Abstract: A magetoresistive (MR) read head according to one embodiment includes a shield layer with a recessed portion and a protruding portion defined by the recessed portion; a first gap layer located on top of the recessed portion of the shield layer, the first gap layer including, an upper surface substantially level with an upper surface of the protruding portion of the shield layer a second gap layer located on top of the first gap layer and the protruding portion of the shield layer, an MR sensor formed above the protruding portion of the shield layer and the second gap layer. A combined thickness of the first gap layer and second gap layer is thinner adjacent to the MR sensor and the protruding portion of the shield layer than the recessed portion of the shield layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to preventing short-circuit failure even in the narrow track width and narrow gap length, resulting in improved yield. In one embodiment, die sensor heads are placed on both sides of the track direction of the sensor film. The sensor heads comprise the first insulating film with at least a part connected to the track direction wall surface of the sensor film and the third insulating film formed between the upper shield and the first insulating film, and have the relationship being Tw<Dx<Bx where the distance between edges of the first insulating film connected to the track direction wall surface of the sensor film is Tw, the distance between outside edges of the first insulating film along the track direction Bx, and the distance of inside edges of the third insulating film along the track direction Dx.

Abstract: The problem of increased edge sensitivity associated with the reduction of the spacing between bias magnets in a CPP head has been solved by limiting the width of the bias cancellation layer and by adding an extra layer of insulation to ensure that current through the device flows only through its central area, thereby minimizing its edge reading sensitivity.

Abstract: A magnetic, head according to one embodiment includes a substrate; a sensor formed above the substrate; a second shield formed above the sensor and the substrate; a first insulation layer positioned between the substrate and the sensor; a second insulation layer positioned between the sensor and the second shield; and a nonmagnetic, non-electrically insulative layer formed between the substrate and the sensor.

Abstract: A second fixed magnetic layer is formed of a CoFeB layer of CoFeB and an interface layer of CoFe or Co provided in that order from the bottom. An insulating barrier layer composed of Al—O is formed on the second fixed magnetic layer. When a lamination structure composed of CoFeB/CoFe/Al—O is formed as described above, a low RA and a high rate of change in resistance (?R/R) can be simultaneously obtained. In addition, variations in RA and rate of change in resistance (?R/R) can be suppressed as compared to that in the past.

Abstract: The method of making a thin-film magnetic head in accordance with the present invention forms a cover layer on an insulating layer about a magnetoresistive film so as to eliminate a protrusion riding on the magnetoresistive film. The protrusion can be eliminated by etching. The part of insulating layer clad with the cover layer is not etched. This can prevent short-circuit from occurring because of thinning the insulating layer.

Abstract: In a lead overlay (LOL) type of read head first and second insulation layers are employed with the first insulation layer being located between a top surface of a first hard bias layer and a first lead layer and the second insulation layer is located between the top surface of a second hard bias layer and a second lead layer for minimizing a shunting of a sense current through the hard bias layers into a read sensor.

Abstract: Problems such as thermal pole tip protrusion result from thermal mismatch between the alumina and pole material during the writing process. This, and similar problems due to inadequate heat dissipation, have been overcome by dividing the bottom shield into two pieces both of which sit on top of a non-magnetic heat sink. Heat generated by the coil during writing is transferred to the non-magnetic heat sink whence it gets transferred to the substrate. With this approach, the head not only benefits from less field disturbance due to the small shield but also improves heat dissipation from the additional heat sink.

Abstract: A magnetic head including a media heating device. Following the fabrication of the heating device, a sacrificial layer of material is deposited to protect the heating device during subsequent process steps. Thereafter, write head components, such as write head induction coils and/or a P1 pole pedestal are fabricated above the heating device, and the sacrificial layer is substantially consumed in protecting the heating device during the aggressive etching and milling steps used to create those components. Further components, including a second magnetic pole are thereafter fabricated to complete the fabrication of the write head portion of the magnetic head. The sacrificial layer may be comprised of alumina, or a material such as NiFe that can act as a seed layer for a subsequent head components such as the P1 pole pedestal.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head of a type including a magnetoresistive film arranged between a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer, wherein the lower shield layer has a non-magnetic layer adjacent to it and the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer are formed such that their separation at at least part of a boundary between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer is larger than their separation in a vicinity of the magnetoresistive film, and an insulating film is arranged between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer, wherein the lower shield layer and the non-magnetic layer adjacent thereto are formed such that they differ in height and there exists a difference in level at their boundary.

Abstract: A lower shield layer is formed by being embedded in a first recess formed in an under layer. Accordingly, the distance between the lower shield layer and a slider can be reduced. Also, a second metal layer is formed from above a gap layer covering an electrode extracting layer over above the under layer hindwards therefrom. Accordingly, the second metal layer can be brought closer to the slider side than an upper shield layer. Consequently, the thermal dissipation effects of the thin-film magnetic head can be improved.

Abstract: A method for making a tunnel valve head with a flux guide. The tunnel valve sensor is created by forming a tunnel valve at a first shield layer. The tunnel valve includes a free layer distal to the first shield layer, a first insulation layer deposited over the first shield layer and around the tunnel valve, a flux guide formed over the first insulation layer and coupling to the tunnel valve at the free layer, a second insulation layer formed over the flux guide and a second shield layer formed over the second insulation layer. The flux guide and the free layer are physically isolated by the first and second insulation layers to prevent current shunts therefrom. The structure achieves physical connection between the flux guide and the free layer and insulates the flux guide from the shields.

Abstract: A dual-stripe element magnetroresistive read head for reading information from a magnetic tape. The read head includes a first insulating layer, a first active magnetoresistive layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the first active magnetoresistive layer, a second active magnetoresistive layer formed on the second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer formed on the second active magnetoresistive layer. The second active magnetoresistive layer is magnetostatically coupled to the first active magnetoresistive layer. A periodic structure is formed on a surface of the first insulator layer. As the remaining layers are formed on the first insulating layer, the periodic structure is replicated throughout the read head. Thus, the periodic structure formed on the first insulator layer stabilizes both the first and second active layers via magnetic domain pinning for both layers along the edges of the periodic structure.

Abstract: A horizontal combined head is provided which has both a thin film write and an MR read element located at an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element can be formed with a track width that is independent of the track width of the write element. The MR sensor or the read element is separated from one of the first and second pole pieces of the write element by an insulation layer. Accordingly, the shields for the read element remain more stable after a write operation. In one embodiment of the present invention a single stripe MR sensor is employed while in a second embodiment a dual stripe MR sensor is employed. A method of the invention includes forming the dual MR stripe in a single process step so that the dual MR stripes of the dual MR sensor are near identical for implementing near absolute common mode rejection of noise.

Abstract: A currently perpendicular to plane (CPP) sensor having a heat sink structure disposed beyond the stripe height of the sensor. The heat sink is preferably in thermal contact with one of the shields/leads of the sensor while being electrically insulated from the other shield/lead.

Abstract: A bottom-pinned current-in-the-plane spin-valve magnetoresistive sensor has a dual metal-oxide capping layer on the top ferromagnetic free layer. The first capping layer is formed on the free layer and is one or more oxides of zinc (Zn). The second capping layer is formed on the first capping layer and is an oxide of a metal having an affinity for oxygen greater than Zn, such as one or more oxides of Ta, Al, Hf, Zr, Y, Ti, W, Si, V, Mg, Cr, Nb, Mo and Mn.

Abstract: A high output, magnetoresistive head with a CPP structure is disclosed which reduces or prevents deformation near the air bearing surface of the read element portion layer at the time of air bearing surface processing. In the CPP structure magnetoresistive head, the deformation near the air bearing surface as a result of mechanical polishing during the air bearing surface processing can be reduced by forming deformation prevention layers having a higher shear modulus than the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer between a magnetoresistive film and at least one of a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer.

Abstract: The problem of increased edge sensitivity associated with the reduction of the spacing between bias magnets in a CPP head has been solved by limiting the width of the bias cancellation layer and by adding an extra layer of insulation to ensure that current through the device flows only through its central area, thereby minimizing its edge reading sensitivity.

Abstract: Provided are a thin film magnetic head capable of inhibiting an excessive temperature rise while reducing its size in accordance with a higher recording density, and obtaining a higher read output, a method of manufacturing the same, and a magnetic disk drive using the thin film magnetic head. A heat dissipation layer for transferring heat generated in a magnetic transducer film to outside is disposed adjacent to the magnetic transducer film on a side, the side being opposite to a side facing a recording medium. In a gap layer for electrically insulating between the magnetic transducer film and a pair of shield layers, a portion of the gap layer in contact with an end surface of the magnetic transducer film on a side, the side being opposite to a side facing the recording medium is formed so as to have a thin thickness ranging from 2 nm to 30 nm inclusive.

Abstract: In a lead overlay (LOL) type of read head first and second insulation layers are employed with the first insulation layer being located between a top surface of a first hard bias layer and a first lead layer and the second insulation layer is located between the top surface of a second hard bias layer and a second lead layer for minimizing a shunting of a sense current through the hard bias layers into a read sensor.

Abstract: A slider having a magnetic read/write head and including, a base coat, a reader element having a transducer, a writer element, the writer element including at least one conductive coil, the coil being electrically insulated by a composition which has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, and an overcoat.

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: A magnetoresistive includes a magnetoresistive layer which converts magnetic signals to electric signals and a pair of electrodes for allowing an electrically sensing current to flow across the magnetoresistive layer is made between an upper shield and an under shield with upper gap layer and under gap layer intervening between the magnetoresistive layer and the shields. By using a multi-layered varistor film or films of a material such as ZnO, SiC, SrTiO, Si etc. in combination with an insulating material SiO2, A1203, etc. to connect the magnetoresistive element to the shields and interconnect both electrodes, a magnetoresistive head which withstands breakdown even if the insulating gap layers are made thinner is provided.

Abstract: In a magnetic head a read sensor is located between first and second read gap layers wherein the first read gap layer includes a read gap material layer and first and second refill gap layers. The read gap material layer has first and second depressions which extend laterally from the first and second side walls respectively of the sensor and the first and second refill gap layers are disposed in the first and second depressions and engage a bottom portion of the first side wall and engage a bottom portion of the second side wall respectively. The first read gap layer has first and second portions which extend laterally from the first and second side walls of the sensor and a third portion which engages a bottom surface of the sensor and is located between said first and second portions with each of said first and second portions having a thickness which is greater than a thickness of said third portion.

Abstract: A single-element magnetoresistive (MR) read head with reduced susceptibility to noise is disclosed. In particular, the present invention addresses the problem of noise generated thermally through contact with the recording medium. The present invention solves this problem by keeping the temperature of the read head at a level that minimizes the noise level. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shielding material used in the read head is recessed with respect to the magnetic-medium-bearing surface. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a thin coating of metal on the read head surface is applied. In yet another embodiment, the read element is operated with a low bias current so as to minimize the thermal effect of power consumption due to electrical resistance. In still another embodiment, the read element makes use of insulating material that is both an electrical insulator and a high quality thermal insulator.

Abstract: An MR thin-film magnetic head includes a lower shield layer, a lower gap layer made of a nonmagnetic electrically conductive material and laminated on the lower shield layer, an MR multilayer in which a current flows in a direction perpendicular to surfaces of layers of the magnetoresistive effect multilayer, the MR multilayer being laminated on the lower gap layer, an upper gap layer made of a nonmagnetic electrically conductive material and laminated on the MR multilayer, an insulation gap layer made of an insulation material and formed at least between the lower shield layer and the upper gap layer, an upper shield layer laminated on the upper gap layer and the insulation gap layer, and an additional insulation layer formed so that a distance between the lower shield layer and the upper gap layer increases at a location where the MR multilayer is absent.

Abstract: A high output, magnetoresistive head with a CPP structure is disclosed which reduces or prevents deformation near the air bearing surface of the read element portion layer at the time of air bearing surface processing. In the CPP structure magnetoresistive head, the deformation near the air bearing surface as a result of mechanical polishing during the air bearing surface processing can be reduced by forming deformation prevention layers having a higher shear modulus than a first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer between a magnetoresistive film and at least one of a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive sensor has a bottom shield, a nonmagnetic metallic pedestal, a bottom reader gap, a biasing element, a magnetoresistive stack, current leads, a top reader gap, and a top shield. The nonmagnetic metallic pedestal is positioned on a portion of the bottom shield and the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal has a width less than the width of the bottom shield. The bottom reader gap is positioned on the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal and on the bottom shield such that a portion of the bottom reader gap over the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal is raised relative to portions of the bottom reader gap not over the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head having one or more magneto-resistive (MR) elements. A thermally conductive stud is incorporated in an underlayer of the head, below the bottom shield of the MR element. This stud acts as a heat sink, and enhances the heat flow from the bottom shield to the substrate to thereby reduce thermal contact noise in the device, as well as allowing use of higher bias currents when reading signals from the media.

Abstract: In a thin-film magnetic head having a multilayered film developing a magnetoresistive effect, which is present between an upper shielding layer and a lower shielding layer both formed above an AlTiC substrate, a recess for defining the lower shielding layer is formed in an underlayer present on a surface of the AlTiC substrate, and a lower shielding layer made of NiFe is provided in the recess. A SiO2 film is interposed between the underlayer and the lower shielding layer.

Abstract: This invention teaches a way for the shield to shield (S1-S2) distance of a magnetic read head to be reduced. The key feature is that the upper and lower dielectric layers D1 and D3, which are normally pure aluminum oxide, have each been replaced by a bilayer dielectric, which consists of aluminum oxide in contact with the shield layer followed by a layer of a high voltage breakdown material. For D1 this layer may be either tantalum oxide or tantalum nitride while for D3 our preferred material has been tantalum oxide. The addition of the two high breakdown layers allows the thickness of the upper and lower dielectric layers to be reduced without having to reduce the S2—S2 voltage difference.

Abstract: A horizontal combined head is provided which has both a thin film write and an MR read element located at an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element can be formed with a track width that is independent of the track width of the write element. The MR sensor or the read element is separated from one of the first and second pole pieces of the write element by an insulation layer. Accordingly, the shields for the read element remain more stable after a write operation. In one embodiment of the present invention a single stripe MR sensor is employed while in a second embodiment a dual stripe MR sensor is employed. A method of the invention includes forming the dual MR stripe in a single process step so that the dual MR stripes of the dual MR sensor are near identical for implementing near absolute common mode rejection of noise.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a gap layer which may be made of a SiON film to increase Young's modulus E to about 123.3 (GPa) or more. As a result, the gap layer is less pushed from a surface facing a recording medium in the height direction during lapping of the surface facing the recording medium, thereby decreasing the amount of protrusion of the gap layer from the facing surface as compared with a conventional magnetic head.

Abstract: An MR thin-film magnetic head includes a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer, a MR multilayer sandwiched between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer, the MR multilayer being electrically connected with the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer, a current flowing through the MR multilayer in a direction perpendicular to surfaces of layers, and an insulation gap layer formed between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. At least a part of the insulation gap layer is made of an insulation material with a dielectric constant lower than that of Al2O3.

Abstract: A first shielding layer and a second shielding layer are disposed by a given distance. An MR film is disposed in between the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer. The first gap film is formed on the MR film with commensurate to the surface configuration thereof. Magnetic domain controlling films are disposed at both sides of the MR film, respectively. Electrode layers are formed on the magnetic domain controlling layers, respectively. One of the second gap layers is located between the MR film; the magnetic domain controlling layers and the first shielding layer, and the other is located between the first gap layer; the electrode layer and the second shielding layer.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a read sensor which includes a shield, a sensor element, a read gap positioned between the shield and the sensor element, and an extra gap positioned between the shield and the sensor element and adjacent the read gap. The sensor element is positioned in a sensor layer. With the sensor element and the shield separated by only the relatively thin gap layer, high sensitivity of the sensor element is obtained. Further, by placing the relatively thick extra gap between the shield and the sensor layer and about the sensor element, the potential for shorting is minimized. The shield can be planarized to keep the read gap and the sensor layer at, and about, the sensor element substantially planar. This, in turn, results in improved control of sensor track widths and greatly reduces the potential for pooling of photoresist.

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: The method of making a thin-film magnetic head in accordance with the present invention forms a cover layer on an insulating layer about a magnetoresistive film so as to eliminate a protrusion riding on the magnetoresistive film. Then, the protrusion can be eliminated by etching. The part of insulating layer clad with the cover layer is not etched. This can prevent short-circuit from occurring because of thinning the insulating layer.

Abstract: A giant magneto-resistive effect element includes a laminated layer film having a ferromagnetic film, a non-magnetic film and an anti-ferromagnetic film. A current is caused to flow in the direction perpendicular to the film plane of the laminated layer film by upper and lower electrodes. Hard magnetic films are directly connected to both sides in the width direction of the laminated layer film. Insulating films are formed above or under the hard magnetic films. A current path between the upper electrodes or the lower electrodes and the laminated layer film is restricted by an opening defined between the insulating layers at both sides. The hard magnetic films have a specific resistance substantially the same as or larger than that of the laminated layer film. Further, there are provided a magneto-resistive effect type head, a thin-film magnetic memory and a thin-film magnetic sensor including the above-mentioned giant magneto-resistive effect element.

Abstract: A method for forming a planar GMR read-head having a narrow read gap, a narrow track-width and being well insulated from its lower shield. The method requires the formation of a planarized bottom magnetic shield in which concave regions, symmetrically disposed about a track-width region, are filled with a layer of dielectric to provide added insulation. The dielectric filled shield is planarized and an additional planar dielectric layer, a thin planar GMR sensor layer and a planar PMGI layer of uniform thickness is formed on it. A layer of photoresist is deposited on the PMGI layer and a bi-layer lift-off stencil of uniform height above the GMR layer and symmetric overhang regions is formed. The uniformity of the lift-off stencil, which is a result of the planarity of the layers on which it is formed, allows the deposition of conductive lead and biasing layers with controlled overspread.

Abstract: In a lead overlay (LOL) type of read head first and second insulation layers are employed with the first insulation layer being located between a top surface of a first hard bias layer and a first lead layer and the second insulation layer is located between the top surface of a second hard bias layer and a second lead layer for minimizing a shunting of a sense current through the hard bias layers into a read sensor.

Abstract: First and second embodiments of thin-film magnetic heads each including a magnetoresistive element for reading out information as a result of moving relative to a magnetic recording medium. Each thin-film magnetic head includes a base, a lower shield layer that is formed on the base, a lower insulating layer, the magnetoresistive element, an upper insulating layer which is formed on the magnetoresistive element, and an upper shield layer. In order to make uniform the separation between each upper shield layer and its corresponding lower shield layer in the vicinity of its corresponding magnetoresistive element, a middle insulating layer is formed in the same film plane as its corresponding magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: An MR thin-film magnetic head includes a lower shield layer, an MR multilayer laminated on the lower shield layer, in the MR multilayer, a current flowing in a direction perpendicular to surfaces of layers of the MR multilayer, an upper gap layer made of a nonmagnetic electrically conductive material and laminated on the MR multilayer, an insulation gap layer made of insulation material and formed between the lower shield layer and the upper gap layer, and an upper shield layer laminated on the upper gap layer. A thickness of the insulation gap layer is larger than that of the upper gap layer.

Abstract: A horizontal combined head is provided which has both a thin film write and an MR read element located at an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element can be formed with a track width that is independent of the track width of the write element. The MR sensor or the read element is separated from one of the first and second pole pieces of the write element by an insulation layer. Accordingly, the shields for the read element remain more stable after a write operation. In one embodiment of the present invention a single stripe MR sensor is employed while in a second embodiment a dual stripe MR sensor is employed. A method of the invention includes forming the dual MR stripe in a single process step so that the dual MR stripes of the dual MR sensor are near identical for implementing near absolute common mode rejection of noise.

Abstract: A read head includes: an MR element that detects a magnetic field; a pair of electrode layers for feeding a sense current to the MR element; and a bottom shield layer and a top shield layer that sandwich and shield the MR element and the electrode layers; a bottom insulating layer disposed between the MR element/the electrode layers and the bottom shield layer; a top insulating layer disposed between the MR element/the electrode layers and the top shield layer; a bottom semiconductor layer that is made up of a single layer and disposed between the electrode layers and the bottom shield layer, for connecting the electrode layers and the bottom shield layer; and a top semiconductor layer that is made up of a single layer and disposed between the electrode layers and the top shield layer, for connecting the electrode layers and the top shield layer.

Abstract: This invention teaches a way for the shield to shield (S1-S2) distance of a magnetic read head to be reduced. The key feature is that the upper and lower dielectric layers D1 and D3, which are normally pure aluminum oxide, have each been replaced by a bilayer dielectric, which consists of aluminum oxide in contact with the shield layer followed by a layer of a high voltage breakdown material. For D1 this layer may be either tantalum oxide or tantalum nitride while for D3 our preferred material has been tantalum oxide. The addition of the two high breakdown layers allows the thickness of the upper and lower dielectric layers to be reduced without having to reduce the S2—S2 voltage difference.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of the present invention includes a magnetic head wherein the read head portions have gap insulation layers between the magnetic shields. The gap insulation layers are made up of multilayered laminations of an oxide or nitride of a metal such as aluminum, silicon, chromium, and tantalum. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes laminated G1 and G2 gap insulation layers having 5-10 laminations, and having a total thickness of approximately 50 Å to 500 Å.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a lower gap layer and/or an upper gap layer made of an AlSiO film having a Si content of 2 at % to 9 at % of the total or an AlSiON film further having a N content of 2 at % to 10 at %. Therefore, the insulation performance, developer resistance, smoothness and heat radiation property of the gap layer can be improved as compared with a gap layer made of Al2O3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a CPP structure magnetoresistive head having high output which reduces or prevents deformation near the air bearing surface of a layer constituting a read element portion at the time of air bearing surface processing. In the CPP structure magnetoresistive head, deformation near the air bearing surface which occurs when air bearing surface processing is carried out by mechanical polishing can be reduced by forming deformation prevention layers having a higher shear modulus than a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer between a magnetoresistive film and at least one of a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer.

Abstract: A magneto-resistance effect type head (MR head) is formed of a laminated structure by using a thin film forming technique. In the magneto-resistance effect type head, an insulating layer, a lower shield layer, a lower gap layer, a magnetic resistance effect layer, an upper gap layer, an upper shield layer, and a protective layer are layered in sequence on one end of a base plate. A fine concave-convex portion is formed by means of etching on one end face of the base plate of which side is adjacent to the insulating layer so that the insulating layer can strictly be adhered to the base plate. The concave-convex portion is formed by means of ion etching using Argon gas or the like so as to be a surface roughness in the range of 1 to 100 nm.