Patent ID: 6754056
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A magnetic head assembly that has an air bearing surface (ABS) comprising:a read head including that has a current perpendicular to planes (CPP) sensor; the CPP sensor comprising: a ferromagnetic pinned layer that has a magnetic moment; an antiferromagnetic pinning layer exchange coupled to the pinned layer for pinning the magnetic moment of the pinned layer; a ferromagnetic free layer structure that has a magnetic moment; and a nonmagnetic spacer layer located between the free layer structure and the pinned layer; each of the pinned layer and the spacer layer having first and second side surfaces which are perpendicular to the ABS; first and second electrically nonconductive antiferromagnetic (AFM) layers; the first AFM layer interfacing the first side surfaces of the pinned and spacer layers and the second AFM layer interfacing the second side surfaces of the pinned and spacer layers so as to define a track width of the read head between said first and second side surfaces of the pinned and spacer layers; the free layer structure having first and second lateral extensions which extend laterally away from first and second side extremities respectively of said track width; and said first and second AFM layers being exchange coupled to the first and second lateral extensions respectively commencing at said first and second side extremities of the track width respectively and extending laterally therefrom for longitudinally biasing the first and second lateral extensions respectively of the free layer structure and thence a central portion of the free layer structure within said track width.