Patent ID: 7606008
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A device having a spin valve, comprising: a magnetic sensor including, a free layer having an adjustable magnetization direction in response to a magnetic field, a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization stabilized in accordance with a first antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned on a surface of the pinned layer opposite a spacer sandwiched between the pinned layer and the free layer, a buffer sandwiched between the first AFM layer and a bottom shield that shields undesired flux at a lower surface of the magnetic sensor, and a capping layer sandwiched between the free layer and a top shield that shields undesired flux at an upper surface of the magnetic sensor; and a stabilizer positioned adjacent to the magnetic sensor and separated from the magnetic sensor by an insulator layer, the stabilizer comprising a pinned ferromagnetic stabilizer positioned on the insulator layer adjacent to the free layer and pinned by a second AFM layer sandwiched between the pinned ferromagnetic stabilizer and an upper insulator upon which the shield is positioned.