Patent ID: 9361914
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: G11B

Claim Text:
1. A magnetic sensor comprising: a composite layer comprising a free layer portion and a bias layer portion surrounding opposing sides of the free layer portion, each of the free layer portion and the bias layer portion comprising a magnetic material; a first shield layer comprising a magnetic material; a second shield layer comprising a magnetic material; a seed layer between the second shield layer and the composite layer; and a continuous spacer layer comprising a non-magnetic material selected from the group consisting of Ru, Cu, Cr, Au, and Ag, the continuous spacer layer separating the first shield layer from the composite layer such that the magnetic coupling between the first shield layer and the bias layer portion is stronger than the magnetic coupling between the first shield layer and the free layer portion, wherein the continuous spacer layer is disposed between the first shield layer and the free layer portion, wherein the continuous spacer layer is disposed between the first shield layer and the bias layer portion, and wherein the continuous spacer layer contacts the free layer portion.