Abstract: A spin valve sensor is disclosed that comprises a first layer of ferromagnetic material and a second layer of ferromagnetic material. A first layer of non-ferromagnetic material is positioned between the first and second layers of ferromagnetic material. A pinning layer is positioned adjacent to the first layer of ferromagnetic material such that the pinning layer is in contact with the first layer of ferromagnetic material. The spin valve includes synthetic antiferromagnetic bias means extending over passive end regions of the second layer of ferromagnetic material for producing a longitudinal bias in the passive end regions of a level sufficient to maintain the passive end regions in a single domain state. A method for forming a spin valve sensor with exchange tabs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a current perpendicular to the plane read head having a read sensor and a low resistance lead structure. The lead structure includes a layer of conductive material that forms at least a portion of the lead structure such that the layer of conductive material has a lower resistivity than a resistivity of the remainder of the lead structure. The layer of conductive material with lower resistivity decreases the overall resistance of the lead structure.

Abstract: A read head, particularly suitable for a magnetic disc storage system, includes a read sensor having an air-bearing surface and an opposing top surface. The read head also includes a permanent magnet positioned adjacent the top surface of the read sensor for generating a magnetic bias field in the read sensor. The permanent magnet has a magnetization in a direction other than normal to the air-bearing surface of the read sensor.

Abstract: A read head for use with magnetic recording media having a plurality of magnetic tracks includes a read sensor, first and second magnetic lead shields for improving track resolution, and first and second magnetic shields for improving linear resolution. The read sensor is formed on a side wall of one of the first and second magnetic lead shields using a technique such as ion beam deposition for enhanced film growth rate on the side wall. A magnetic disc drive storage system incorporating the read head and a method of making the read head are also included.

Abstract: Multilayer permanent magnet films comprising at least two permanent magnet layers separated by an interlayer are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multilayer permanent magnet film includes an interlayer deposited on a first permanent magnet layer, a seed layer deposited on the interlayer, and a second permanent magnet layer deposited on the seed layer. The permanent magnet layers may comprise a material such as CoPt, while the seed layer may comprise a material such as TiW. The interlayer may comprise a material such as Ta. The multilayer permanent magnet films possess favorable properties such as high magnetic coercivity (Hc) and high remnant magnetization (MR) at thicknesses which yield high magnetic fields. The films may be used in applications such as current perpendicular to the plane (CPP) magnetic sensors in which the multilayer permanent magnet film is used to magnetically bias the sensor.