Patent ID: 7203039
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: B82Y,C21D,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetic read head, comprising: on a lower magnetic shield a first insulator layer; on said first insulator layer, a bottom spin valve, including a first antiferromagnetic layer, whose topmost layer is a centrally located capping layer directly beneath which is a free layer; said bottom spin valve having two opposing sides that slope downwards away from said capping layer; on said sloping sides a first layer of nickel iron; on said first layer of nickel iron a second layer of antiferromagnetic material that, in combination with said first layer of nickel iron, provides a permanent longitudinal bias, in a first direction, to said spin valve; on said second antiferromagnetic layer, a layer of non-magnetic material having a thickness that is sufficient to eliminate exchange coupling; on said layer of non-magnetic material, a second layer of nickel iron that has been magnetized in a direction that is anti-parallel to said first direction; on said second layer of nickel iron, a conductive lead layer; on said lead layer and said capping layer, a second insulator layer; and on said second insulator layer, an upper magnetic shield.