Patent ID: 6943995
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A spin valve device comprising: a gap layer, a single buffer layer having a top surface comprising a layer of a single refractory material formed on the top surface of the gap layer, patterned underlayers formed directly over the buffer layer including layers selected from as follows: an inwardly tapered depression formed extending through 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: a free layer, a spacer layer, a pinned layer, an upper antiferromagnetic layer, and conductors formed either on the surface of the upper antiferromagnetic layer aside from the depression or between the buffer layer and the patterned underlayers, whereby the patterned underlayers which are located aside from the inwardly tapered depression provide trackwidth and longitudinal bias.