GMR sensor with end portion magnetization of pinned layer modified to reduce side reading effects

1. A magneto-resistive (MR) sensor, comprising:

a pinned layer;

a free layer disposed above the pinned layer;

a pair of leads disposed over portions of the free layer; and

a pinning layer disposed below the pinned layer;

wherein first portions of the pinned layer disposed below the leads have a first pinned layer magnetization parallel with a free layer magnetization, and a second portion of the pinned layer has a second pinned layer magnetization perpendicular with the free layer magnetization in the absence of an external field;

wherein the first portions of the pinned layer do not require presence of a biasing field to maintain the first pinned layer magnetization orientation.

2. The MR sensor as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising a spacer layer disposed between the free layer and the pinned layer.

3. The MR sensor as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first portions of the pinned layer are structurally modified by prior application of ion radiation to the MR sensor.

4. The MR sensor as recited in claim 3 , wherein the MR sensor is subjected to an external magnetic field during the ion radiation.

5. The MR sensor as recited in claim 3 , wherein the MR sensor is subjected to a predetermined temperature during the ion radiation.

6. The MR sensor as recited in claim 3 , wherein the MR sensor is masked with photoresist for protecting the second portion of the pinned layer from the ion radiation.

7. The MR sensor as recited in claim 3 , wherein the MR sensor is masked with photoresist for subjecting only the first portions of the pinned layer to the ion radiation.

8. The MR sensor as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first pinned layer magnetization reduces side-reading effects.

9. The MR sensor as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first pinned layer magnetization stabilizes the MR sensor.

10. A magneto-resistive (MR) sensor fabricated

utilizing a process, comprising:

depositing a pinning layer;

depositing a pinned layer above the pinning layer;

depositing a free layer above the pinned layer with a spacer layer therebetween;

positioning a mask on the free layer;

applying an external magnetic field to the MR sensor;

applying ion radiation to portions of the MR sensor not protected by the mask for setting a first pinned layer magnetization orientation of the unprotected portions of the pinned layer such that the unprotected portions of the pinned layer do not require presence of a biasing field to maintain the first pinned layer magnetization orientation;

depositing a pair of leads above the free layer; and

removing the mask.

11. A disk drive system, comprising:

a magnetic recording disk;

a magnetic head including:

a pinned layer,

a free layer disposed above the pinned layer with a spacer layer therebetween,

a pair of leads disposed over portions of the free layer, and

a pinning layer disposed below the pinned layer,

wherein first portions of the pinned layer disposed below the leads have a first pinned layer magnetization parallel with a free layer magnetization, and a second portion of the pinned layer has a second pinned layer magnetization perpendicular with the free layer magnetization in the absence of an external field;

wherein the first portions of the pinned layer do not require presence of a biasing field to maintain the first pinned layer magnetization orientation;

an actuator for moving the magnetic head across the magnetic recording disk so the magnetic head may access different regions of the magnetic recording disk; and

a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.