Read head with file resettable double antiparallel (AP) pinned spin valve sensor

摘要

A spin valve sensor is provided with a free layer structure which is located between first and second AP pinned layer structures wherein the first AP pinned layer structure includes first and second AP pinned layers and the second AP pinned layer structure includes first, second and third AP pinned layers. With this arrangement the magnetic spins of first and second pinning layers exchange coupled to the first and second AP pinned layer structures can be set by a current pulse conducted through a sense current circuit which sufficiently raises the temperature of the first and second pinning layers and exerts sense current fields appropriately directed to cause the setting of the magnetic spins of the first and second pinning layers. This arrangement allows the spin valve sensor to be reset in a magnetic disk drive without the application of a field from an exterior source in the presence of heat from an exterior source.