Magnetic sensor having an extended pinned layer with stitched antiferromagnetic pinning layer

摘要

A magnetic sensor having a novel pinning structure resulting in a greatly reduced gap spacing. The sensor has a magnetic free layer structure that extends to a first stripe height and a magnetic pinned layer structure that extends to a second stripe height that is longer than the first stripe high. A layer of anti-ferromagnetic material is formed over the pinned layer structure in the region beyond the first stripe height location. In this way, the antiferromagnetic layer is between the pinned layer and the second or upper shield and does not contribute to gap spacing.

主权项

1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
a magnetic free layer structure extending from an air bearing surface to a back edge located at a first stripe height; a magnetic pinned layer structure extending from the air bearing surface to a second stripe height, the second stripe height being longer than the first stripe height; a layer of magnetic material formed on the magnetic pinned layer structure only in a region beyond the first stripe height; a layer of antiferromagnetic material formed on and exchange coupled with the layer of magnetic material that is formed on the pinned layer structure only in the region beyond the first stripe height, the layer of antiferromagnetic material having a front edge; and a non-magnetic, electrically insulating wall formed on the back edge of the free layer structure, the non-magnetic, electrically insulating wall being located between and contacting both the back edge of the free layer structure and a front edge of the layer of magnetic material, wherein a back edge of the layer of magnetic material, parallel to the front edge, contacts the antiferromagnetic material.