Patent ID: 6385017
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A spin valve device comprising:a gap layer, a buffer layer having a top surface and which is composed of a refractory material formed over the gap layer, patterned underlayers formed on the buffer layer including: a) a conductor layer formed on the buffer layer, b) a chromium layer formed on the conductor layer, c) a hard biasing permanent magnetic layer formed on the chromium layer, an inwardly tapered depression in the patterned underlayers down to the surface of the buffer layer, a stack of layers formed covering the patterned underlayers and reaching down to cover the inwardly tapered depression including: d) a free layer, e) a spacer layer, f) a pinned layer, g) an upper antiferromagnetic layer, whereby the patterned underlayers, which are located aside from the inwardly tapered depression, provide trackwidth and longitudinal bias.