Patent ID: 7085111
Filing Date: 2006-08-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A spin valve magnetoresistive sensor, comprising: a ferromagnetic pinned layer; a conducting nonmagnetic layer disposed over said pinned layer; a ferromagnetic free layer disposed over said conducting nonmagnetic layer; a nonmagnetic coupling layer disposed over said free layer, said nonmagnetic coupling layer having a first portion and a second portion; a ferromagnetic bias layer disposed over said nonmagnetic coupling layer, said ferromagnetic bias layer having a central portion having a quenched magnetic moment and first and second end portions; a first antiparallel coupled bias stabilization tab comprising: said first end portion of said ferromagnetic bias layer formed over said first portion of said nonmagnetic coupling layer, a first cap layer formed over said first end portion of said ferromagnetic bias layer, a first protective cap layer formed over said first cap layer, a first lead layer formed over the first protective cap layer, and a first overcoat formed over the first lead layer; a second antiparallel coupled bias stabilization tab comprising: said second end portion of said ferromagnetic bias layer formed over said second portion of said nonmagnetic coupling layer, a second cap layer formed over said second end portion of said ferromagnetic bias layer, a second protective cap layer formed over said second cap layer, a second lead layer formed over the second protective cap layer, and a second overcoat formed over the second lead layer; the first and second cap layers, said first and second protective cap layers, and the first and second overcoats are discontinuous, respectively, and spaced apart from each other, respectively, over the central portion of the ferromagnetic bias layer; and the first and second overcoats contact portions of the first and second cap layers and the first and second protective cap layers, respectively.