Patent ID: 7123455
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In a magnetic read head having an air bearing surface (ABS), a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor for connection to sense circuitry for detecting changes in electrical resistance within the sensor, the sensor comprising: a MTJ stack with an active region disposed at the ABS and having two opposite sides each disposed generally orthogonally to the ABS, the MTJ stack comprising: a second antiferromagnetic layer formed from an insulating antiferromagnetic material formed on and in contact with the free layer outside of the active region for biasing the magnetic moment of the free layer in substantially a predetermined direction in the absence of an external magnetic field; and first and second electrically conductive leads, the MTJ stack being sandwiched between the first and second leads, and wherein the free layer is adjacent to the first electrically conductive lead, and the second antiferromagnetic material extends from the free layer to the second electrically conductive lead.