Patent ID: 6522134
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for establishing magnetic orientations in first and second directions of an array of read heads in a head disk assembly, one group of read heads in the array facing a first direction and another group of read heads in the array facing a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, each read head including a spin valve sensor which has a pinning layer, the method comprising:applying a first external magnetic field to the array of read heads in said first direction; during application of the external magnetic field, applying a pulse of electrical current to each spin valve sensor with sufficient amplitude and duration to permit magnetic spins of pinning layer in the spin valve sensors to rotate because of heat generated by said pulse of electrical current; ending said pulse of electrical current; after ending said pulse of electrical current, removing the first external magnetic field; and applying a second external magnetic field to the array of read heads in said second direction for a predetermined time and then removing the second external magnetic field.