Patent ID: 6208491
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic read head comprising:a spin valve sensor including:an antiferromagnetic pinning layer;a ferromagnetic pinned layered structure exchange coupled to the pinning layer and having a magnetic moment pinned by the pinning layer in a first direction;a ferromagnetic free layer having a magnetic moment oriented in a second direction when not subjected to an applied magnetic field emanating from a source outside the read head;a nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer located between the pinned layer structure and the free layer;a cap layered structure;the free layer being located between the cap layered structure and the spacer layer; andthe cap layered structure including:a cobalt (Co) or cobalt iron (CoFe) first cap layer;a nonmagnetic electrically conductive second cap layer; andthe first cap layer being located between the free layer and the second cap layer.