Method and apparatus for providing a self-pinned bias layer that extends beyond the ends of the free layer
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for enhancing thermal stability, improving biasing and reducing damage from electrical surges in self-pinned abutted junction heads. The head includes a free layer having a first end and a second end defining a width selected to form a desired trackwidth and an extended self-pinned bias layer extending beyond the ends of the free layer, the self-pinned bias layer extending beyond the free layer increasing the volume of the extended self-pinned bias layer to provide greater thermal stability and stronger pinning of the free layer.
1. A self-pinned abutted junction magnetic read sensor, comprising:
a free layer having a first end and a second end defining a width selected to form a desired trackwidth; and
a self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer extending beyond the ends of the free layer.
2. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a self-pinned layer formed on a side of the free layer opposite from the self-pinned bias layer, the self-pinned layer extending beyond the ends of the free layer wherein the free layer is disposed at a central region of the self-pinned layer.
3. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a first and second hard bias layer abutting at least a portion of the first and second ends of the free layer in a longitudinal direction.
4. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a spacer layer formed between the free layer and the self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer.
5. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a first shield layer interleaving the self-pinned layer between the first shield layer and the free layer and a second shield layer interleaving the self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer between the second shield layer and the free layer.
6. The sensor of claim 5 further comprising a first seed layer formed between the first shield layer and the self-pinned layer and a second seed layer formed between the self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer and the second shield layer.
7. A magnetic storage system, comprising:
a moveable magnetic storage medium for storing data thereon;
an actuator positionable relative to the moveable magnetic storage medium; and
a magnetoresistive sensor, coupled to the actuator, for reading data from the magnetic recording medium when position to a desired location by the actuator, wherein the magnetoresistive sensor further comprises:
a free layer having a first end and a second end defining a width selected to form a desired trackwidth; and
a self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer extending beyond the ends of the free layer.
8. The magnetic storage system of claim 7 further comprising a self-pinned layer formed on a side of the free layer opposite from the self-pinned bias layer, the self-pinned layer extending beyond the ends of the free layer wherein the free layer is disposed at a central region of the self-pinned layer.
9. The magnetic storage system of claim 7 further comprising a first and second hard bias layer abutting at least a portion of the first and second ends of the free layer in a longitudinal direction.
10. The magnetic storage system of claim 7 further comprising a spacer layer formed between the free layer and the self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer.
11. The magnetic storage system of claim 7 further comprising a first shield layer interleaving the self-pinned layer between the first shield layer and the free layer and a second shield layer interleaving the self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer between the second shield layer and the free layer.
12. The magnetic storage system of claim 11 further comprising a first seed layer formed between the first shield layer and the self-pinned layer and a second seed layer formed between the self-pinned ferromagnetic bias layer and the second shield layer.
13. A self-pinned abutted junction magnetic read sensor, comprising:
means for sensing having a first end and a second end defining a width selected to form a desired trackwidth; and
self-biased ferromagnetic means for biasing the means for sensing, the self-biased ferromagnetic means for biasing the means for sensing extending beyond the ends of the means for sensing.
14. A magnetic storage system, comprising:
a moveable magnetic storage means for storing data thereon;
an actuator positionable relative to the moveable magnetic storage medium; and
a magnetoresistive sensor, coupled to the actuator, for reading data from the magnetic recording medium when position to a desired location by the actuator, wherein the magnetoresistive sensor further comprises:
means for sensing having a first end and a second end defining a width selected to form a desired trackwidth; and
self-biased ferromagnetic means for biasing the means for sensing, the self-biased ferromagnetic means for biasing the means for sensing extending beyond the ends of the means for sensing.