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Magnetoresistive spin valve sensor with improved pinned ferromagnetic layer and magnetic recording system using the sensor

  • US 5,465,185 A
  • Filed: 10/15/1993
  • Issued: 11/07/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A magnetoresistive sensor comprising:

  • a first layer and a second layer of ferromagnetic material separated by a spacer layer of nonmagnetic material, the magnetization direction of said first layer of ferromagnetic material being at an angle relative to the magnetization direction of said second layer of ferromagnetic material at zero applied magnetic field, the second layer of ferromagnetic material comprising first and second ferromagnetic films antiferromagnetically coupled to one another and an antiferromagnetically coupling film located between and in contact with the first and second ferromagnetic films for coupling the first and second ferromagnetic films together antiferromagnetically so that their magnetizations are aligned antiparallel with one another and remain antiparallel in the presence of an applied magnetic field; and

    means for maintaining the magnetization of one of the ferromagnetic films in the second ferromagnetic layer in a fixed direction in the presence of an applied magnetic field, whereby while the magnetization of the first layer is free to rotate in the presence of an applied magnetic field the magnetization directions of the first and second ferromagnetic films in the second layer remain fixed and antiparallel to one another.

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