Abstract: A method and system are provided for implementing discrete step stabilization of AMR read sensors in tape or disk drives. In one implementation, a plurality of discrete step stabilizers and AMR read sensor elements are arranged with a rotational symmetry coupled with a plane inversion for an odd number of steps, and no inversion for an even number of steps. Preferably, the steps are oriented at 45 degrees, or approximately parallel to the desired bias direction. For relatively narrow track widths (e.g., approximately 5 microns), the edges of the sensor element nearest the permanent magnets are especially important to stabilize. Therefore, in one implementation, an edge of a stabilizer preferably intersects the edge of the sensor element at one half of the stripe height. Also, the rising and falling edges of the stabilizers do not always have the same slope.

Abstract: A dual-stripe element magnetroresistive read head for reading information from a magnetic tape. The read head includes a first insulating layer, a first active magnetoresistive layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the first active magnetoresistive layer, a second active magnetoresistive layer formed on the second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer formed on the second active magnetoresistive layer. The second active magnetoresistive layer is magnetostatically coupled to the first active magnetoresistive layer. A periodic structure is formed on a surface of the first insulator layer. As the remaining layers are formed on the first insulating layer, the periodic structure is replicated throughout the read head. Thus, the periodic structure formed on the first insulator layer stabilizes both the first and second active layers via magnetic domain pinning for both layers along the edges of the periodic structure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive read head having a corrugated magnetoresistive layer wherein the corrugated section does not encroach on magnetic elements on either end of the magnetoresistive layer. The corrugations in the magnetoresistive layer stabilize the magnetization in the center region of the read head, while the magnetic elements stabilize the magnetization at the ends. By separating the two stabilization methods, unfavorable interactions between them is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for step-stabilization of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) based read heads are provided. With the apparatus and method, gratings or periodic structures are generated in the underlayer of the magnetoresistive (MR) sensor stack and the edges, or “steps”, in these structures are the magnetically active features. These “steps” are oriented approximately parallel to the desired bias direction and provide a restoring force towards the bias direction for any perturbations, whether intrinsic or extrinsic. In the case of a GMR sensor, where the easy axis is parallel to the permanent magnet set direction, these stabilizer steps are oriented parallel to the magnetization direction of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head having one or more magneto-resistive (MR) elements. A thermally conductive stud is incorporated in an underlayer of the head, below the bottom shield of the MR element. This stud acts as a heat sink, and enhances the heat flow from the bottom shield to the substrate to thereby reduce thermal contact noise in the device, as well as allowing use of higher bias currents when reading signals from the media.

Abstract: A multi-element read-write magnetic recording head for recording information on a magnetic tape and for reading recorded information therefrom is provided. The recording head comprises an equal number of associated read elements and write elements to form a two-gap recording head comprising pairs of read and write elements. The two-gap recording head further comprises a first module and a second module, the first and second modules each comprising a plurality of read and write head elements. A first group of read and write heads is configured to perform in a forward direction of movement of the magnetic tape and a second group of read and write heads is configured to perform in a reverse direction of movement of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive read/write tape head is provided for reading and writing to tape media along a tape head face. The tape head comprises a plurality of modules, each module comprising a read element and a write element spaced apart and terminating at the tape head face and formed over a substrate. The read element comprises a soft film bias layer and a hard film bias layer butted against the SFB layer. The write element comprises two pole tips spaced apart by a gap. The tape head further includes a plurality of activating conducting coil turns operatively associated with the write element and covered by a cross-linked photoresist and positioned between the gap and one of the pole tips and set back from the tape head face.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor design and fabrication process that provides improved microtrack profile linearity for servo elements while simultaneously providing stable and linear data sensing elements suitable for high density tape head applications. The stability and uniformity of both data and servo sensor elements is enhanced through the use of a grating profile under both the soft film biased magnetoresistive sensor layer and the hard bias stabilizing magnets. Processing steps are eliminated by replicating the grating pattern for the servo sensor elements through a thick layer of alumina or silicon dioxide. The outer read shield is removed from the servo elements using a stripping process that eliminates structural damage arising from alumina pinhole's. Both element types are free of significant Barkhausen noise and instability because of the grating-stabilized domains in both the active magnetoresistive regions and the passive hard-biasing regions of each sensor.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor design and fabrication process that provides improved microtrack profile linearity for servo elements while simultaneously providing stable and linear data sensing elements suitable for high density tape head applications. The stability and uniformity of both data and servo sensor elements is enhanced through the use of a grating profile under both the soft film biased magnetoresistive sensor layer and the hard bias stabilizing magnets. Processing steps are eliminated by replicating the grating pattern for the servo sensor elements through a thick layer of alumina or silicon dioxide. The outer read shield is removed from the servo elements using a stripping process that eliminates structural damage arising from alumina pinholes. Both element types are free of significant Barkhausen noise and instability because of the grating-stabilized domains in both the active magnetoresistive regions and the passive hard-biasing regions of each sensor.