Patent ID: 6721146
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A spin valve magnetic sensor, comprising:a pinned layer comprising an AP pinned substructure layer, a first ferromagnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer, said first ferromagnetic layer being antiparallel coupled to said second ferromagnetic layer; a first antiferromagnetic layer exchange coupled to said first ferromagnetic layer of said AP pinned substructure; a free layer separated from said pinned layer by a second nonmagnetic layer; and, a second antiferromagnetic layer covering a portion of said free layer and exchange coupled with said portion of said free layer providing magnetic bias stabilization of said free layer, wherein said first and second anti ferromagnetic layers are made of the same material having substantially the same composition and having substantially the same blocking temperature, and said first and second ferromagnetic layers are initialized in a single sequence of heating and subsequent cooling in a magnetic field, wherein said magnetic field is varied from a start value to an optimum value during the single sequence of heating and cooling in said magnetic field.