Top formed grating stabilizer
View Patent ↗A magneto-resistive sensor head and a method of manufacturing the magneto-resistive sensor head. The magneto-resistive sensor head includes a first lead and a second lead. A magneto-resistive layer and a biasing layer are disposed between the first lead and the second lead. A grating is disposed in the magneto-resistive layer. The topography of the biasing layer is unaffected by the presence of the grating.
1. A magneto-resistive sensor head comprising:
a first lead comprising one of a magnet, a conducting material, or both a magnet and a conducting material;
a second lead comprising one of a magnet, a conducting material, or both a magnet and a conducting material;
a magneto-resistive layer disposed between the first lead and the second lead;
a biasing layer disposed between the first lead and the second lead; and
a grating disposed in the magneto-resistive layer, wherein a topography of the biasing layer is unaffected by the presence of the grating.
2. The magneto-resistive sensor head of claim 1 wherein:
a surface of the biasing layer forms a portion of a bottom surface of the magneto-resistive sensor head;
a surface of the magneto-resistive layer forms a portion of a top surface of the magneto-resistive sensor head; and
the grating is disposed on the top surface of the magneto-resistive sensor head.
3. The magneto-resistive sensor head of claim 1 wherein the magneto-resistive layer comprises a plurality of sub-layers comprising at least Nickel-Iron and Nickel-Cobalt alloys.
4. The magneto-resistive sensor head of claim 1 wherein the magneto-resistive layer comprises an anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor.
5. The magneto-resistive sensor head of claim 1 wherein the magneto-resistive layer comprises a giant magneto-resistive sensor.
6. The magneto-resistive sensor head of claim 1 wherein the first lead and the second lead are permanent magnets.
7. A method of manufacturing a magneto-resistive sensor head, said method comprising:
forming a magneto-resistive layer;
attaching both a first lead and a second lead to a biasing layer and to the magneto-resistive layer;
forming a grating into the magneto-resistive layer while leaving the biasing layer unperturbed.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein:
a surface of the biasing layer forms a portion of a bottom surface of the magneto-resistive sensor head;
a surface of the magneto-resistive layer forms a portion of a top surface of the magneto-resistive sensor head; and
the step of forming is performed from the top surface of the magneto-resistive sensor head.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of forming a magneto-resistive layer further comprises depositing a plurality of sub-layers comprising at least Nickel-Iron and Nickel-Cobalt alloys, said plurality of sub-layers disposed on a substrate.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of forming a magneto-resistive layer further comprises forming an anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of forming a magneto-resistive layer further comprises forming a giant magneto-resistive sensor.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein the first lead and the second lead are permanent magnets.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one sub-layer of the plurality of sub-layers has a thickness different than all of the other sub-layers.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein a thickness of at least one sub-layer of the plurality of sub-layers remains unchanged after the step of forming is complete.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the topography of at least one sub-layer of the plurality of sub-layers remains unchanged after the step of forming is complete.