Patent ID: 7057864
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tunnel valve sensor, comprising: a tunnel valve disposed at a first shield layer, the tunnel valve comprising a free layer distal to the first shield layer; a first insulation layer formed over the first shield layer and abutting the sides of the tunnel valve; a flux guide deposited over the first insulation layer and onto a portion of a first and second side of the tunnel valve, the flux guide making contact with the tunnel valve at the free layer only on the first and second sides of the tunnel valve with a gap therebetween; a second insulation layer disposed over the flux guide and onto only a portion of the tunnel valve to encapsulate the flux guide and to leave a portion of the tunnel valve exposed; and a second shield layer deposited over the second insulation, wherein the flux guide is physically isolated from the first and second shield layers by the first and second insulation layers to prevent current shunts therefrom.