Patent ID: 6278589
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic read head, which has a spin valve sensor and an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:the spin valve sensor including:an antiferromagnetic pinning layer;ferromagnetic first and second pinned layer structures;the pinning layer being located between the first and second pinned layer structures and pinning a magnetic moment of each of the first and second pinned layer structures in a pinned direction;ferromagnetic first and second free layers;nonmagnetic electrically conductive first and second spacer layers;the first spacer layer being located between the first pinned layer structure and the first free layer and the second spacer layer being located between the second pinned layer structure and the second free layer;upon the conduction of a sense current through the spin valve sensor, the first free layer having a magnetic moment that is oriented in a first direction and the second free layer having a magnetic moment that is oriented in a second direction;upon conduction of the sense current through the spin valve sensor and application of an applied field of single polarity, the first pinned layer structure, the first free layer and the first spacer layer therebetween producing a first spin valve effect and the second pinned layer structure, the second free layer and the second spacer layer therebetween producing a second spin valve effect; andthe pinned direction of the magnetic moments of the first and second pinned layer structures and the first and second directions of the magnetic moments of the first and second free layers being such that said first and second spin valve effects are additive upon said conduction of the sense current and said application of the applied field.