Magnetic recording sensor with sputtered antiferromagnetic coupling trilayer between plated ferromagnetic shields

摘要

A magnetic recording sensor for use in a data storage device is described. The sensor has a magnetoresistive sensing element and magnetic shields shielding the magnetoresistive sensing element. The magnetic shields include a first plated soft ferromagnetic layer, a second plated soft ferromagnetic layer, and an antiferromagnetic coupling (AFC) trilayer between the first plated soft ferromagnetic layer and the second plated soft ferromagnetic layer. The AFC trilayer includes a first AFC layer of sputtered ferromagnetic material; a second AFC layer of a nonmagnetic antiferromagnetic exchange material, and a third AFC layer of sputtered ferromagnetic material. Shields with AFC trilayers in bottom, side, and/or top shields, and well as between shields are provided. A method of fabricating is also provided.

主权项

1. A magnetic recording sensor for use in a data storage device, comprising:
a read sensor stack comprising:
a read sensor;a first end opposing a second end; anda third end opposing a fourth end; a magnetic shield comprising a first soft ferromagnetic layer, a second soft ferromagnetic layer, a third soft ferromagnetic layer, and a first antiferromagnetic coupling (AFC) trilayer between the first soft ferromagnetic layer and the second soft ferromagnetic layer, wherein the first AFC trilayer comprises:
a first AFC layer comprising ferromagnetic material;a second AFC layer comprising a nonmagnetic antiferromagnetic exchange material; anda third AFC layer comprising ferromagnetic material; a second AFC trilayer; and a bottom shield disposed on the side of the fourth end of the read sensor stack, wherein the second AFC trilayer location is at least one of:
between the first and third soft ferromagnetic layers of the magnetic shield; or within the bottom shield; wherein the second soft ferromagnetic layer surrounds a portion of the first and second ends of the read sensor stack, wherein the first AFC trilayer surrounds a portion of the first and second ends of the read sensor stack; and wherein the read sensor stack is separated from the first and second soft ferromagnetic layers by a nonmagnetic gap.