Magnetic read head with reduced shunting
First Claim
1. A magnetic read head, comprising:
- a substrate;
a pinning layer deposited over the substrate;
a pinned layer deposited over the pinning layer;
a reference layer deposited over the pinned layer;
a tunneling barrier layer deposited over the reference layer;
a free layer deposited over the tunneling barrier layer, wherein the free layer is in contact with the tunneling barrier layer;
a back surface opposite an air bearing surface of the magnetic read head, wherein the back surface has been milled from a top side of the magnetic read head opposite the substrate partially through the free layer, thereby creating an exposed face of the free layer which is parallel to the substrate,wherein a first portion of the free layer between the exposed face and the tunneling barrier layer is oxidized,wherein the free layer, tunneling barrier layer, reference layer, pinned layer, and pinning layer have been milled along lateral sides of the magnetic read head which are perpendicular with respect to the back surface, andwherein at least a portion of the lateral sides of the magnetic read head comprise a face of a second portion of the free layer which is not oxidized.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic read head and a method for manufacturing a magnetic read head are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing the magnetic read head comprising a pinning layer disposed over a substrate of the magnetic read head, a pinned layer, a reference layer, a tunneling barrier layer, and a free layer, wherein the free layer is in contact with the tunneling barrier layer. The method further includes milling partially through the free layer from a back surface, thereby creating an exposed face of the free layer which is parallel to the substrate and oxidizing a portion of the free layer between the exposed face and the tunneling barrier layer. The method further includes milling through the free layer, tunneling barrier layer, reference layer, pinned layer, and pinning layer along lateral sides of the magnetic read head.
30 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A magnetic read head, comprising:
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a substrate; a pinning layer deposited over the substrate; a pinned layer deposited over the pinning layer; a reference layer deposited over the pinned layer; a tunneling barrier layer deposited over the reference layer; a free layer deposited over the tunneling barrier layer, wherein the free layer is in contact with the tunneling barrier layer; a back surface opposite an air bearing surface of the magnetic read head, wherein the back surface has been milled from a top side of the magnetic read head opposite the substrate partially through the free layer, thereby creating an exposed face of the free layer which is parallel to the substrate, wherein a first portion of the free layer between the exposed face and the tunneling barrier layer is oxidized, wherein the free layer, tunneling barrier layer, reference layer, pinned layer, and pinning layer have been milled along lateral sides of the magnetic read head which are perpendicular with respect to the back surface, and wherein at least a portion of the lateral sides of the magnetic read head comprise a face of a second portion of the free layer which is not oxidized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hard drive, comprising:
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a magnetic disk; an arm rotatably mounted to move over the magnetic disk; and a magnetic read head connected to an end of the arm comprising; a substrate; a pinning layer deposited over the substrate; a pinned layer deposited over the pinning layer; a reference layer deposited over the pinned layer; a tunneling barrier layer deposited over the reference layer; a free layer deposited over the tunneling barrier layer, wherein the free layer is in contact with the tunneling barrier layer; a back surface opposite an air bearing surface of the magnetic read head, wherein the air bearing surface of the magnetic read head faces the magnetic disk, wherein the back surface has been milled from a top side of the magnetic read head opposite the substrate partially through the free layer, thereby creating an exposed face of the free layer which is parallel to the substrate, wherein a first portion of the free layer between the exposed face and the tunneling barrier layer which is oxidized, wherein the free layer, tunneling barrier layer, reference layer, pinned layer, and pinning layer have been milled along lateral sides of the magnetic read head which are perpendicular with respect to the back surface, and wherein at least a portion of the lateral sides of the magnetic read head comprise a face of a second portion of the free layer which is not oxidized. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification