Abstract: A read head is provided having having ultrathin read gap layers with improved insulative properties between a magnetoresistive sensor and ferromagnetic shield layers. The read head comprises a magnetoresistive sensor with first and second shield cap layers made of high resistivity permeable magnetic material formed between the first and second ferromagnetic shields and the first and second insulative read gap layers, respectively. The shield cap layers made of Fe—Hf—Ox material, or alternatively, the Mn—Zn ferrite material provide highly resistive or insulating soft ferromagnetic layers which add to the electrically insulative read gap layers to provide increased electrical insulation of the spin valve sensor from the metallic ferromagnetic shields while not adding to the magnetic read gap of the read head.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a magnetic transducer and a thin film magnetic head using the same, which can be manufactured by a simple manufacturing process and can obtain good output. The thin film magnetic head has a stack including a plurality of magnetic layers stacked alternately with a plurality of nonmagnetic layers. A layer having the fixed orientation of magnetization is formed on at least one side of the stack in the direction of stacking. The layer has a stacked structure comprising an antiferromagnetic layer and an exchange coupling layer exchange coupling with the antiferromagnetic layer. The magnetic layers of the stack are changed into a single magnetic domain by a magnetic field generated by exchange coupling between the antiferromagnetic layer and the exchange coupling layer so as to prevent Barkhausen noise. Since the layer is formed on at least one side of the stack in the direction of stacking, a manufacturing process is simplified.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive sensor element and electrical contacts coupled to the magnetoresistive element configured to sense a response of the magnetoresistive element to a magnetic field. A magnetic shield is positioned adjacent the magnetoresistive element and configured to shield the magnetoresistive element from stray magnetic fields. The shield has a substantially stable magnetic domain pattern. A shield flux thief is positioned generally in a plane of the shield and spaced apart from the shield by a gap.

Abstract: An extraordinary magnetoresistance (EMR) magnetic head is provided including a first shield and a second shield defining a gap adapted for being positioned over a magnetic recording disk. An EMR sensor is positioned between the first shield and the second shield. In order to ensure proper operation of the EMR sensor, a plane in which the EMR sensor is positioned is perpendicular to magnetic flux associated with the magnetic recording disk.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer with selected elements recessed from the surface of the transducer is disclosed. The magnetic sensor element is recessed below its surrounding gap material and the second shield (S2) is preferably recessed below the level of the gap material. Recessing the selected elements below the surrounding ceramic material, results in superior resistance to physical distortion resulting from the action of the moving magnetic media. Applicant discloses two methods for producing magnetic transducers with recessed elements according to the invention. One method uses a lapping medium which chemically etches the selected material more aggressively than the surrounding material resulting in the selected material being recessed from the surface of the transducer. For transducers in which the magnetic sensor element and the second (S2) are made from alloys of nickel and iron, an acidic lapping medium is preferred to achieve the desired structure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head of CPP structure in which an insulating protective film 20 covers at least part of the boundary between the lower shield layer 10 and the non-magnetic film 11 adjacent thereto so as to reduce the area of the lower shield layer which is exposed on the surface of the substrate when the magnetoresistive film is patterned. This construction minimizes damage that occurs when the magnetoresistive film is patterned and also reduces the fraction defective due to current leakage across the upper and lower shields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetoresistive device comprising: a bottom shield; a top shield; an AMR/GMR device; a first insulating gap layer between said bottom shield and said AMR/GMR; a second insulating gap layer between said AMR/GMR and said top shield; and conductive layer contacting electrically both said AMR/GMR device to said bottom shield. Furthermore, similar active devices free of electric-pop noise also be disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect type reproducing head includes a lower magnetic shield made of magnetic material, an upper magnetic shield made of magnetic material, a magnetoresistive effect type element formed between the lower magnetic shield layer and the upper magnetic shield layer, a lower inter-layer insulating film formed between the magnetoresistive effect type element and the lower magnetic shield, and an upper inter-layer insulation film formed between the magnetoresistive effect type element and the upper magnetic shield. At least one of the lower and upper magnetic shields includes a first magnetic layer made of a first material having first electric resistivity and a second magnetic layer made of a second material having second electric resistivity higher than the first electric resistivity.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head having a magnetoresistive effect element wherein an insulating layer is formed under an electrode layer of a magnetoresistive effect element with a lower gap layer interposed therebetween. As a result, the distance between the electrode layer and the lower shielding layer becomes longer, thus permitting maintenance of a satisfactory electrical insulation.

Abstract: A magnetic head for reading information from a magnetic medium is provided. The magnetic head includes a substrate, having a substrate thermal coefficient of expansion, and a read element positioned above the substrate. The head also includes a shield, positioned above the substrate and adjacent the read element, which has a shield thermal coefficient of expansion that substantially matches the substrate thermal coefficient of expansion. The shield absorbs stray magnetic fields from the magnetic medium, which emanate from stored data that is adjacent to a data element that is directly beneath and read by the magnetoresistive read element. This shield may also serve to provide electrical contact for the reader element. The magnetic thermal coefficient of expansion and electrical properties of the shield may be suitably optimized through appropriate choice of component materials and structure.

Abstract: The invention offers a magnetic recording head that includes a substrate, a read sensor, and at least on shield positioned adjacent to the read sensor, wherein the shield contributes to thermal pole-tip recession in an amount less than about 0.4Å/° C. The invention also offers a magnetic recording head that includes a substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, a read sensor, and at least one shield, positioned adjacent to the read sensor, that has a coefficient of thermal expansion within ±2×10−6/° C. of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate. The invention further offers a magnetic recording head that includes a substrate, a read sensor, and at least one shield, with a thickness of from about 0.05 &mgr;m to about 0.5 &mgr;m positioned adjacent the read sensor.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a magnetoresistive element, a shielding layer, and an insulating layer disposed between the magnetoresistive element and the shielding layer. The shielding layer is composed of an amorphous material and the surface thereof facing the magnetoresistive element is covered by a crystallization-inhibiting film for inhibiting crystallization of the shielding layer. The crystallization-inhibiting film may have an antioxidizing function for the shielding layer.

Abstract: A first lead is connected to an edge of a free layer of a spin valve sensor for conducting a sense current parallel to the planes of its film surfaces after which the sense current is conducted perpendicular to the planes of the film surfaces of the remainder of the layers of the spin valve sensor to a second lead layer which may be a first shield layer of the read head. The conduction of the sense current parallel to the film surfaces of the free layer provides the spin valve sensor with sufficient resistance so as to enable processing circuitry to efficiently produce playback signals.

Abstract: A transducing head has an air bearing surface and includes a top shield, a bottom shield, a read sensor, and a first flux guide. The top shield has both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion. The non-recessed portion of the top shield extends from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion of the top shield and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion of the top shield. The bottom shield has both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion. The non-recessed portion of the bottom shield extends from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion of the bottom shield and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion of the bottom shield. A length of the non-recessed portion of the top shield is substantially equal to a length of the non-recessed portion of the bottom shield.

Abstract: The permeability of one of the first and second shield layers in a read head is greater than the permeability of the other of the first and second shield layers for providing a net image current field HIM which can be employed for counterbalancing other fields acting on a free layer structure in a spin valve sensor such as a sense current field HI in either a top or bottom single spin valve sensor or a net ferromagnetic coupling field HFC alone or in combination with a demagnetizing field HD in a dual spin valve sensor. Preferred high permeability materials are nickel iron or nickel iron alloys excluding cobalt and low permeability materials are cobalt based.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetoresistive head which is capable of suppressing the fluctuation of read output while ensuring a sufficient dielectric breakdown voltage of the shielding portions by constituting the shielding portions with a Co-based material. Namely, the lower shield film is formed of a 2-ply composite film wherein the film (12′) of the lower shield film which is disposed contacting with the lower gap insulation film (13) is constituted by an amorphous soft magnetic film, while the film (12) which is disposed away from the lower gap insulation film is constituted by a crystalline soft magnetic film, thereby making it possible to suppress the fluctuation of read output even if the gap is narrowed without deteriorating the yield relative to the dielectric breakdown.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly with an air bearing surface (ABS) layer over a double-shielded magnetoresistive (MR) sensor and a write gap formed between two spaced magnetic pole tips, with an optional write-gap shield disposed so that one magnetic pole tip is disposed between the write-gap shield and the other magnetic pole tip. At least one of the MR element shields is electrically connected to one of the MR signal lead conductors (preferably the one having the most positive potential) and the one magnetic pole tip (and/or the optional write-gap shield) is coupled to the clamped MR element shield with an electrical conductor. For multi-track read/write arrays, the connection between adjacent reader shield and writer pole and/or shield is provided independently for each read/write pair in the array, thereby equalizing the voltage environments to reduce variations in the chemical/mechanical erosion of the read and write head ABS layers.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducing head first requires the deposition of a bottom shield, a bottom thick gap, a bottom thin gap, a sensor, a first flux guide, a top thin gap, a top thick gap, and a top shield. After each of the layers is deposited, an air bearing portion of both the top and bottom thick gaps is removed, such that a length of the air bearing portion of the top thick gap is substantially equal to a length of the air bearing portion of the bottom thick gap. Next, an air bearing shield is deposited over the air bearing surface, the air bearing shield being in contact with the top and bottom shields, the top and bottom thick gaps, the top and bottom thin gaps, and the flux guide. Finally, the air bearing surface of the transducing head is planarized, resulting in the top and bottom thin gaps and the first flux guide each being exposed at the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A reproducing head has a bottom shield layer, an MR element and a top shield layer (bottom pole layer). The recording head has: the bottom pole layer (top shield layer) and a top pole layer that include pole portions; and a recording gap layer placed between these pole portions. The recording head further has a thin-film coil placed between the bottom and top pole layers. The top shield layer includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is located to face toward the thin-film coil. The second layer forms the pole portion. A nonmagnetic layer is provided in the first layer between the MR element and the pole portion of the top shield layer. The length of the nonmagnetic layer between an end thereof located in an air bearing surface and the other end is greater than the length of the MR element between an end thereof located in an air bearing surface and the other end.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is provided, in which, even if sags occur in a shield layer when an opposing face opposing a medium is polished, the sags are unlikely to reach an MR device or another shield layer, whereby short-circuiting can be avoided. The thin-film magnetic head includes a laminate having a magnetoresistive device, two insulating layers provided on both sides of the magnetoresistive device in the thickness direction thereof, and two shield layers provided on the insulating layers on the magnetoresistive device, and a substrate on which the laminate is provided. In the thin-film magnetic head, the magnetoresistive device, the insulating layers, and the shield layers are exposed at the opposing face opposing a recording medium. At least one of the shield layers in contact with the insulating layers is composed of a magnetic layer and a rigid layer which is harder than the magnetic layer and is in contact with the insulating layer.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition (ALD) process deposits thin films for microelectronic structures, such as advanced gap and tunnel junction applications, by plasma annealing at varying film thicknesses to obtain desired intrinsic film stress and breakdown film strength. The primary advantage of the ALD process is the near 100% step coverage with properties that are uniform along sidewalls. The process provides smooth (Ra˜2 Å), pure (impurities <1 at. %), AlOx films with improved breakdown strength (9-10 MV/cm) with a commercially feasible throughput.

Abstract: It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a shield and pole material with reduced magnetostriction while preserving good magnetic characteristics. This material is used in recording heads in tape and disk drives. The material is a repeating sequence of three layers. One layer is FeX(N) where the (N) indicates a nitrogenated film and the additional element, X, is preferentially Ta but can be selected from a group of elements. Another layer is made from a NiFe alloy. The third layer, disposed between the FeX(N) and NiFe layers is tantalum. The sequence of three layers is repeated to build the required thickness for the final material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the sensitivity of spin valve sensor read heads for magnetic tape applications are provided. The apparatus and methods compromise the large output gain derived from using state of the art spin valve sensors in order to reduce the flux capture and thus, the signal distortion in the spin valve sensor. In order to provide a reduced sensitivity spin valve sensor, one or more of the basic sensitivity of the spin valve, the flux carrying capability of the free layer, and the flux injection efficiency of the spin valve head structure are modified to reduce the flux capture by the sensing layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the sensitivity of spin valve sensor read heads for magnetic tape applications are provided. The apparatus and methods compromise the large output gain derived from using state of the art spin valve sensors in order to reduce the flux capture and thus, the signal distortion in the spin valve sensor. In order to provide a reduced sensitivity spin valve sensor, one or more of the basic sensitivity of the spin valve, the flux carrying capability of the free layer, and the flux injection efficiency of the spin valve head structure are modified to reduce the flux capture by the sensing layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head include a pair of magnetic shield layers, a pair of gap layers formed between the pair of magnetic shield layers, a magnetoresistive layer arranged between the pair of gap layers, and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the magnetoresistive layer. At least one of the pair of magnetic shield layers is formed as a discontinuous multi-layer or as a mixed layer.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of the present invention includes a magnetic head wherein the magnetic shields of the read head portion of the magnetic head are magnetically stabilized. Each magnetic shield is preferably fabricated as a laminated structure including a plurality of ferromagnetic material layers that are separated by spacer layers composed of a nonmagnetic material. In the preferred embodiment, the spacer layer is preferably composed of ruthenium, and the magnetic fields of the adjacent ferromagnetic layers are oppositely directed, whereby the magnetic fields within the adjacent ferromagnetic layers become antiparallel coupled. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes NiFe ferromagnetic layers, having an alternating thickness of approximately 600 Åand approximately 100 Å, that are separated by a ruthenium spacer layer having a thickness of approximately 8 Å, such that a net magnetic moment is created within the antiparallel coupled laminated structure.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a read sensor comprising a shield, a sensor element, an extra shield between the shield and the sensor element, an extra gap between the shield and the sensor and adjacent the extra shield, and a gap layer between the sensor element and the extra shield. The sensor element is positioned in a sensor layer. With the extra shield adjacent to the sensor element and separated by only the relatively thin gap layer, high areal recording density and excellent instability of the sensor element is obtained. At the same time, by fabricating the extra shield to be not significantly wider than the sensor element, the potential for shorting is minimized by placing both the gap and the thicker extra gap between the sensor lead elements and the shield.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) read head is disclosed including a shield layer with a recessed portion and a protruding portion defined by the recessed portion. Also included is an MR sensor located in vertical alignment with the protruding portion of the shield layer. Further provided is at least one gap layer situated above and below the MR sensor. At least one of such gap layers is positioned in the recessed portion of the shield layer. By this design, a combined thickness of the gap layers is thinner adjacent to the MR sensor and the protruding portion of the shield layer, while being thicker adjacent to the recessed portion of the shield layer. As such, optimum insulation is provided while maintaining planar gap layer surfaces to avoid the detrimental ramifications of reflective notching and the swing curve effect.

Abstract: A transducing head includes at least three magnetic layers. At least two of these magnetic layers function as shields of a reader portion of the transducing head, and at least one of these magnetic layers functions as a pole of a writer portion of the transducing head. Importantly, at least one of the three magnetic layers is formed of a thin film structure having a first and a second ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a bias layer. The spacer layer is positioned between the first and the second ferromagnetic layers. The bias layer is positioned adjacent the first ferromagnetic layer. The second ferromagnetic layer has a thickness-magnetic moment product substantially equal to a thickness-magnetic moment product of the first ferromagnetic layer. An easy axis of the second ferromagnetic layer is substantially parallel to an easy axis of the first ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A method for reducing flux concentrating capacity of a shield in a magnetic read/write head positioned to read perpendicular residual magnetic fields on a magnetic media. Permeability of the shield is reduced in a direction oriented perpendicular to the magnetic media by inducing a transverse magnetic bias field within the shield.

Abstract: A test simulation circuit includes a simulated read/write head with a magnet shield and a magnetoresistive sensor exposed at a lapped surface. The test simulation circuit also includes first and second electrical test path connected respectively to the magnet shield and the magnetoresistive sensor. The second electrical test path is electrically isolated from the first electrical test path.

Abstract: According as the gap layer formed between the magnetoresistive effect element and the shielding layer becomes smaller along with the recent tendency toward a higher recording density, the electrode layer of the magnetoresistive effect element and the shielding layer have been electrically connected, and this has caused a deterioration of the reproduction property. An insulating layer is formed under an electrode layer of a magnetoresistive effect element interposed a lower gap layer therebetween. As a result, the distance between the electrode layer and the lower shielding layer becomes longer, thus permitting maintenance of a satisfactory electrical insulation.

Abstract: A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor or read head has a magnetic shield geometry that covers the side walls of the sensor structure to prevent side reading caused by magnetic flux entering from adjacent data tracks. The shield geometry includes a bottom shield with a substantially planar surface and a specially shaped top shield. The top shield has substantially vertical portions generally parallel to the side walls of the sensor structure, a horizontal top portion over the trackwidth region of the sensor, and horizontal side portions formed over the portions of the bottom shield on either side of the sensor structure. The insulating gap material that separates the bottom and top shields is in contact with the horizontal portions of the bottom shield and the side walls of the sensor structure.

Abstract: A read head has first and second leads that are shorted to first and second shields so that the first and second shields function as lead layer extensions for the first and second leads. This permits a second read gap layer to be thinner so that a free layer structure of a spin valve sensor is located closer to a second shield layer. This increases a net imaging current field HIM which can be employed for counterbalancing a strong sense current field HI due to conductive layers on one side of the free layer structure. Connection of the first and second lead layers to the first and second shield layers promotes heat dissipation from the first and second lead layers and a thinner second read gap layer promotes linear read density of the head.

Abstract: A second top shielding film is provided above a first top shielding film, and a second bottom shielding film is provided below a first bottom shielding film. The first top shielding film and the first bottom shielding film are provided to sandwich a magnetoresistive effective film, and function as current-supplying layers, that is, leading films for the magnetoresistive effective film.

Abstract: A spin valve head according to the present invention includes a spin valve stack having a free layer, a first spacer layer, a pinned layer and a pinning layer. The spin valve stack is configured to operate in a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) mode, wherein a sense current flows substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of the first spacer layer. The spin valve head includes a first shield and a second shield coupled to opposing sides of the spin valve stack. The first and the second shields act as electrodes to couple the sense current to the spin valve stack. The first shield has a concave shape and substantially surrounds the free layer. The spin valve head also includes a second spacer layer and a layer of antiferromagnetic material. The second spacer layer is formed on the free layer. The layer of antiferromagnetic material is formed on the second spacer layer.

Abstract: Magnetic heads capable of recording and reading with high sensitivity and resolution are provided by minimizing the outflow of magnetic fluxes from a flux guide to magnetic shields while using a flux guide structure for an MR element. In the magnetic head, magnetic shields exposed on a surface opposite a magnetic recording medium (air bearing surface) and a flux guide exposed between the magnetic heads via a non-magnetic layer are provided, and magnetic fluxes are guided by the flux guide to a magnetoresistive (MR) element formed in a position not exposed on the air bearing surface. The height of the magnetic shields in a direction perpendicular to the air bearing surface is less than the distance from the air bearing surface to the MR element, and the lengthwise direction of the magnetic shields is in parallel to the air bearing surface in the vicinity of the position in which the flux guide is formed.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head has a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer which are each composed of two layers of a first shield sub-layer and a second shield sub-layer. The second shield sub-layer has a specific resistance higher than that of the first shield sub-layer. Thus, even though the gap length become shorter, the second shield sub-layers and gap layers ensure electrical insulation, and therefore, an electrically insulative thin-film magnetic head can be achieved.

Abstract: Assuming that a distance between an upper shield layer and a lower shield layer in an area, which overlaps only a first electrode layer, but does not overlap a second electrode layer, is G1s, and a distance between the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer at a position in alignment with a center of a multilayered film is G1c, a difference in value between G1s and G1c is set to be not larger than a predetermined value, whereby an effective track (read) width can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is to realize a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which even if a spacing between shields of a magnetic head is narrowed, a deterioration in characteristic caused by a short-circuiting between a magnetoresistive layer and a magnetic shield layer is prevented to provide a high recording density. The present invention comprises an upper shield layer 15, a lower shield layer 13,and a magnetoresistive layer 14 arranged therebetween. Further, there is provided a constitution in which one or both shield layers has (have) a high resistance layer comprising a mixed layer of ferromagnetic metal and an insulating material, or a discontinuous multi-layer having a plurality of ferromagnetic metal layers and a plurality of insulating material layers laminated alternately, to prevent a deterioration in characteristic caused by a short-circuiting.

Abstract: A thin film structure suitable for use as a shield for a read element of a transducing head has an first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer and a first decoupling layer. The first decoupling layer is positioned between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. An easy axis of the first ferromagnetic layer is substantially parallel to an easy axis of the second ferromagnetic layer. The first decoupling layer causes a magnetization of the first ferromagnetic layer to be substantially antiparallel to a magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetoresistive head that reads data from a recording media is disclosed. The method and system include providing a first shield, a second shield, a magnetoresistive sensor, and a lead. The first shield has a first end, a central portion and a second end. The first end is closer to the recording media during use than the second end. The second shield has a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end of the second shield is separated from the first end of the first shield by a read gap. The central portion of the second shield is separated from the central portion of the first shield by a distance that is greater than the read gap. The magnetoresistive sensor is disposed between the first shield and the second shield and has a front end and a back end. The front end of the magnetoresistive sensor is electrically coupled with the first end of the first shield or the first end of the second shield.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve the insulating property between an electrode connected to a magnetoresistive element and a shield layer. A thin-film magnetic head of the invention includes: a magnetoresistive element; a bottom shield layer and a top shield layer for shielding the magnetoresistive element, wherein portions of the bottom shield layer and the top shield layer facing a recording medium are opposed to each other with the magnetoresistive element in between; two insulating layers each provided between the magnetoresistive element and each of the shield layers; a conductive layer connected to the magnetoresistive element; and an induction-type magnetic transducer. The bottom shield layer, for example, has a groove in which the conductive layer making up a lead connected to the magnetoresistive element is placed. The conductive layer is placed in the groove, being insulated by an insulating film from the bottom shield layer.

Abstract: The width W1 of the lower shield thin film 3 and the width W2 of the upper shield thin film 7 are specified so that each of these widths is larger than the width W3 of the MR element 5 and is smaller than the contact width W4.

Abstract: A specified amount of N2O or N2 is employed in a process gas of a DC magnetron for sputter depositing single or laminated films of NiFeCo—O—N or NiFeCo—N with a high uniaxial anisotropy HK after annealing these films along their hard axes. The films can be used for shield layers and/or pole piece layers in a magnetic head.

Abstract: Provided are a thin film magnetic head and a method of manufacturing the same, which is capable of high density recording and obtaining stable output. The thin film magnetic head comprises an MR film sandwiched in between first and second shield layers. The first shield layer includes an inner layer, a magnetization stabilizing layer, an underlayer, and an outer layer laminated in order from the MR film. The second shield layer includes an inner layer, a magnetization stabilizing layer, an isolating layer, and an outer layer laminated in order from the MR film. The magnetization stabilizing layers are formed of antiferromagnetic material, so as to control the direction of magnetization of the inner layers.

Abstract: A multilayer structure is disclosed having a magneto resistive free layer. The multilayer structure is between a pair of shields and the shields are separated by at least two spacings. A first of the spacings is at least the length of the multilayer structure. A second of the spacings is greater than the first spacing.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head that has a read head with a track width includes the steps of depositing a read track width defining material layer on a read sensor material layer; forming a bi-layer photoresist mask on the read track width defining material layer that masks a read track width defining layer portion of the read track width defining material layer; removing by reactive ion etching (RIE) a portion of the read track width defining material layer not masked by the photoresist mask to form the read track width defining layer portion with exposed first and second side edges that are spaced apart a distance equal to the track width; removing by ion milling a first portion of the read sensor material layer not masked by the read track width defining layer portion to form a second portion of the read sensor material layer with exposed first and second side edges that have a width equal to the track width; depositing hard bias and lead material layers on the photoresist mask in contact with the firs

Abstract: A thin film structure suitable for use as a shield for a read element of a transducing head has a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a spacer layer and a bias layer. The spacer layer is positioned between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The bias layer is positioned adjacent the first ferromagnetic layer. A product of a thickness of the first ferromagnetic layer and a magnetic moment of the first ferromagnetic layer is substantially equal to a product of a thickness of the second ferromagnetic layer and a magnetic moment of the second ferromagnetic layer. An easy axis of the first ferromagnetic layer is substantially parallel to an easy axis of the second ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A read head for perpendicular magnetic recording that reduces side reading. The read head includes a read element and a magnetic shield spaced apart from the read element. The magnetic shield at least partially surrounds the read element at an air-bearing surface of the read element. The ratio of an air-bearing surface area of the magnetic shield to an air-bearing surface area of the read element is from about 1:1 to about 40:1.