Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a first shield, a read sensor, at least one soft magnetic bias structure and at least one hard bias structure. The read sensor includes a sensor layer that has at least one edge in the track width direction along the ABS. The soft magnetic bias structure(s) are adjacent to the edge(s) of the sensor layer. The soft magnetic bias structure has a first permeability. The soft bias structure(s) are between the read sensor and the hard bias structure(s). The hard bias structure(s) are adjacent to a portion of the soft bias structure(s) and have a second permeability. The first permeability is at least ten multiplied by the second permeability.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a first shield, a read sensor, at least one soft magnetic bias structure and at least one hard bias structure. The read sensor includes a sensor layer that has at least one edge in the track width direction along the ABS. The soft magnetic bias structure(s) are adjacent to the edge(s) of the sensor layer. The soft magnetic bias structure has a first permeability. The soft bias structure(s) are between the read sensor and the hard bias structure(s). The hard bias structure(s) are adjacent to a portion of the soft bias structure(s) and have a second permeability. The first permeability is at least ten multiplied by the second permeability.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic read transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a first shield, a second shield, and a read sensor between the first shield and the second shield. The read sensor extends along a stripe height direction perpendicular to the ABS. A first portion of the read sensor at the ABS has a first width in a track width direction parallel to the ABS. A second portion of the read sensor is recessed from the ABS along the stripe height direction and has a second width in the track width direction. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic element are described. The method and system include providing a pinned layer, fabricating a metallic spacer layer and oxidizing a portion of the spacer layer in an environment including at least oxygen and a gas inert with respect to the spacer layer to provide an oxide layer. The method and system also include creating a free layer. The oxide layer is between a remaining metallic portion of the spacer layer and the free layer. In one aspect, the system includes a chamber and a gas diffusion apparatus within the chamber. The gas diffusion apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles and defines a plane. The gas exits each of the plurality of nozzles in a cone having an apex angle. The nozzles are directed at a nozzle tilt angle of at least half of the apex angle from the plane and the spacer layer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a spin filter is disclosed. The method and system include providing a pinned layer, a free layer, and a conductive nonmagnetic spacer layer between the pinned layer and the free layer. The method and system also include providing a spin filter layer and a capping layer on the spin filter layer. The spin filter layer is adjacent to the free layer. The spin filter layer is on an opposite side of the free layer as the nonmagnetic spacer layer and includes at least Pt and/or Rh. The capping layer has a specular reflection layer therein. In one aspect, the specular reflection layer allows specular reflection of current carriers traveling from the spin filter layer to the specular reflection layer. In another aspect, the specular reflection layer includes at least Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Al, Mo, W, Si, Cr, V, Ni, Co, and Fe.

Abstract: A read element includes a magnetoresistive sensor having a side and an upper surface that defines an edge. An underlayer overlies the side of the magnetoresistive sensor, and a hard bias layer overlies at least part of the underlayer and defines a hard bias junction with the underlayer. A lead is formed atop the hard bias layer. The hard bias junction is recessed from the edge of the magnetoresistive sensor by a predetermined recess distance, to provide stability and sensitivity to the read element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head achieves maximum signal output with minimal electromigration by use of two increased direct currents with different polarities which are directed periodically through a magnetoresistive element in opposite directions, with minimal long term directional diffusion for minimizing electromigration and for increasing the signal output. The magnetoresistive element defines two magnetic centers MC.sup.+ and MC.sup.- that correspond to the polarities of the two currents, and the magnetic centers are positioned at optimal magnetic locations.