Patent ID: 6504689
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic read head, which has an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:a ferromagnetic pinned layer which has a magnetic moment; an antiferromagnetic pinning layer exchange coupled to the pinned layer for pinning the magnetic moment of the pinned layer in a predetermined direction; a ferromagnetic free layer which has a magnetic moment; a nonmagnetic insulative barrier layer between the free and pinned layers; each of the free layer and the pined layer having oppositely facing first and second edges that are recessed from the ABS; a ferromagnetic first flux guide layer magnetically coupled to the free layer; and the first flux guide layer having oppositely facing first and second edges with the first edge being located at the ABS and the second edge abutting the first edge of the free layer.