Head with self-pinned structure having pinned layer extending beyond track edges of the free layer

1. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer;

a bias layer spaced apart from the AP pinned layer structure, a magnetic moment of the bias layer being pinned; and

a free layer positioned between the AP pinned layer structure and the bias layer;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends at least about 0.1 microns beyond each track edge of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS.

2. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer;

a bias layer spaced apart from the AP pinned layer structure, a magnetic moment of the bias layer being pinned; and

a free layer positioned between the AP pinned layer structure and the bias layer;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends beyond track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS,

wherein the pinned layer positioned closest to the free layer does not extend beyond the track edges of the free layer.

3. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer;

a bias layer spaced apart from the AP pinned layer structure, a magnetic moment of the bias layer being pinned;

a free layer positioned between the AP pinned layer structure and the bias layer;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends beyond track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, and

at least one antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned outside the track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, each AFM layer being for pinning a magnetic orientation of portions of the pinned layer positioned outside the track edges of the free layer.

4. A head as recited in claim 3 , wherein each of the pinned layers extends beyond the track edges of the free layer.

5. A magnetic storage system, comprising:

magnetic media;

at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic media, each head having:

a sensor having the structure recited in claim 3 ;

a write element coupled to the sensor;

a slider for supporting the head; and

a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head.

6. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer;

a bias layer spaced apart from the AP pinned layer structure, a magnetic moment of the bias layer being pinned;

a free layer positioned between the AP pinned layer structure and the bias layer;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends beyond track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, and

at least one antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned outside the track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, each AFM layer being for pinning a magnetic orientation of portions of the pinned layer closest thereto and positioned outside the track edges of the free layer.

7. A head as recited in claim 6 , wherein the head forms part of a CPP GMR sensor.

8. A head as recited in claim 6 , wherein the head forms part of a CIP GMR sensor.

9. A head as recited in claim 6 , wherein the head forms part of a tunnel valve sensor.

10. A head as recited in claim 6 , wherein the head forms part of a GMR head.

11. A magnetic storage system, comprising: magnetic media;

at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic media, each head having:

a sensor having the structure recited in claim 6 ;

a write element coupled to the sensor;

a slider for supporting the head; and

a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head.

12. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS) comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer;

a free layer positioned towards the AP pinned layer structure;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends beyond track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, and

at least one antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned outside the track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, each AFM layer being for pinning a magnetic orientation of portions of the pinned layer positioned outside the track edges of the free layer.

13. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer; and

a free layer positioned towards the AP pinned layer structure;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends beyond track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS,

wherein the pinned layer positioned closest to the free layer does not extend beyond the track edges of the free layer.

14. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer;

a free layer positioned towards the AP pinned layer structure;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends beyond track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, and

at least one antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned outside the track edges of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS, each AFM layer being for pinning a magnetic orientation of portions of the pinned layer closest thereto and positioned outside the track edges of the free layer.

15. A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure having at least two pinned layers with magnetic moments that are self-pinned antiparallel to each other, the pinned layers being separated by an AP coupling layer; and

a free layer positioned towards the AP pinned layer structure;

wherein at least one of the pinned layers extends at least about 0.1 microns beyond each track edge of the free layer in a direction parallel to the ABS.

16. A head as recited in claim 15 , wherein the head forms part of a CPP GMR sensor.

17. A head as recited in claim 15 , wherein the head forms part of a CIP GMR sensor.

18. A head as recited in claim 15 , wherein the head forms part of a tunnel valve sensor.

19. A head as recited in claim 15 , wherein the head forms part of a GMR head.

20. A head as recited in claim 15 , wherein each of the pinned layers extends beyond the track edges of the free layer.