Spin valve magnetoresistive head with two sets of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic films having high blocking temperatures and fabrication method

摘要

Disclosed are spin valve magnetoresistive heads, air bearing sliders and magnetic storage systems employing spin valve magnetoresistive heads, and methods for fabricating spin valve magnetoresistive heads and air bearing sliders employing spin valve magnetoresistive heads. The spin valve magnetoresistive head in accordance with the present invention employs two antiferromagnetic films, one exchange-coupling to the reference layer in a first direction in the read region and the other exchange-coupling to the ferromagnetic film in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction in the end regions. The exchange-coupled reference layer and the first antiferromagnetic film exhibit a blocking temperature equal to or greater than 300 DEG C. The exchange-coupled ferromagnetic/second antiferromagnetic films exhibit a blocking temperature equal to or greater than 200 DEG C. The two high blocking temperatures ensure thermal stabilty during sensor operation.