Patent ID: 7599154
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetic sensor having a spin valve, comprising: a free layer having an adjustable magnetization direction in response to a magnetic flux; a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization in accordance with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned on a surface of said pinned layer opposite a spacer sandwiched between said pinned layer and said free layer; a buffer sandwiched between said AFM layer and a bottom shield that shields undesired flux at a first outer surface of said magnetic sensor; a capping layer sandwiched between said free layer and a top shield that shields undesired flux at a second outer surface of said magnetic sensor; a side shield positioned on a side of said magnetic sensor; and an in-stack bias positioned between said capping layer and said top shield vertically and comprising a ferromagnetic layer and a conductive layer sandwiched between the free layer and the ferromagnetic layer, wherein said in-stack bias is substantially wider than said free layer, the in-stack bias extending to cover at least a part of the side shield, and wherein the conductive layer and the ferromagnetic layer cover a same area.