Magneto-resistive read sensor with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

Author

Ding, Yunfei ; Judy, Jack H. ; Wang, Jian-Ping

Author_Institution

MINT Center, Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Volume

41

Issue

2

fYear

2005

Firstpage

707

Lastpage

712

Abstract

A new read sensor design is proposed in attempt to solve the magnetization distribution and thermal stability problems for nano-meter scale read sensors. In this design the free layer has a perpendicular-to-plane easy axis and the reference layer has an in-plane easy axis. Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) film with this structure is demonstrated in which the free layer is a [CoFe/Pt]_×n multilayer. The structure of [CoFe/Pt]_×n multilayer has to be optimized so that the magnetic properties of the free layer can meet the requirement of a MR reader.

Keywords

cobalt alloys; ferromagnetic materials; giant magnetoresistance; iron alloys; magnetic multilayers; magnetic sensors; magnetisation; magnetoresistive devices; microsensors; perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; platinum; thermal stability; CoFe-Pt; easy axis; free layer; giant magnetoresistance film; magnetic domains; magnetic heads; magnetic noise; magnetic properties; magnetic sensor; magnetization distribution; magnetoresistive read sensor; nanometer scale read sensors; perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; read sensor design; reference layer; thermal stability; Giant magnetoresistance; Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetic films; Magnetic multilayers; Magnetic properties; Magnetic sensors; Magnetization; Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; Thermal sensors; Thermal stability; Giant magnetoresistance; magnetic domains; magnetic heads; magnetic noise; magnetic sensor; perpendicular magnetic anisotropy;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TMAG.2004.839069

Filename

1396210