Hard biased self-pinned spin valve sensor with recessed overlaid leads

摘要

A spin valve sensor has an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure which has ferromagnetic first and second AP pinned layers that are separated by an antiparallel coupling layer. The first and second AP pinned layers are self-pinned antiparallel with respect to one another without the assistance of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer. First and second hard bias layers interface first and second side surfaces of the spin valve sensor and the sensor has a central portion that extends between the first and second hard bias layers. First and second lead layers overlay the first and second hard bias layers and overlay first and second end portions of the central portion so that a distance between the first and second lead layers defines a track width that is less than a distance between the first and second hard bias layers. A cap layer structure has a full thickness portion between first and second reduced thickness portions and the first and second lead layers engage the cap layer structure within the first and second reduced thickness portions.