Patent ID: 6295187
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A magnetic read head having an air bearing surface (ABS) comprising:a spin valve sensor that includes:a ferromagnetic free layer structure having a magnetic moment that is free to rotate from a first direction in response to signal fields from a moving magnetic medium;a ferromagnetic antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure;an antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer exchange coupled to the AP pinned layer structure for pinning a magnetic moment of the AP pinned layer structure in a second direction;a nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer located between the free layer structure and the AP pinned layer structure;the (AP) pinned layer structure including:first and second antiparallel (AP) pinned layers;an antiparallel (AP) coupling layer between the first and second AP pinned layers;the first AP pinned layers including a first pinned film that has a positive magnetostriction and a second pinned film that is composed of cobalt (Co) or cobalt iron (CoFe); andthe second pinned film being located between and interfacing each of the first pinned film and the AP coupling layer.