Abstract: A system for lapping a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor on a slider to a proper height is disclosed. The system comprises simultaneously lapping the MR lap monitor and the MR sensor positioned on the slider until a resistance of a variable resistor located within the MR lap monitor is approximately equal to a resistance of a target resistor located within the MR lap monitor. During the lapping process, a reference resistor located within the lap monitor is compared to both the variable and target resistors to prevent a lapping failure. In one preferred embodiment, the reference, target, and variable resistors are formed from a ferromagnetic metal alloy. The MR lap monitor and the MR sensor are lapped until a height of the ferromagnetic metal alloy forming the variable resistor is approximately equal to a height of the ferromagnetic metal alloy forming the target resistor.

Abstract: A system for lapping a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor on a slider to a proper height is disclosed. The system comprises simultaneously lapping the MR lap monitor and the MR sensor positioned on the slider until a resistance of a variable resistor located within the MR lap monitor is approximately equal to a resistance of a target resistor located within the MR lap monitor. During the lapping process, a reference resistor located within the lap monitor is compared to both the variable and target resistors to prevent a lapping failure. In one preferred embodiment, the reference, target, and variable resistors are formed from a ferromagnetic metal alloy. The MR lap monitor and the MR sensor are lapped until a height of the ferromagnetic metal alloy forming the variable resistor is approximately equal to a height of the ferromagnetic metal alloy forming the target resistor.

Abstract: A magnetic shield in a magnetoresistive head. The magnetic shield includes a lip portion adjacent a magnetoresistive element. The magnetic shield has a height equal to an integer multiple of the domain wall periodicity. The lip has a height approximately equal to the periodicity. The total height of the magnetic shield is approximately an integer multiple of the lip portion. The lip portion provides a stabilizing demagnetization effect which returns the magnetic domain pattern to a preferred hard axis magnetic domain pattern following a disruption to the magnetic domain pattern in either the easy or hard axis of the magnetic shield.

Abstract: An inductive thin film magnetic head carried on a substrate having a reduced susceptibility to the "glitch" effect or "remote read" effect. The inductive thin film head uses a three point approach using hard axis only drive fields, narrow paddles and shortened pole tips which are spaced apart from a saw alley when the substrate is sliced.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor requires only two electrical connections to operate. The magnetoresistive sensor uses a hammerhead design and a barber pole array. Blocking capacitors are used to define two signal paths, one for a DC sense current, and one for an AC data signal. The blocking capacitors provide an electrical short to AC signals across wing regions of the magnetoresistive sensor. The blocking capacitors are fabricated directly upon a wafer which carries the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A single magnetoresistive element ganged MR head sensor. The sensor is comprised of a single magnetoresistive element divided into a plurality of sense regions by more than two electrical contacts, the facing sides of each being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the lower edge of the element. No other transverse biasing is applied and the sensor operates in a non linear mode. The provision of no transverse biasing reduces cross talk.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic data transducer has for reading data a magnetoresistive sensing element with a projection not more than about 1.5 .mu.m. long under at least one of the poles. The projection's tip is approximately flush with the end of the pole, and because of its proximity to the medium, allows greater sensitivity in reading magnetic patterns in the recording medium. As long as the length of the projection is less than about the stated dimension (length measured normal to the medium surface) the sensing element does not break up into domains.

Abstract: A magnetic read head has a first embodiment comprising an elongated magnetoresistive element having a central region and distant ends. The central region has equipotential strips disposed intermediate to its ends, and detection circuitry is electrically connected to these intermediate equipotential strips to sense the changing resistance of the central region in the presence of data magnetically recorded on a medium. In a second embodiment, the magnetoresistive element is folded into a picture frame shape and has its ends joined. The element is vertically arranged so that one of the legs of the element is positioned in proximity to a selected track of a recording medium. A pair of equipotential strips are disposed at opposite ends of the leg to define a sensing region therebetween. Detection circuitry is connected to these equipotential strips to detect the changing resistance of the sensing region in the presence of the magnetic fields of the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic read head has a first embodiment comprising an elongated magnetoresistive element having a central region and distant ends. The central region has equipotential strips disposed intermediate to its ends, and detection circuitry is electrically connected to these intermediate equipotential strips to sense the changing resistance of the central region in the presence of data magnetically recorded on a medium. In a second embodiment, the magnetoresistive element is folded into a picture frame shape and has its ends joined. The element is vertically arranged so that one of the legs of the element is positioned in proximity to a selected track of a recording medium. A pair of equipotential strips are disposed at opposite ends of the leg to define a sensing region therebetween. Detection circuitry is connected to these equipotential strips to detect the changing resistance of the sensing region in the presence of the magnetic fields of the medium.

Abstract: An inductive thin film magnetic head carried on a substrate having a reduced susceptibility to the "glitch" effect or "remote read" effect. The inductive thin film head uses a three point approach using hard axis only drive fields, narrow paddles and shortened pole tips which are spaced apart from a saw alley when the substrate is sliced.