Patent ID: 7119997

Claim:
A spin valve sensor for a magnetic head, comprising: a free layer structure; an antiparallel (AP) self-pinned layer structure; a non-magnetic electrically conductive spacer layer in between the free layer structure and the AP self-pinned layer structure; the AP self-pinned layer structure being pinned by its magnetostriction and air bearing surface (ABS) stress without any antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer being utilized for pinning; the AP self-pinned layer structure including: a first AP pinned layer comprising a cobalt-iron layer; a second AP pinned layer comprising a cobalt layer and including no iron content; the second AP pinned layer being in closer proximity to the free layer structure than the first AP pinned layer; and an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer formed between the first and the second AP pinned layers.