Current perpendicular to the planes (CPP) sensor with free layer stabilized by current field

摘要

A magnetic head assembly includes a first lead that is electrically connected to a CPP sensor for conducting a current through the sensor perpendicular to major planes of the layers of the sensor. A second lead extends from a stripe height of the sensor into the head assembly. A nonmagnetic electrically conductive bias layer, which has major planes that are parallel to the major planes of the sensor, is electrically connected to the sensor and the second lead so that when the current flows through the bias layer parallel to the major planes of the bias layer and perpendicular to a head surface of the CPP sensor a free layer of the sensor is biased by the bias layer.