Abstract: A method for making a tunnel valve head with a flux guide, a tunnel valve sensor having an isolated flux guide, and a magnetic storage system using a tunnel valve sensor having an isolated flux guide is disclosed. The tunnel valve senors is created by forming a tunnel valve at a first shield layer, the tunnel valve comprising a free layer distal to the first shield layer, depositing a first insulation layer over the first shield layer and around the tunnel valve, depositing a flux guide over the first insulation layer and coupling to the tunnel valve at the free layer, covering the flux guide with a second insulation layer and forming a second shield layer over the second insulation, wherein 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: In a magnetic head having magnetic yoke layers, each magnetic yoke layer includes a yoke projecting portion (2A) projected toward a recording medium, and yoke setback portions (2B) set back from the yoke projecting portion. A first bias magnetic field applying film (5) of an antiferromagnetic material is formed to cover the yoke projecting portion whereas a second bias magnetic field applying film (6) of a ferromagnetic material may be formed on opposite side surfaces of the yoke projecting portion.

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 flux guided magnetic tunnel junction head includes a ferromagnetic pinned layer having an active region with a front edge recessed from a sensing surface, and a non-active region located between the sensing surface and the active region. The non-active region of the ferromagnetic pinned layer is rendered substantially non-conducting by chemically processing the ferromagnetic material of the ferromagnetic pinned layer in this region. The flux guided MTJ head also includes a ferromagnetic free layer having a front edge substantially coplanar with a sensing surface. The ferromagnetic free layer can function as a flux guide to direct magnetic flux from a recording medium to the tunnel junction. The location of the front edge of the ferromagnetic pinned layer prevents any shorting of the flux guided MTJ head occurring when the head is lapped at the sensing surface.

Abstract: A tunnel valve sensor and flux guide has improved flux transfer therebetween by providing a magnetic oxide insulation layer which is located between and interfaces a back surface of the flux guide and a front surface of the tunnel valve sensor. Since this insulation layer has magnetic properties an increased amount of flux is transferred between the flux guide to the tunnel valve sensor for rotating a magnetic moment of a free layer in the tunnel valve sensor.

Abstract: A tunnel valve sensor has a flux guide which has at least one iron nitride (FeN) layer and preferably a lamination of iron nitride (FeN) and nickel iron molybdenum (NiFeMo) layers wherein in the first instance the read gap is reduced and in the second instance the read gap is reduced and the sensitivity of the read head is increased.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a transducer element, which: transducer element is a Spin Tunnel Junction, comprising a first and second magnetic layer which are sandwiched about an interposed electrical insulator layer; the sensor comprises a yoke having two arms; and the first magnetic layer is in direct contact with a first portion of a first arm of the yoke.

Abstract: A magnetic read head includes a tunnel junction sensor that has front and back surfaces that are recessed from the ABS and a flux guide that includes a ferromagnetic flux guide body with front and back surfaces wherein the front surface forms a portion of the ABS and the back surface is magnetically coupled to the tunnel junction sensor. A flux guide body has a middle portion between first and second side portions and first and second antiferromagnetic layers wherein the first antiferromagnetic layer is magnetically coupled to the first side portion and the second antiferromagnetic layer is magnetically coupled to the second side portion for pinning magnetic moments of the first and second side portions so that only a magnetic moment of the middle portion defines a track width of the sensor and responds to field signals from a rotating magnetic disk. The first and second antiferromagnetic layers have side walls which are perpendicular to the ABS and spaced apart by the track width.

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 read head, which can be submicron, has an antiparallel (AP) coupled flux guide which is located at an air bearing surface and guides field signals from a rotating magnetic disk to a tunnel junction sensor which is recessed in the head. Because of the highly stable characteristics of the AP flux guide, first and second hard bias layers at the side edges of the flux guide are not required in order to stabilize the magnetization of the flux guide. The AP flux guide has first and second AP layers with oppositely oriented magnetizations so that the flux guide has a net magnetization which is the difference between the magnetizations of the first and second AP layers. These thicknesses are designed to provide a desired uniaxial anisotropy HK and magnetic softness of the AP flux guide.

Abstract: A magnetic head is provided. The magnetic head comprises a magnetoresistance film, a flux guide, and a flux-guide regulating film. The flux guide guides a signal magnetic field from a magnetic recording medium to the magnetoresistance film. The flux-guide regulating film aligns magnetic domains of the flux guide into a single magnetic domain.

Abstract: The part of an MR element 25 which lies close to a medium-facing surface 10a overlaps that part of a flux-guiding element 24 which lies remote from the medium-facing surface 10a, with a second gap film 23b interposed between the elements 24 and 25. Further, the MR element 25 overlaps the flux-guiding element 24 for a distance that falls within a range of 15 to 25% of the length of the MR height of the element 25 as measured in a direction perpendicular to the medium-facing surface 10a.

Abstract: In a thin-film magnetic head manufacturing method and apparatus, lapping is continued until the MR height of a magnetoresistive sensor falls into a finish tolerance range and the lapping time from the beginning of lapping exceeds a predetermined time, thereby substantially reducing the recession between an ABS of a slider bar and a surface of a thin-film magnetic element opposing a recording medium.

Abstract: A current perpendicular-to-the-plane magnetoresistance (CPP-MR) device includes a first magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield, and a spin valve structure. The first and second magnetic shields are formed of an electrically conductive and magnetically shielding material. A read gap is defined between the first and second magnetic shields, and the spin valve structure is disposed between the first and second magnetic shields. The spin valve structure is electrically connected and magnetically separated from the first and second magnetic shields such that the first and second magnetic shields act as electrical contact leads.

Abstract: According to the invention, the magnetoresistance (25) is coupled to a secondary air gap (15) formed by two hollowed out magnetic parts (12-1, 12-2). Applicable to the measurement of magnetic fields.

Abstract: In the present invention, a common lead and shield layer is used so as to be electrically contacted with a tunnel multilayered film for supplying a sense current to the tunnel multilayered film. The common lead and shield layer extends to a rear portion of the tunnel multilayered film from an ABS (Air Bearing Surface) so that a part of the common lead and shield layer located at the rear portion of the tunnel multilayered film serves as a back flux guide for improving a read output. Therefore, a lead gap can be remarkably reduced to easily achieve the high-density recording. Further, a large and stable head output suitable for the ultra-high density recording can be obtained with an improved biasing efficiency.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive element includes a magnetic substrate; a magnetic layer; and a non-magnetic layer provided between the magnetic substrate and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magneto-resistance effect head records and reproduces recorded magnetic material. The magneto-resistance effect head has a magneto-resistance effect film connected to a pair of leads. Additionally, a magnetic yoke, with a first and second magnetic yoke member, directs a signal magnetic field from a recording medium to the magneto-resistance effect film. The magneto-resistance effect head is constructed such that the first and second magnetic yoke members have surfaces that face the recording medium. The surfaces of the first and second magnetic yoke members have a magnetic gap between them. Additionally, the magneto-resistance effect film is recessed from the medium facing surfaces by a predetermined distance. Moreover, the first and second magnetic yoke members are aligned almost in parallel with the magnetic flux flow from the recording medium to the first magnetic yoke member, the magneto-resistance effect film, and the second magnetic yoke member.

Abstract: In a yoke type reproducing magnetic head, a magnetoresistance effect film can be arranged in the vicinity of a medium facing surface, so that sensitivity is improved. The yoke type reproducing magnetic head comprises: a pair of magnetic yokes which face each other via a magnetic gap, at least one of the pair of magnetic yokes extending from a medium facing surface to a position retracted from the medium facing surface; a magnetoresistance effect film which has a curved portion protruding toward the medium facing surface in the magnetic gap and which is magnetically connected to the magnetic yokes; and an electrode which is electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head having improved characteristics, using a magnetoresistive device in which current flows across the film plane such as a TMR device. In a first magnetic head of the present invention, when the area of a non-magnetic layer is defined as a device cross-section area, and the area of a yoke is defined as a yoke area, viewed along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate over which the yoke and the magnetoresistive device are formed, then the device cross-section area is not less than 30% of the yoke area, so that a resistance increase of the device cross-section area is suppressed. In a second magnetic head of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device is formed on a substrate, and a yoke is provided above a non-magnetic layer constituting the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spin valve magnetoresistive sensor including a first conductor layer, a free ferromagnetic layer provided on the first conductor layer, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer provided on the free ferromagnetic layer, a pinned ferromagnetic layer provided on the nonmagnetic intermediate layer, an antiferromagnetic layer provided on the pinned ferromagnetic layer, and a second conductor layer provided on the antiferromagnetic layer. At least one of the free ferromagnetic layer and the pinned ferromagnetic layer has a thickness larger than that providing a maximum resistance change rate or resistance change amount in the case of passing a current in an in-plane direction of the at least one layer. That is, the thickness of at least one of the free ferromagnetic layer and the pinned ferromagnetic layer falls in the range of 3 nm to 12 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magneto-resistive tunnel junction head having a tunnel multilayered film composed of a tunnel barrier layer, and a ferromagnetic free layer and a ferromagnetic pinned layer formed to sandwich the tunnel barrier layer therebetween, wherein the ferromagnetic free layer comprises, in an integral fashion, a free layer main portion substantially constituting a part of the tunnel multilayered film, a front flux guide portion extending on a front side of the free layer main portion, and a back flux guide portion extending on a back side thereof, wherein the front flux guide portion constitutes a part of an ABS (Air Bearing Surface), and wherein a width-direction length Lm of the free layer main portion is set greater than a width-direction length Lf of the front flux guide portion and a width-direction length Lb of the back flux guide portion.

Abstract: There are provided a magnetic reproducing head and a magnetic recording head, which are easy to manufacture and suited for recording and reproducing by means of magnetic recording medium of narrow track size. The magnetic reproducing head is constituted by a GMR or TMR magnetic sensor, and a flux guide for introducing a magnetic flux into the magnetic sensor, wherein at least a portion of the flux guide is constituted by a material which is capable of permitting the magnetic flux to pass therethrough at a temperature of not lower than a predetermined temperature Tp, but not permitting the magnetic flux to pass therethrough at a temperature of lower than Tp.

Abstract: There are provided a magnetoresistive sensor of the type of flowing a signal sensing current perpendicular to the plane to improve resolution at reproducing a signal, a magnetic head using the magnetoresistive sensor, and a magnetic disk apparatus.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises: a TMR element; a lower electrode layer and an upper electrode layer for feeding a current used for signal detection to the TMR element; and an insulating layer provided between the lower and upper electrode layers and located adjacent to a side of the TMR element. The thin-film magnetic head further comprises: an FFG layer that introduces a signal flux to the TMR element, the FFG layer touching one of the top surfaces of the TMR element and extending from the region in which the TMR element is located to the region in which the insulating layer is located; and a base film located between the FFG layer and the insulating layer and used as a base when the FFG layer is formed.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic tunnel effective film has a free layer, and a pinned layer and a tunnel barrier layer sandwiched between the free layer and the pinned layer. A bias magnetic field-inductive layer applies a given magnetic field to the free layer, and has its larger width than that of the ferromagnetic tunnel effective film in the bias magnetic field direction. A flux guide layer is stacked with the bias magnetic field-inductive layer, and magnetically combined with the free layer. One end of the flux guide layer constitutes a flux probe portion having its smaller width than that of the bias magnetic field-inductive layer and projecting from the ends of the bias magnetic field-inductive layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor employing a magnetoresistive sensor film of a GMR film or a TMR film and a magnetic flux guide to ensure high sensitivity and high stability.

Abstract: A tunnel magnetoresistive effective element has a ferromagnetic tunnel effective film with a free layer, a pinned layer and a tunnel barrier layer sandwiched between the free layer and the pinned layer, a magnetic bias means, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer. The magnetic bias means apply a bias magnetic field to the free layer of the ferromagnetic tunnel effective film. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer generate magnetic fields having the same direction as that of the bias magnetic field through a sense current therein to reinforce the bias magnetic field.

Abstract: An exchange coupling film, magnetic sensor having the exchange coupling film, and a magnetic head having the same. The exchange coupling film includes a ferromagnetic layer and an antiferromagnetic layer where a total a magnetic anisotropy is controlled to be dispersed by annealing or depositing the film in rotating magnetic fields. Small local magnetic regions of different uniaxial anisotropy are introduced in the exchange coupling film. The magnetic anisotropy dispersion of the exchange coupling film results in prohibiting large domain wall transfer of an irreversible change in magnetization direction and suppressing BHN.

Abstract: In a thin-film magnetic head manufacturing method and apparatus, lapping is continued until the MR height of a magnetoresistive sensor falls into a finish tolerance range and the lapping time from the beginning of lapping exceeds a predetermined time, thereby substantially reducing the recession between an ABS of a slider bar and a surface of a thin-film magnetic element opposing a recording medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetoresistive effect sensor that is a yoke type magnetoresistive effect sensor having a tunnel magnetoresistive effect film, which is operated stably with suppressed Barkhausen noise, and provides a reproducing head and a magnetic disk apparatus that use the magnetoresistive effect sensor. The magnetoresistive effect sensor is provided with a tunnel magnetoresistive effect film, a pair of electrodes for supplying a current in the film thickness direction of the magnetoresistive effect film, and a magnetic flux guide for guiding a magnetic flux from the recording medium surface to the magnetoresistive effect film, wherein the magnetic domain of a free layer of the tunnel type magnetoresistive effect film and the magnetic domain of the magnetic flux guide are both controllable together.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a recording magnetic yoke on the side of an air bearing surface of which a recording magnetic gap film is interposed and a reproducing magnetic yoke on the side of an air bearing surface of which a reproducing magnetic gap film is interposed. The magnetic yoke can serve concurrently for recording/reproducing. A recording coil supplying a recording magnetic flux to a recording medium through a recording magnetic yoke is disposed along one main surface of a magnetic yoke. An MR element in which a signal magnetic flux is led from a recording medium through a reproducing magnetic yoke is disposed along the other main surface on opposite side from a recording coil of a magnetic yoke. Or, at least on extension of a film plane of a magnetic gap film, a ferromagnetic layer is disposed so as for a film plane to exist in almost perpendicular direction relative to the film plane.

Abstract: The back end of an MR sensor and a flux guide are joined by a contiguous self-aligned junction so that a predictable overlap of the flux guide on the back end of the MR sensor can be achieved for optimizing signal flux density in the MR sensor. Lead/longitudinal bias layers for the MR sensor are also joined by a contiguous selfaligned junction to the flux guide for stabilizing the flux guide. By employing a single lift off resist mask the MR sensor and the lead/longitudinal bias layers can be patterned followed by deposition of the flux guide. The flux guide is a bilayer of an insulation material layer and a flux guide material layer. The insulation material layer is sandwiched between the MR sensor and the flux guide material layer and between the lead/longitudinal bias layers and the flux guide material layer. A heat guide or combined flux guide and heat guide may be substituted for the aforementioned flux guide.

Abstract: Thin film magnetic head has magnetoresistive element (23) and flux-guiding elements (117a,117b) of a material having a relatively high magnetic permeability, and an intermediate layer between the magnetoresistive element and the flux-guiding elements, the intermediate layer (21) being electrically insulating, and having a relatively low magnetic permeability of between 1.1 and 25. The low permeability intermediate layer increases the magnetic flux between the magnetoresistive element and the flux-guiding elements, and thereby improves the efficiency of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A read head has a flux guide layer that is immediately adjacent (abuts) the back edge of a read sensor. The flux guide layer is made of a high resistance soft magnetic material that conducts magnetic flux from the back edge of the read sensor so that the magnetic response at the back edge of the read sensor is significantly higher than zero. This increases the efficiency of the read sensor. The material for the flux guide layer is A-B-C where A is selected from the group Fe and Co, B is selected from the group Hf, Y, Ta and Zr and C is selected from the group O and N. In a preferred embodiment A-B-C is Fe—Hf—O and the Ms&rgr; of the flux guide layer is greater than 50 times the Ms&rgr; of the read sensor layer where the read sensor layer is NiFe, Ms is saturation magnetization and &rgr; is resistivity. Because of the flux guides high resistance current shunting losses are nearly eliminated.

Abstract: Thin-film magnetic head having a head face (103) and comprising a magnetoresistive element (109) oriented transversely to the head face and a flux-guiding element (107) of a magnetically permeable material terminating in the head face. A peripheral area (109a) of the magnetoresistive element extending parallel to the head face is present opposite the flux-guiding element for forming a magnetic connection between the magnetoresistive element and the flux-guiding element. The flux-guiding element and the peripheral area of the magnetoresistive element constitute a common magnetic contact face (111), while the magnetically permeable material of the flux-guiding element is electrically insulating.

Abstract: The back end of an MR sensor and a flux guide are joined by a contiguous self-aligned junction so that a predictable overlap of the flux guide on the back end of the MR sensor can be achieved for optimizing signal flux density in the MR sensor. Lead/longitudinal bias layers for the MR sensor are also joined by a contiguous self-aligned junction to the flux guide for stabilizing the flux guide. By employing a single lift off resist mask the MR sensor and the lead/longitudinal bias layers can be patterned followed by deposition of the flux guide. The flux guide is a bilayer of an insulation material layer and a flux guide material layer. The insulation material layer is sandwiched between the MR sensor and the flux guide material layer and between the lead/longitudinal bias layers and the flux guide material layer. A heat guide or combined flux guide and heat guide may be substituted for the aforementioned flux guide.

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 for transferring an information code onto the synchronization track of a video tape is described. The code is recorded during intervals between synch pulses by adding code pulses of the same magnetization as the recorded synch pulses on the synchronization track. The code pulses, at least in part, overlap the synch pulse with the length of the code pulses representing binary values. With this technique, an erasure of pre-recorded synch pulses is not required. A recording device is used that contains a generator of code pulses and at least two timing elements which are set when a synch signal in response to a detected synch pulse is produced. One of timing elements operates a mode changeover switch and the other activates the code pulse generator. A reading device is used and contains two threshold detectors which detect two synch signals, representative of the beginning and ending of recorded synch signals. In response at least one timing element is started at the beginning of the synch signal.