Patent ID: 6040961
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B

Abstract:
A soft anti-parallel (AP)-pinned spin valve (SV) sensor, comprising:a free layer made of cobalt (Co) having a magnetization direction;an AP-pinned layer, said AP-pinned layer including:a first pinned layer of low coercivity ferromagnetic material;a second pinned layer of ferromagnetic material comprising a first sub-layer of low coercivity material and a second sub-layer of high coercivity material, said second sub-layer coercivity being higher than said first sub-layer coercivity and said first pinned layer coercivity; andan anti-parallel coupling layer disposed between said first pinned layer and said first sub-layer; and a non-magnetic, electrically conducting spacer layer disposed between said free layer and said second sub-layer.