Read head with a combined second read gap and pinning layer for a top spin valve sensor

摘要

A read head is provided with a combined second read gap and pinning layer which pins a pinned layer structure of a top spin valve sensor. The second read gap layer is at least partially composed of alpha ferric oxide (alphaFe2O3) which pins the pinned layer by coercivity. The second read gap layer defines the track width of the read head and its alpha ferric oxide (alphaFe2O3) composition provides specular reflection of conduction electrons in the spin valve sensor.