Patent ID: 7369371
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive sensor, comprising: a pinned layer; a free layer; a spacer layer sandwiched between the free layer and the pinned layer; and the pinned layer, free layer and spacer layer each have an edge located at an air bearing surface; the free layer extends from the ABS to a stripe height location; the pinned layer has an active portion that is disposed between the ABS and stripe height location and an extended portion that extends beyond the stripe height location away from the ABS, the active portion and the extended portion being laterally aligned with one another; and an electrically conductive material extending laterally from the sides of the sensor and extending from the ABS to the stripe height location, the electrically conductive material terminating at the stripe height location.