Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a read head of a data storage device. The read head includes a read sensor sandwiched between two shields. The shields can have different materials as well as a different number of layers. Furthermore the shields can be fabricated by different processes and have different heights and thicknesses. The ratio of the thickness to the height for the shields are substantially identical to ensure that the saturation field are substantially identical and balanced.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording heads of magnetic recording devices. A read head includes a first reader, an insulating separation layer, and a second reader disposed above the insulating separation layer. The second reader includes a magnetic seed layer and a cap layer. The second reader includes a first upper free layer disposed between the magnetic seed layer and the cap layer, and a second upper free layer disposed between the first upper free layer and the cap layer. The second reader includes a barrier layer. In one implementation the second reader includes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer disposed between the magnetic seed layer and the insulating separation layer to pin the magnetic seed layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording heads of magnetic recording devices. A magnetic read head includes a first pinning layer magnetically oriented in a first direction, and a second pinning layer formed above the first pinning layer and magnetically oriented in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction. The magnetic read head includes a rear hard bias disposed outwardly of one or more of the first pinning layer relative or the second pinning layer. The rear hard bias is magnetically oriented to generate a magnetic field in a bias direction. The bias direction points in the same direction as the first direction or the second direction. The magnetic read head does not include an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer between a lower shield and an upper shield.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally related to a two dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) read head having a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). Both the upper reader and the lower reader have a dual free layer (DFL) MTJ structure between two shields. A synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) soft bias structure bounds the MTJ, and a rear hard bias (RHB) structure is disposed behind the MTJ. The DFL MTJ decreases the distance between the upper and lower reader and hence, improves the area density capacity (ADC). Additionally, the SAF soft bias structures and the rear head bias structure cause the dual free layer MTJ to have a scissor state magnetic moment at the media facing surface (MFS).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a read head of a data storage device. The read head includes a read sensor sandwiched between two shields. The shields can have different materials as well as a different number of layers. Furthermore the shields can be fabricated by different processes and have different heights and thicknesses. The ratio of the thickness to the height for the shields are substantially identical to ensure that the saturation field are substantially identical and balanced.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording heads of magnetic recording devices. A magnetic read head includes a first pinning layer magnetically oriented in a first direction, and a second pinning layer formed above the first pinning layer and magnetically oriented in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction. The magnetic read head includes a rear hard bias disposed outwardly of one or more of the first pinning layer relative or the second pinning layer. The rear hard bias is magnetically oriented to generate a magnetic field in a bias direction. The bias direction points in the same direction as the first direction or the second direction. The magnetic read head does not include an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer between a lower shield and an upper shield.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally related to a two dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) read head having a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). Both the upper reader and the lower reader have a dual free layer (DFL) MTJ structure between two shields. A synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) soft bias structure bounds the MTJ, and a rear hard bias (RHB) structure is disposed behind the MTJ. The DFL MTJ decreases the distance between the upper and lower reader and hence, improves the area density capacity (ADC). Additionally, the SAF soft bias structures and the rear head bias structure cause the dual free layer MTJ to have a scissor state magnetic moment at the media facing surface (MFS).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a read head of a data storage device. The read head includes a read sensor sandwiched between two shields. The shields can have different materials as well as a different number of layers. Furthermore the shields can be fabricated by different processes and have different heights and thicknesses. The ratio of the thickness to the height for the shields are substantially identical to ensure that the saturation field are substantially identical and balanced.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to magnetic read heads comprising a dual free layer (DFL) structure. The magnetic read head comprises a first shield, a second shield, and a DFL structure disposed between the first and second shields. The DFL structure comprises a magnetic seed layer, a first free layer, and a second free layer. A non-magnetic spacer layer is disposed between and in contact with the first shield and the magnetic seed layer of the DFL structure at a media facing surface. A material and a thickness of the non-magnetic spacer layer is selected to control the coupling between the first shield and the magnetic seed layer of the DFL structure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording heads of magnetic recording devices. A magnetic read head includes a first pinning layer magnetically oriented in a first direction, and a second pinning layer formed above the first pinning layer and magnetically oriented in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction. The magnetic read head includes a rear hard bias disposed outwardly of one or more of the first pinning layer relative or the second pinning layer. The rear hard bias is magnetically oriented to generate a magnetic field in a bias direction. The bias direction points in the same direction as the first direction or the second direction. The magnetic read head does not include an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer between a lower shield and an upper shield.

Abstract: A hybrid read head structure for two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) in a disk drive has two stacked current-perpendicular-to-the plane magnetoresistive (CPP-MR) read heads or sensors substantially aligned with one another in the along-the track direction to enable both sensors to read data from the same data track. The structure is a hybrid structure formed on the disk drive slider with the lower sensor being a dual free layer (DFL) or scissoring type of CPP-MR sensor and the upper sensor being a single free layer (SFL) type of CPP-MR sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic read element having an additional magnetic layer, “a floating magnetic shield”, formed as a part of a capping structure of a magnetoresistive element. The capping structure is formed over the magnetic free layer and includes a magnetic layer that is located between first and second non-magnetic layers. The magnetic layer can advantageously be formed with a high magnetic permeability for increased signal amplitude and increased signal resolution. In addition, because the magnetic layer of the capping layer structure acts as a magnetic shield, it can reduce effective magnetic gap spacing for increased signal resolution.

Abstract: A magnetic read element having an additional magnetic layer, “a floating magnetic shield”, formed as a part of a capping structure of a magnetoresistive element. The capping structure is formed over the magnetic free layer and includes a magnetic layer that is located between first and second non-magnetic layers. The magnetic layer can advantageously he formed with a high magnetic permeability for increased signal amplitude and increased signal resolution. In addition, because the magnetic layer of the capping layer structure acts as a magnetic shield, it can reduce effective magnetic gap spacing for increased signal resolution.

Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having an extended pinned layer and having a free layer structure with a back edge formed at an angle for optimizing sensor performance and pinned layer pinning. The magnetic free layer has a back edge that is formed at an angle of between 6 and 10 degrees relative to a plane parallel with the air bearing surface plane. The magnetic sensor can be formed by forming the free layer stripe height with an ion milling that is performed at an angle of 6 to 10 degrees relative to normal.

Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having an extended pinned layer and having a free layer structure with a back edge formed at an angle for optimizing sensor performance and pinned layer pinning. The magnetic free layer has a back edge that is formed at an angle of between 6 and 10 degrees relative to a plane parallel with the air bearing surface plane. The magnetic sensor can be formed by forming the free layer stripe height with an ion milling that is performed at an angle of 6 to 10 degrees relative to normal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk medium, at least one magnetic head having at least one of: a magnetic read element configured to read data from the magnetic disk medium and a magnetic write element configured to write data to the magnetic disk medium, and a heating element configured to generate heat upon application of a voltage/current thereto, wherein the heating element is positioned on, near, or within the magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic disk medium over the at least one magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic head for controlling operation of the at least one magnetic head, wherein the controller is configured to retract the at least one magnetic head from a flying state above the magnetic disk medium and apply the voltage/current to the heating element while the magnetic head is retracted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a lower shield, a read element positioned above the lower shield at a media-facing surface of the magnetic head, the read element having a free layer, an upper shield positioned above the read element, a first domain control layer having a direction of magnetization in a predetermined direction, the first domain control layer being configured to control a direction of magnetization of the free layer toward the predetermined direction, and a second domain control layer configured to have a magnetization in a same direction as the direction of magnetization of the first domain control layer, the second domain control layer being positioned above the first domain control layer, wherein the first domain control layer is a hard magnetic layer, and wherein the second domain control layer is a soft magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a read sensor adapted for sensing an external magnetic field; an upper magnetic shield positioned above the read sensor along an air bearing surface (ABS) of the read sensor; a lower magnetic shield positioned below the read sensor along the ABS of the read sensor; a rear insulating layer positioned on a rear side of the read sensor, the rear side being on an opposite side of the read sensor as the ABS of the read sensor; and a soft magnetic layer positioned near the rear side of the read sensor opposite the ABS of the read sensor, wherein the rear insulating layer is positioned between the soft magnetic layer and the read sensor, and wherein the rear insulating layer is positioned between the soft magnetic layer and the lower magnetic shield.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk medium, at least one magnetic head having at least one of: a magnetic read element adapted for reading data from the magnetic disk medium and a magnetic write element adapted for writing data to the magnetic disk medium, and a heating element adapted for generating heat upon application of a voltage/current thereto, wherein the heating element is positioned on, near, or within the magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic disk medium over the at least one magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic head for controlling operation of the at least one magnetic head, wherein the controller is configured to retract the at least one magnetic head from a flying state above the magnetic disk medium and apply the voltage/current to the heating element while the magnetic head is retracted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk medium, at least one magnetic head having at least one of: a magnetic read element configured to read data from the magnetic disk medium and a magnetic write element configured to write data to the magnetic disk medium, and a heating element configured to generate heat upon application of a voltage/current thereto, wherein the heating element is positioned on, near, or within the magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic disk medium over the at least one magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic head for controlling operation of the at least one magnetic head, wherein the controller is configured to retract the at least one magnetic head from a flying state above the magnetic disk medium and apply the voltage/current to the heating element while the magnetic head is retracted.