Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) device includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer having an Fe/FeSi/Fe construction. A first Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a first direction, while a second Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a second direction that is substantially antiparallel to the first direction. The magnetoresistive device can be a spin valve in which a first surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a pinning layer, and a second surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a spacer layer. Further, the spin valve includes a free layer that overlies the spacer, thereby being separated from the synthetic AFM layer by the spacer. The pinning layer, synthetic AFM layer, spacer, and free layer can be bounded by a first shield and a second shield to provide magnetic shielding of the spin valve sensor.

Abstract: A stable pinned structure for a magnetoresistive sensor includes a pair of ferromagnetic layers sandwiched about an antiferromagnetic layer, the ferromagnetic layers having substantially opposite magnetic directions magnetostatically coupled and pinned by the antiferromagnetic layer. A free layer of ferromagnetic material has a magnetic direction that can rotate in the presence of an applied magnetic field so that the field can be sensed. A second free layer may be provided, such that the free layers are sandwiched about the pinned structure, with the sensor configured for amplifying signals and minimizing common mode noise.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive read sensor fabricated on a substrate includes a ferromagnetic layer that is exchange coupled with an antiferromagnetic layer made of a defined composition of iridium manganese. A tantalum layer is used so that the exchange field and coercivity do not change with variations in annealing temperature. The antiferromagnetic layer is formed with a material composition of Ir.sub.x Mn.sub.100-x, wherein x is in the range of 15<.times.>23. In an embodiment of a spin valve structure, the tantalum layer is disposed over the substrate and the antiferromagnetic layer is in direct contact with a pinned ferromagnetic layer. In another embodiment, the IrMn layer is formed over a soft active layer. In a third embodiment using exchange pinning, spaced IrMn regions are formed over the active magnetoresistive layer to define the sensor track width.

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: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head which employs pole tips members which are coplanar in a plane across the write gap to produce a written track whose width is determined by the thickness of the pole tip members. The coplanar write structure may be-combined with a multilayer read sensor disposed in the write gap to produce a narrow trackwidth thin film magnetic head having both write and read capabilities.

Abstract: A read/write head is structurally significantly less complicated than optical reading devices, requires minimal or no optical alignment, capable of writing at higher track densities, and has better control of the data and servo tracks than conventional magnetic heads. The head is also capable of using an available heat source and a relatively weak magnetic field, such as 300 Oersteds, to write data on a data storage medium. The combination of a magnetic read sensor with a near field magneto-optical (MO) write element creates a hybrid read/write head capable of high density recording with a high signal to noise ratio. The integration of the MO write element can be accomplished by various alternative or complementary methods. One method is to mount a heat source, such as a laser or light source on a slider with minimal or no additional optical components.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic structure having layers with different magnetization orientations provided by a common magnetic bias layer includes the steps of depositing an antiferromagnetic layer between first and second ferromagnetic layers. During the deposition of the first and second ferromagnetic layers, magnetization fields of different orientations are employed separately to induce different directions of magnetization in the first and second layers. The different directions of magnetization in the first and second layers are sustained, through the process of exchange coupling, by the interposed antiferromagnetic layer which serves as the bias layer. A magnetic structure thus fabricated, can be used as a read transducer capable of generating differential signals with common mode noise rejection, and can be used as a magnetic pole for a magnetic head with reduced Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: Magnetic transducers are formed with common magnetic exchange layers capable of providing assertive and complementary signals. The transducers include an assertive transducer portion and a complementary transducer portion. Between the two transducer portions is a common bias portion which comprises an antiferromagnetic layer providing bias fields in different directions to the respective transducer portions. During normal operations, a current is directed into each of the transducer portions. The assertive transducer portion, being magnetically biased in one direction, generates a varying voltage as an assertive version of the electrical signal. The complementary transducer, being magnetically biased in another direction, generates another varying voltage as a complementary version of the electrical signal. In one embodiment, the transducer portions are implemented to operate as an anisotropic MR(AMR) sensor. In a second embodiment, the transducer portions operate as a giant MR(GMR) or spin valve sensor.

Abstract: A laminated pole structure for use in a low noise magnetic head suitable for high frequency signal operation is formed by interleaving a plurality of ferromagnetic layers and electrically insulating antiferromagnetic layers so as to form interface surfaces therebetween. External magnetic fields are applied as the interface surfaces are being formed for establishing exchange anisotropies with predetermined permanent exchange pinning directions in the ferromagnetic layers. The exchange anisotropies may be in the same or opposite directions, as defined by the external magnetic fields. In one embodiment, the pole structure has an open edge lamination, while in another embodiment the pole structure has a closed edge lamination. In still another embodiment, the antiferromagnetic layers include predetermined patterns of nonmagnetic material.

Abstract: An air bearing magnetic head is formed with a trimmed head pole tip that includes first and second poles having first and second surfaces respectively, which are coplanar with the air bearing surface of the magnetic head. A pair of leading and trailing bevel surfaces are angularly formed with respect to the first and second surfaces respectively. The bevel surfaces retract portions of the head pole tip away from the surface of a storage medium, and render the head pole tip less sensitive to stray flux, resulting in readback data signals being practically free of undesirable signal undershoots and overshoots. In addition, a minute amount of pole material of the first and second surfaces are trimmed away, thereby defining stepped areas with narrow widths in the first and second poles. The stepped areas enable the magnetic head to record data with narrow and well defined track widths.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive dual spin valve sensor employs at least one magnetic biasing layer located adjacent to an antiferromagnetic layer in the spin valve structure which includes two pinned ferromagnetic layers. The antiferromagnetic layer simultaneously pins the biasing layer and the ferromagnetic layer nearest the antiferromagnetic layer. This structure eliminates the bias point offset present in prior dual spin valve sensors.

Abstract: Boundary protrusions or kinks are integrally formed along the perimeter of a magnetic layer of a magnetic transducer for nucleating a predetermined domain pattern in the magnetic layer. These protrusions or kinks behave as domineering pinning sites for the domain walls, overriding other factors such as manufacturing tolerances or external magnetic field, for establishing a stable magnetic domain pattern. As arranged, various kinds of noise encountered during the normal operations of the transducer are significantly reduced, as the noise related problems originated from the magnetic domain instabilities in the magnetic layers are substantially curtailed.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic structure having layers with different magnetization orientations provided by a common magnetic bias layer includes the steps of depositing an antiferromagnetic layer between first and second ferromagnetic layers. During the deposition of the first and second ferromagnetic layers, magnetization fields of different orientations are employed separately to induce different directions of magnetization in the first and second layers. The different directions of magnetization in the first and second layers are sustained, through the process of exchange coupling, by the interposed antiferromagnetic layer which serves as the bias layer. A magnetic structure thus fabricated, can be used as a read transducer capable of generating differential signals with common mode noise rejection, and can be used as a magnetic pole for a magnetic head with reduced Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: Exchange coupled magnetic thin films are produced by depositing an antiferromagnetic layer, followed by deposition of a layer of ferromagnetic material on the antiferromagnetic layer. The composite antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic structure is then annealed at an elevated temperature for a predetermined length of time. This process results in considerably higher exchange coupling fields than obtainable before. Alternatively, the antiferromagnetic layer may be annealed prior to deposition of the ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is fabricated with shaping magnetic thin films, preferably formed of Permalloy, which have a stepped configuration. The thin films are deposited between the insulation layer surrounding the electrical coil and below the second pole layer P2 to form a double yoke. The thin films have corners at the stepped areas which pin the domain sites so that the magnetization of the P2 layer is properly aligned, thereby improving the data signal that is being recorded.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing magnetic material on a substrate uses a magnet assembly formed of permanent magnet pieces that provide a uniaxial magnetic field. The magnet assembly is preferably made from ceramic magnetic tiles that are joined to form an arcuate strip. The permanent magnet strip is located external to the deposition chamber and positioned so that the magnetic flux lines traverse a workpiece or wafer seated within the chamber.