Patent ID: 7719801
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive (MR) element, comprising: a pinning layer; a pinned layer; a spacer/barrier layer having a front edge coplanar with a sensing surface of the MR element, and having a back edge opposite the front edge; and a free layer having a front edge coplanar with the sensing surface, and having a back edge opposite the front edge, wherein the back edge of the free layer extends past the back edge of the spacer/barrier layer, wherein the portion of the free layer that extends past the back edge of the spacer/barrier layer defines a continuous flux guide; wherein the length of the flux guide is in the range of 0.5 to 2 times the length of the spacer/barrier layer; wherein the conductive characteristics of the flux guide have been reduced with a fabricating process.