-06 2011-10-26 江苏多维科技有限公司 单一芯片双轴磁场传感器及其制备方法
US8419954B1 (en) 2011-10-31 2013-04-16 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a side shield for a magnetic recording transducer
US8760823B1 (en) 2011-12-20 2014-06-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a read transducer having soft and hard magnetic bias structures
US8451563B1 (en) 2011-12-20 2013-05-28 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a side shield for a magnetic recording transducer using an air bridge
US9093639B2 (en) 2012-02-21 2015-07-28 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Methods for manufacturing a magnetoresistive structure utilizing heating and cooling
US9349392B1 (en) 2012-05-24 2016-05-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Methods for improving adhesion on dielectric substrates
US8724259B1 (en) 2012-06-11 2014-05-13 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Conformal high moment side shield seed layer for perpendicular magnetic recording writer
US8711528B1 (en) 2012-06-29 2014-04-29 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Tunnel magnetoresistance read head with narrow shield-to-shield spacing
US9269382B1 (en) 2012-06-29 2016-02-23 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a read transducer having improved pinning of the pinned layer at higher recording densities
US9213322B1 (en) 2012-08-16 2015-12-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Methods for providing run to run process control using a dynamic tuner
US8984740B1 (en) 2012-11-30 2015-03-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Process for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a smooth magnetic seed layer
US9053719B2 (en) 2012-11-30 2015-06-09 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetoresistive sensor for a magnetic storage system read head, and fabrication method thereof
US8980109B1 (en) 2012-12-11 2015-03-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a magnetic recording transducer using a combined main pole and side shield CMP for a wraparound shield scheme
US8760818B1 (en) 2013-01-09 2014-06-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Systems and methods for providing magnetic storage elements with high magneto-resistance using heusler alloys
US9042208B1 (en) 2013-03-11 2015-05-26 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Disk drive measuring fly height by applying a bias voltage to an electrically insulated write component of a head
US9336814B1 (en) 2013-03-12 2016-05-10 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Inverse tapered waveguide for use in a heat assisted magnetic recording head
US8883017B1 (en) 2013-03-12 2014-11-11 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a read transducer having seamless interfaces
US9013836B1 (en) 2013-04-02 2015-04-21 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing an antiferromagnetically coupled return pole
US9111564B1 (en) 2013-04-02 2015-08-18 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording writer having a main pole with multiple flare angles
US9104107B1 (en) 2013-04-03 2015-08-11 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc DUV photoresist process
US8993217B1 (en) 2013-04-04 2015-03-31 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Double exposure technique for high resolution disk imaging
US9070381B1 (en) 2013-04-12 2015-06-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording read transducer having a laminated free layer
US9245545B1 (en) 2013-04-12 2016-01-26 Wester Digital (Fremont), Llc Short yoke length coils for magnetic heads in disk drives
US9064527B1 (en) 2013-04-12 2015-06-23 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc High order tapered waveguide for use in a heat assisted magnetic recording head
US9431047B1 (en) 2013-05-01 2016-08-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing an improved AFM reader shield
US9064528B1 (en) 2013-05-17 2015-06-23 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Interferometric waveguide usable in shingled heat assisted magnetic recording in the absence of a near-field transducer
US9431039B1 (en) 2013-05-21 2016-08-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Multiple sensor array usable in two-dimensional magnetic recording
US9263067B1 (en) 2013-05-29 2016-02-16 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Process for making PMR writer with constant side wall angle
US9361913B1 (en) 2013-06-03 2016-06-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Recording read heads with a multi-layer AFM layer methods and apparatuses
US9406331B1 (en) 2013-06-17 2016-08-02 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for making ultra-narrow read sensor and read transducer device resulting therefrom
US9287494B1 (en) 2013-06-28 2016-03-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with a magnesium oxide tunnel barrier
US9318130B1 (en) 2013-07-02 2016-04-19 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method to fabricate tunneling magnetic recording heads with extended pinned layer
US8947985B1 (en) 2013-07-16 2015-02-03 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heat assisted magnetic recording transducers having a recessed pole
US8923102B1 (en) 2013-07-16 2014-12-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Optical grating coupling for interferometric waveguides in heat assisted magnetic recording heads
US9431032B1 (en) 2013-08-14 2016-08-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Electrical connection arrangement for a multiple sensor array usable in two-dimensional magnetic recording
US9275657B1 (en) 2013-08-14 2016-03-01 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Process for making PMR writer with non-conformal side gaps
US9042051B2 (en) 2013-08-15 2015-05-26 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Gradient write gap for perpendicular magnetic recording writer
US9343098B1 (en) 2013-08-23 2016-05-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a heat assisted magnetic recording transducer having protective pads
US9343086B1 (en) 2013-09-11 2016-05-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording write transducer having an improved sidewall angle profile
US9441938B1 (en) 2013-10-08 2016-09-13 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Test structures for measuring near field transducer disc length
US9042058B1 (en) 2013-10-17 2015-05-26 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Shield designed for middle shields in a multiple sensor array
US9349394B1 (en) 2013-10-18 2016-05-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer having a gradient side gap
US9214172B2 (en) 2013-10-23 2015-12-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method of manufacturing a magnetic read head
US9007719B1 (en) 2013-10-23 2015-04-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Systems and methods for using double mask techniques to achieve very small features
US8988812B1 (en) 2013-11-27 2015-03-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Multi-sensor array configuration for a two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) operation
US9194692B1 (en) 2013-12-06 2015-11-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Systems and methods for using white light interferometry to measure undercut of a bi-layer structure
US9280990B1 (en) 2013-12-11 2016-03-08 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer using multiple etches
US9001628B1 (en) 2013-12-16 2015-04-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Assistant waveguides for evaluating main waveguide coupling efficiency and diode laser alignment tolerances for hard disk
US9082423B1 (en) 2013-12-18 2015-07-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording write transducer having an improved trailing surface profile
US8917581B1 (en) 2013-12-18 2014-12-23 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Self-anneal process for a near field transducer and chimney in a hard disk drive assembly
US9147408B1 (en) 2013-12-19 2015-09-29 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heated AFM layer deposition and cooling process for TMR magnetic recording sensor with high pinning field
US8971160B1 (en) 2013-12-19 2015-03-03 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Near field transducer with high refractive index pin for heat assisted magnetic recording
US8970988B1 (en) 2013-12-31 2015-03-03 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Electric gaps and method for making electric gaps for multiple sensor arrays
US9305583B1 (en) 2014-02-18 2016-04-05 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer using multiple etches of damascene materials
US9183854B2 (en) 2014-02-24 2015-11-10 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method to make interferometric taper waveguide for HAMR light delivery
US9202493B1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-12-01 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method of making an ultra-sharp tip mode converter for a HAMR head
US9142233B1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-09-22 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heat assisted magnetic recording writer having a recessed pole
US9396743B1 (en) 2014-02-28 2016-07-19 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Systems and methods for controlling soft bias thickness for tunnel magnetoresistance readers
US8988825B1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-03-24 Western Digital (Fremont, LLC Method for fabricating a magnetic writer having half-side shields
US9153255B1 (en) 2014-03-05 2015-10-06 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer having an asymmetric gap and shields
US9001467B1 (en) 2014-03-05 2015-04-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating side shields in a magnetic writer
US9135930B1 (en) 2014-03-06 2015-09-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic write pole using vacuum deposition
US9934811B1 (en) 2014-03-07 2018-04-03 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Methods for controlling stray fields of magnetic features using magneto-elastic anisotropy
US9190085B1 (en) 2014-03-12 2015-11-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Waveguide with reflective grating for localized energy intensity
US9111558B1 (en) 2014-03-14 2015-08-18 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc System and method of diffractive focusing of light in a waveguide
US9135937B1 (en) 2014-05-09 2015-09-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Current modulation on laser diode for energy assisted magnetic recording transducer
US8958272B1 (en) 2014-06-10 2015-02-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Interfering near field transducer for energy assisted magnetic recording
US9007879B1 (en) 2014-06-10 2015-04-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Interfering near field transducer having a wide metal bar feature for energy assisted magnetic recording
US8976635B1 (en) 2014-06-10 2015-03-10 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Near field transducer driven by a transverse electric waveguide for energy assisted magnetic recording
US8953422B1 (en) 2014-06-10 2015-02-10 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Near field transducer using dielectric waveguide core with fine ridge feature
US9508363B1 (en) 2014-06-17 2016-11-29 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic write pole having a leading edge bevel
US9361914B1 (en) 2014-06-18 2016-06-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic sensor with thin capping layer
US9053735B1 (en) 2014-06-20 2015-06-09 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer using a full-film metal planarization
US9214169B1 (en) 2014-06-20 2015-12-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording read transducer having a laminated free layer
US9042052B1 (en) 2014-06-23 2015-05-26 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic writer having a partially shunted coil
US9230565B1 (en) 2014-06-24 2016-01-05 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic shield for magnetic recording head
US9190079B1 (en) 2014-09-22 2015-11-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic write pole having engineered radius of curvature and chisel angle profiles
US9007725B1 (en) 2014-10-07 2015-04-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Sensor with positive coupling between dual ferromagnetic free layer laminates
US9087527B1 (en) 2014-10-28 2015-07-21 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Apparatus and method for middle shield connection in magnetic recording transducers
US9786301B1 (en) 2014-12-02 2017-10-10 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Apparatuses and methods for providing thin shields in a multiple sensor array
US9721595B1 (en) 2014-12-04 2017-08-01 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a storage device
US9111550B1 (en) 2014-12-04 2015-08-18 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Write transducer having a magnetic buffer layer spaced between a side shield and a write pole by non-magnetic layers
US9236560B1 (en) 2014-12-08 2016-01-12 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Spin transfer torque tunneling magnetoresistive device having a laminated free layer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
US9881638B1 (en) 2014-12-17 2018-01-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a near-field transducer (NFT) for a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device
US9286919B1 (en) 2014-12-17 2016-03-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic writer having a dual side gap
US9741366B1 (en) 2014-12-18 2017-08-22 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer having a gradient in saturation magnetization of the shields
US9214165B1 (en) 2014-12-18 2015-12-15 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic writer having a gradient in saturation magnetization of the shields
US9343087B1 (en) 2014-12-21 2016-05-17 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic writer having half shields
US10074387B1 (en) 2014-12-21 2018-09-11 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a read transducer having symmetric antiferromagnetically coupled shields
US9437251B1 (en) 2014-12-22 2016-09-06 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Apparatus and method having TDMR reader to reader shunts
US9449625B1 (en) 2014-12-24 2016-09-20 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heat assisted magnetic recording head having a plurality of diffusion barrier layers
US9123374B1 (en) 2015-02-12 2015-09-01 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heat assisted magnetic recording writer having an integrated polarization rotation plate
US9312064B1 (en) 2015-03-02 2016-04-12 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method to fabricate a magnetic head including ion milling of read gap using dual layer hard mask
US9443541B1 (en) 2015-03-24 2016-09-13 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic writer having a gradient in saturation magnetization of the shields and return pole
US9431031B1 (en) 2015-03-24 2016-08-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc System and method for magnetic transducers having multiple sensors and AFC shields
US9384763B1 (en) 2015-03-26 2016-07-05 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Dual free layer magnetic reader having a rear bias structure including a soft bias layer
US9449621B1 (en) 2015-03-26 2016-09-20 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Dual free layer magnetic reader having a rear bias structure having a high aspect ratio
US9245562B1 (en) 2015-03-30 2016-01-26 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording writer with a composite main pole
US9263071B1 (en) 2015-03-31 2016-02-16 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Flat NFT for heat assisted magnetic recording
US9147404B1 (en) 2015-03-31 2015-09-29 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a read transducer having a dual free layer
US9508372B1 (en) 2015-06-03 2016-11-29 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Shingle magnetic writer having a low sidewall angle pole
US9508365B1 (en) 2015-06-24 2016-11-29 Western Digital (Fremont), LLC. Magnetic reader having a crystal decoupling structure
US9530443B1 (en) 2015-06-25 2016-12-27 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic recording device having a high aspect ratio structure
US9646639B2 (en) 2015-06-26 2017-05-09 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heat assisted magnetic recording writer having integrated polarization rotation waveguides
US9842615B1 (en) 2015-06-26 2017-12-12 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic reader having a nonmagnetic insertion layer for the pinning layer
US9431038B1 (en) 2015-06-29 2016-08-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for fabricating a magnetic write pole having an improved sidewall angle profile
US9472216B1 (en) 2015-09-23 2016-10-18 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Differential dual free layer magnetic reader
US9666214B1 (en) 2015-09-23 2017-05-30 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Free layer magnetic reader that may have a reduced shield-to-shield spacing
US9424866B1 (en) 2015-09-24 2016-08-23 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Heat assisted magnetic recording write apparatus having a dielectric gap
US9384765B1 (en) 2015-09-24 2016-07-05 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a HAMR writer having improved optical efficiency
US9595273B1 (en) 2015-09-30 2017-03-14 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Shingle magnetic writer having nonconformal shields
US9484051B1 (en) 2015-11-09 2016-11-01 The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars and the other members of Board, of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin Method and system for reducing undesirable reflections in a HAMR write apparatus
US9953670B1 (en) 2015-11-10 2018-04-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for providing a HAMR writer including a multi-mode interference device
US10037770B1 (en) 2015-11-12 2018-07-31 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a magnetic recording write apparatus having a seamless pole
US9812155B1 (en) 2015-11-23 2017-11-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for fabricating high junction angle read sensors
US9564150B1 (en) 2015-11-24 2017-02-07 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic read apparatus having an improved read sensor isolation circuit
US9799351B1 (en) 2015-11-30 2017-10-24 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Short yoke length writer having assist coils
US9754611B1 (en) 2015-11-30 2017-09-05 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic recording write apparatus having a stepped conformal trailing shield
US9767831B1 (en) 2015-12-01 2017-09-19 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Magnetic writer having convex trailing surface pole and conformal write gap
US9740805B1 (en) 2015-12-01 2017-08-22 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method and system for detecting hotspots for photolithographically-defined devices
US9858951B1 (en) 2015-12-01 2018-01-02 Western Digital (Fremont), Llc Method for providing a multilayer AFM layer in a read sensor

Family Cites Families (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2613906B2 (ja) 1987-12-28 1997-05-28 日本放送協会 薄膜磁気ヘッド及びその製造方法
JP2546875B2 (ja) * 1988-03-02 1996-10-23 株式会社日立製作所 磁気抵抗効果型ヘッド
JP3022023B2 (ja) * 1992-04-13 2000-03-15 株式会社日立製作所 磁気記録再生装置
US5580667A (en) 1992-06-30 1996-12-03 Hmt Technology Corporation Multilayered medium with gradient isolation layer
EP0678213B1 (en) 1992-11-16 2003-02-19 NVE Corporation Magnetoresistive structure with alloy layer
GB9224003D0 (en) 1992-11-16 1993-01-06 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Magnetic recording materials
JPH06243427A (ja) 1992-12-25 1994-09-02 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 薄膜磁気ヘッド
US5422571A (en) 1993-02-08 1995-06-06 International Business Machines Corporation Magnetoresistive spin valve sensor having a nonmagnetic back layer
US5874886A (en) 1994-07-06 1999-02-23 Tdk Corporation Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetoresistance device
US5528440A (en) 1994-07-26 1996-06-18 International Business Machines Corporation Spin valve magnetoresistive element with longitudinal exchange biasing of end regions abutting the free layer, and magnetic recording system using the element
US6088204A (en) * 1994-12-01 2000-07-11 International Business Machines Corporation Magnetoresistive magnetic recording head with permalloy sensor layer deposited with substrate heating
US5608593A (en) 1995-03-09 1997-03-04 Quantum Peripherals Colorado, Inc. Shaped spin valve type magnetoresistive transducer and method for fabricating the same incorporating domain stabilization technique
US5909345A (en) * 1996-02-22 1999-06-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Magnetoresistive device and magnetoresistive head
US5708358A (en) 1996-03-21 1998-01-13 Read-Rite Corporation Spin valve magnetoresistive transducers having permanent magnets
US5793279A (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-08-11 Read-Rite Corporation Methods and compositions for optimizing interfacial properties of magnetoresistive sensors
JP3827789B2 (ja) * 1996-12-27 2006-09-27 株式会社東芝 磁気抵抗効果ヘッド
JP2914339B2 (ja) 1997-03-18 1999-06-28 日本電気株式会社 磁気抵抗効果素子並びにそれを用いた磁気抵抗効果センサ及び磁気抵抗検出システム
US5871622A (en) 1997-05-23 1999-02-16 International Business Machines Corporation Method for making a spin valve magnetoresistive sensor
JPH1196513A (ja) * 1997-09-17 1999-04-09 Fujitsu Ltd 磁気ヘッド及びこれを有する磁気記憶装置
US6061210A (en) 1997-09-22 2000-05-09 International Business Machines Corporation Antiparallel pinned spin valve with high magnetic stability
US6141191A (en) * 1997-12-05 2000-10-31 International Business Machines Corporation Spin valves with enhanced GMR and thermal stability
US6313973B1 (en) 1998-06-30 2001-11-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Laminated magnetorestrictive element of an exchange coupling film, an antiferromagnetic film and a ferromagnetic film and a magnetic disk drive using same
JP3234814B2 (ja) 1998-06-30 2001-12-04 株式会社東芝 磁気抵抗効果素子、磁気ヘッド、磁気ヘッドアセンブリ及び磁気記録装置
KR100334838B1 (ko) 1998-07-21 2002-05-04 가타오카 마사타카 스핀밸브형 박막소자 및 그를 이용한 박막자기헤드
US6122150A (en) * 1998-11-09 2000-09-19 International Business Machines Corporation Antiparallel (AP) pinned spin valve sensor with giant magnetoresistive (GMR) enhancing layer
US6348274B1 (en) 1998-12-28 2002-02-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Magnetoresistive element and magnetic recording apparatus
US6201673B1 (en) 1999-04-02 2001-03-13 Read-Rite Corporation System for biasing a synthetic free layer in a magnetoresistance sensor
US6208491B1 (en) 1999-05-26 2001-03-27 International Business Machines Corporation Spin valve with improved capping layer structure
US6278592B1 (en) 1999-08-17 2001-08-21 Seagate Technology Llc GMR spin valve having a bilayer TaN/NiFeCr seedlayer to improve GMR response and exchange pinning field
US6271997B1 (en) 1999-11-22 2001-08-07 International Business Machines Corporation Read head spin valve sensor with triple antiparallel coupled free layer structure

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6700755B2 (en) 2001-05-31 2004-03-02 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V. Spin valve sensor with modified magnetostriction
US6674617B2 (en) 2002-03-07 2004-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Tunnel junction sensor with a multilayer free-layer structure
US7360298B2 (en) * 2003-07-30 2008-04-22 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V. Method of manufacturing a magnetic bias pinning layer for a GMR sensor of a magnetic head
US7155810B2 (en) * 2003-09-30 2007-01-02 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V. Method for fabricating a magnetic head
US7475471B2 (en) 2003-09-30 2009-01-13 Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V. Method for fabricating a magnetic head

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6791807B1 (en) 2004-09-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6791807B1 (en) Spin-valve magnetic transducing element and magnetic head having free layer with negative magnetostriction
JP3291208B2 (ja) 磁気抵抗効果型センサおよびその製造方法とそのセンサを備えた磁気ヘッド
JP3255872B2 (ja) スピンバルブ型薄膜素子及びその製造方法
KR100379981B1 (ko) 스핀밸브형 자기저항효과 소자 및 그것을 구비한박막자기헤드와 그들의 제조방법
US5600297A (en) Magnetic field sensor
KR100330950B1 (ko) 스핀밸브형 자기저항 박막소자
US20060012924A1 (en) GMR sensor having a reference layer with movable magnetization
US20090080125A1 (en) Magnetic head
KR100284779B1 (ko) 스핀밸브 자기저항효과형 자기헤드 및 자기 디스크 장치
JP2001076479A (ja) 磁気メモリ素子
JP2000150235A (ja) スピンバルブ磁気抵抗センサ及び薄膜磁気ヘッド
JP3449160B2 (ja) 磁気抵抗効果素子及びそれを用いた回転センサ
KR20000053639A (ko) 스핀밸브형 자기저항 효과소자와 그 제조방법
JPH09270544A (ja) 巨大磁気抵抗効果素子
JPH10269532A (ja) スピンバルブ型磁気抵抗効果ヘッド
JP2000311317A (ja) スピンバルブ磁気抵抗センサ及びその製造方法、薄膜磁気ヘッド
JPH09106913A (ja) 磁電変換素子
JPH08147631A (ja) 磁気記録再生装置
JP2661068B2 (ja) 磁気抵抗効果型磁気ヘッド
JPH10320721A (ja) 磁気抵抗効果ヘッド
JP3083090B2 (ja) 磁気抵抗センサ
JP2000182221A (ja) 磁気抵抗効果素子
JPH08297814A (ja) 磁気抵抗効果素子
JPH11203634A (ja) 磁気抵抗効果型ヘッド
JPH07107731B2 (ja) ヨ−ク型薄膜磁気ヘツド