Abstract: A magnetoresistive head having a split coil structure including multiple, similar coil layers separated by an insulator and joined at their ends to define parallel electrical paths. The coil passes through a magnetic yoke having an open end and a closed end and is electrically insulated from the yoke. The parallel electrical paths of the separate coil layers can each be modeled as a resistor in series with an inductor, each of the paths also being in parallel with a capacitor. The split coil has a much faster current rise time than a comparable single layer coil or than multiple coils connected in series. Since the coil current provides the magneto-motive force for imparting a signal on a passing recording medium, the decreased current rise time corresponds to an increased data recording rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an write head having an improved upper pole tip-to-yoke stitch. The upper pole tip is formed having an open faced sloping surface at an end of the pole tip distal from an air bearing surface. Preferably the angle of the sloping surface is about 30 degrees. The sloping surface provides a shallow angle for depositing the yoke material over which improves the magnetic properties of the yoke material, particularly in the case of sputtered high moment magnetic materials, and improves the flux flow path through the yoke. As such, the present invention allows conductor coils to be located closer to the air bearing surface without sacrificing yoke material properties and flux flow. The upper pole tip may have a back portion which is formed over an insulation layer located between a write gap layer and a conductor layer. Preferably the insulation layer and the conductor layer or layers are formed having sloping edges with shallow angles of about 30 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication. In a preferred embodiment, the wall/walls of an MR element opposing a bias layer are formed by over etching to provide vertical side walls without taper. In the preferred embodiment, a protective element is formed over the MR element to protect it during etch processes. In some embodiments, a filler layer is deposited prior to bias layer formation. In CIP embodiments, any portion of the filler layer forming on vertical side walls of the MR element is etched to provide an exposed side wall surface for contiguous bias layer formation. In CPP embodiments, the filler layer forms on a vertical back wall and electrically insulates the MR element from the bias layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive write element has a plurality of coils disposed between a first and second pole. A first coil having inner and outer contacts is provided on top of a layer of insulation on top of the first pole. A write gap material above the first coil separates the poles at a yoke tip region to form a write gap therebetween. Second and third coils wound in the form of a single bifilar coil are provided on top of the write gap material, each having an inner and an outer contact portion. Electrical connection between the inner contact of the first coil and the inner contact of the second coil is provided through a via in the write gap material. An insulation layer above the second and third coils provides separation from a fourth coil provided thereabove. The fourth coil also has inner and outer contact portions.

Abstract: A GMR spin valve is provided for reading a magnetic signal from a magnetic recording medium. The spin valve includes a non-magnetic layer such as for example copper, separated by first and second magnetic layers. The spin valve includes a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer, the resistance of the spin valve changing with the relative angle between the direction of magnetization of free and pinned layers. Extremely smooth surfaces are provided at the interfaces between the non-magnetic layer and the adjacent magnetic layers. This smooth interface greatly enhances the performance and reliability of the spin valve by allowing extremely tight control of the thickness of the non-magnetic layer and by preventing atomic diffusion between the non-magnetic and magnetic layers. This smooth interface is achieved by including a surfactant in the deposition of the non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exchange break to define the track width of a read head by selectively isolating an exchange coupling layer from an underlying ferromagnetic layer. In the preferred embodiment, the exchange break is provided over a portion of the free layer of a spin valve device so that it inhibits exchange coupling between an overlying portion of the exchange coupling layer and the underlying free layer to define an active region. It is preferred to form the exchange break of an electrically insulating material, to inhibit current shunting through the exchange break, and of a material that easily etches, to minimize inadvertent etching of the underlying free layer and to ensure complete removal of exchange break material when forming the exchange break from an exchange break layer. A reentrant profile photoresist structure may be used to define the exchange break and to define the exchange coupling layer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a head for reading data is disclosed. The method and system include providing a magnetoresistive element and providing a flux guide having a high resistivity. The magnetoresistive element has an end. The flux guide also has an end. The end of the flux guide is adjacent to the end of the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a write head having an interlaced conductor coil winding and method of fabrication. The interlaced winding of the present invention may have alternating turns of a first and a second coil. In the preferred embodiment, the side walls of successive coil turns are separated by an ultra thin inorganic insulation which defines the distance between successive turns of the first and second coil. In one method of fabrication, a conductive seed layer is deposited on a generally planar insulative surface, a resist mask is formed on the seed layer, and a conductive material deposited on the exposed seed layer to form the turns of the first coil. The masked portions of the seed layer are removed, after resist mask removal, to electrically isolate the turns of the first coil. The inorganic insulation may be formed in a layer conformal with the first coil. The second coil is formed between the turns of the first coil.

Abstract: A write element for recording data on a magnetic medium includes a first pole and a second pole separated by a non-magnetic, electrically insulating write gap layer. In addition, a coil layer is recessed into the first pole and is electrically insulated from the first pole by a coil insulation layer, and form the second pole by a coil separation layer. The coil layer includes at least one coil turn, each of which are transversely separated from an adjacent coil turn by a coil turn divider. In some embodiments, the coil turn dividers are integral with and therefore formed of the same material as the first pole. The coil layer, first pole, and coil turn dividers are planarized before formation of the coil separation layer. Also, a second pole pedestal can be connected to the second pole at the air bearing surface, and separated from the first pole by the write gap layer. A highly heat conductive material can be disposed below the first pole as an undercoat.

Abstract: A compact write element for magnetically recording data on a magnetic medium and methods for making the same. The write element includes a conductive shield layer, an insulating write gap layer, a pole pedestal, a coil, and a conductive pole layer, with some embodiments further including a backgap. The pole pedestal, coil, and in some embodiments the backgap, constitute a self-aligned array of components that may be formed with a single masking operation to allow for very tight tolerances between the components for a shorter yoke length. The pole layer of the present invention is substantially flat and parallel to the conductive shield layer, providing for a shorter stack height. The present invention includes incorporation of the compact write element in both a read/write head and a magnetic data storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a magnetoresistive head is disclosed. The method and system include providing a first gap and providing a seed layer. The seed layer is disposed above the first gap and has a space therein. The method and system further include providing a magnetoresistive element substantially covering the space in the seed layer and providing a hard bias layer above the seed layer. A portion of the hard bias layer is immediately adjacent to a portion of the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetoresistive head that reads data from a recording media is disclosed. The method and system include providing a first shield, a second shield, a magnetoresistive sensor, and a lead. The first shield has a first end, a central portion and a second end. The first end is closer to the recording media during use than the second end. The second shield has a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end of the second shield is separated from the first end of the first shield by a read gap. The central portion of the second shield is separated from the central portion of the first shield by a distance that is greater than the read gap. The magnetoresistive sensor is disposed between the first shield and the second shield and has a front end and a back end. The front end of the magnetoresistive sensor is electrically coupled with the first end of the first shield or the first end of the second shield.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for formation of the upper magnetic pole layer of a thin film magnetic head. The presently described method for formation of the upper magnetic pole layer of a thin film magnetic head enables the formation with submicron precision of a resist layer for use in forming the upper magnetic pole layer, which must necessarily be formed on a surface having a step, which can contribute to further improvement of areal recording densities. A frame for use in forming the upper magnetic pole layer is formed from multiple resist layers, and the relatively thick lower resist layer is formed by a vacuum thin film formation method.

Abstract: A soft adjacent layer made from a ternary alloy material and a MR sensor utilizing this soft adjacent layer. The ternary alloy material CoXY includes cobalt (Co), a first transition metal X and a second transition metal Y. In a preferred embodiment, X is niobium (Nb) and Y is titanium (Ti) so that the resulting ternary alloy material is CoNbTi. Alternatively, X and Y may be any transition metals such that the resulting ternary alloy material CoXY exhibits properties similar to CoNbTi. The high-density MR sensor of the present invention includes a SAL made from the ternary alloy material, a MR layer and a non-magnetic spacer sandwiched between the SAL and MR layer.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a thin film write head having upper and lower pole structures. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a middle coat insulation layer is located over a yoke of the lower pole structure and adjacent a pedestal pole tip of the lower pole structure. A trench is formed in the middle coat layer by etching part way into the middle coat layer. A conductor coil is formed on the middle coat so that a portion of the coil is located within the trench and a portion above the trench. Preferably, the middle coat is planarized and then etched using a resist mask to form the trench. With one method, the resist mask is removed after etching the trench, a conductor seed layer deposited, a resist mask formed on the seed layer, a conductor coil formed within the mask, and the seed layer etched after resist mask removal to electrically isolate the turns of the coil.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a spin valve for use in a magnetoresistive head is disclosed. The method and system include providing a synthetic pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer. The free layer has a first magnetization canted from a first direction by a first angle. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is disposed between the free layer and the synthetic pinned layer. The synthetic pinned layer has a second magnetization in a second direction. The second direction is canted from a third direction that is transverse to the first direction by a second angle. The second magnetization is substantially orthogonal to the first magnetization.

Abstract: A magnetic force microscope (MFM) needle has a magnetic material with a magnetic moment that is pinned in a preferred direction. The magnetic moment can be of lower than conventional magnitude without risking an undesirable change in the direction of magnetization. The magnetic needle can have a ferromagnetic layer (or layers) that is stabilized by an antiferromagnetic layer (or layers). The needle can be employed as a magnetoresistance sensitivity microscope (MSM) to map the sensitivity of a magnetic sensor, such as a magnetoresistive (MR) or giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor. Alternatively, the needle can be employed in measuring magnetic fields, such as with a high frequency magnetic force microscope (HFMFM).

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetoresistive sensor for reading data from a recording media is disclosed. The method and system include providing a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer and providing a free layer disposed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer. The free layer is ferromagnetic. The method and system also include providing a first pinned layer and a second pinned layer. The first pinned layer and the second pinned layer are ferromagnetic. The first barrier layer is disposed between the first pinned layer and one edge of the free layer. The second barrier layer is disposed between the second pinned layer and another edge of the free layer. The method and system also include providing a first antiferromagnetic layer and a second antiferromagnetic layer. The first pinned layer is magnetically coupled to the first antiferromagnetic layer. The second pinned layer is magnetically coupled to the second antiferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A thin film head apparatus and method for forming such a thin film head. In one approach, the present invention recites forming a cavity in a dielectric layer. Next, a layer of high magnetic field saturation (HBsat) material is sputter-deposited over the dielectric layer such that the HBsat material is deposited into the cavity formed in the dielectric layer. The cavity in the dielectric layer functions as a mold or “stencil” for the HBsat material. The HBsat material deposited into the cavity is used to form the first core of a thin film head. After the formation of the first core of the thin film head, a gap layer of material is deposited above the dielectric layer and above the first core. Next, a layer of HBsat material is sputter-deposited above the gap layer of material and above the first core of the thin film head. The layer of HBsat material disposed above the gap layer of material and above the first core is used to form the second core of the thin film head.