Patent ID: 6134088
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An electromagnetic head for a storage device, comprising a magnetic core forming a magnetic circuit, the magnetic core being interrupted by a first air-gap for magnetic coupling with a memory cell of the device and by at least one second air-gap which separates a first and a second pole of the magnetic core, and magnetoresistive means disposed in the region of the second air-gap for reading the memory cell, wherein the magnetoresistive means are connected to the magnetic core in correspondence with the first pole and the second pole so as to be connected in the magnetic circuit, the magnetoresistive means including a transverse magnetoresistor having a central body disposed in the second air-gap, the head further comprising a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the magnetoresistor in proximity to the second air-gap transversely relative to the magnetic core in order to measure a resistance of the magnetoresistor; andan insulating layer disposed between the magnetoresistor and the magnetic core in a manner such that the magnetoresistor is connected to the magnetic core in the region of a first contact zone and of a second contact zone, the first and second contact zones being separated from the first and second pole tips, respectively, by a distance substantially greater than a distance between the first and second electrodes.