摘要:
Conventional perpendicular writers that utilize an extended return pole are subject to large undershoot fields. This problem has been reduced by replacing the prior art extended return pole by one whose magnetic potential has been increased relative to both the main and return poles. In a first embodiment, a second non-magnetic gap is inserted between the extended return pole and the return pole. In a second embodiment, the extended return pole is made very thin, thereby increasing its reluctance, while a third embodiment combines both reluctance-increasing features in a single design.
摘要:
A method for forming a top spin-valve SyAP GMR read sensor having a novel conductive lead overlay configuration and the sensor so formed. The lead overlay electrically contacts the sensor at a position within the SyAP pinned layer, thus simultaneously assuring improved electrical contact and destroying the GMR properties of the sensor at the junction to improve the definition of the sensor track width.
摘要:
A “toggling” type of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) has memory stacks arranged in the X-Y plane on the MRAM substrate with each memory stack having a plurality of toggle memory cells stacked along the Z axis. Each memory stack is located at an intersection region between two orthogonal write lines. Each cell in the stack is a “toggle” cell that has its synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) free layer easy axis of magnetization aligned nonparallel with the X and Y axes and angularly spaced about the Z axis from the easy axes of magnetization of all the other SAF free layers in the stack. Each cell in a stack is magnetically separated from adjacent cells in the stack by a nonmagnetic separation layer. The magnetization direction of the free layer in a selected memory cell in a stack can be switched without switching the magnetization directions of the free layers in the other memory cells in the stack.
摘要:
Nano-oxide based current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor stacks are provided, together with methods for forming such stacks. Such stacks have increased resistance and enhanced magnetoresistive properties relative to CPP stacks made entirely of metallic layers. Said enhanced properties are provided by the insertion of magnetic nano-oxide layers between ferromagnetic layers and non-magnetic spacer layers, whereby said nano-oxide layers increase resistance and exhibit spin filtering properties. CPP sensor stacks of various types are provided, all having nano-oxide layers formed therein, including the spin-valve type and the synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer spin-valve type. Said stacks can also be formed upon each other to provide laminated stacks of different types.
摘要:
Reduction of the free layer thickness in GMR devices is desirable in order to meet higher signal requirements, besides improving the GMR ratio itself. However, thinning of the free layer reduces the GMR ratio and leads to poor thermal stability. This problem has been overcome by making AP2 from an inverse GMR material and by changing the free layer from a single uniform layer to a ferromagnetic layer AFM (antiferromagnetically) coupled to a layer of inverse GMR material. Examples of alloys that may be used for the inverse GMR materials include FeCr, NiFeCr, NiCr, CoCr, CoFeCr, and CoFeV. Additionally, the ruthenium layer normally used to effect antiferromagnetic coupling can be replaced by a layer of chromium. A process to manufacture the structure is also described.
摘要:
A “toggling” type of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) has memory stacks arranged in the X-Y plane on the MRAM substrate with each memory stack having a plurality of toggle memory cells stacked along the Z axis. Each memory stack is located at an intersection region between two orthogonal write lines. Each cell in the stack is a “toggle” cell that has its synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) free layer easy axis of magnetization aligned nonparallel with the X and Y axes and angularly spaced about the Z axis from the easy axes of magnetization of all the other SAF free layers in the stack. Each cell in a stack is magnetically separated from adjacent cells in the stack by a nonmagnetic separation layer. The magnetization direction of the free layer in a selected memory cell in a stack can be switched without switching the magnetization directions of the free layers in the other memory cells in the stack.
摘要:
Nano-oxide based current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor stacks are provided, together with methods for forming such stacks. Such stacks have increased resistance and enhanced magnetoresistive properties relative to CPP stacks made entirely of metallic layers. Said enhanced properties are provided by the insertion of magnetic nano-oxide layers between ferromagnetic layers and non-magnetic spacer layers, whereby said nano-oxide layers increase resistance and exhibit spin filtering properties. CPP sensor stacks of various types are provided, all having nano-oxide layers formed therein, including the spin-valve type and the synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer spin-valve type. Said stacks can also be formed upon each other to provide laminated stacks of different types.
摘要:
In current synthetically pinned CPP SV designs, AP2 always makes a negative contribution to the device's GMR since its magnetization direction must be anti-parallel to the pinned layer (AP1). This effect has been reduced by replacing the conventional single layer AP2, that forms part of the synthetic pinned layer, with a multilayer structure into which has been inserted at least one layer of a material such as tantalum that serves to depolarize the spin of electrons that traverse its interfaces. The result is a reduction of said negative contribution by AP2, leading to a significant increase in the GMR ratio.
摘要:
A method for forming top and bottom spin valve sensors and the sensors so formed, the sensors having a strongly coupled SyAP pinned layer and an ultra-thin antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The two strongly coupled ferromagnetic layers comprising the SyAP pinned layer in the top valve configuration are separated by a Ru spacer layer approximately 3 angstroms thick, while the two layers in the bottom spin valve configuration are separated by a Rh spacer layer approximately 5 angstroms thick. This allows the use of an ultra thin MnPt antiferromagnetic pinning layer of thickness between approximately 80 and approximately 150 angstroms. The sensor structure produced thereby is suitable for high density applications.
摘要:
A spin valve based magnetic read head that is suitable for use with ultra-high recording densities is described along with a process for manufacturing it. This produces a product that is free of conductor lead bridging and conductor lead fencing. A key sub-process is the deposition of a first capping layer through DC sputtering followed by, without breaking vacuum, a lead overlay layer This is followed by deposition, also by DC sputtering, of a second capping layer which is patterned so that it becomes a hard mask. Then, using this hard mask, the lead overlay layer is removed from the center of the structure by means of ion beam etching. Hard bias and conductor lead layers are then formed inside parallel trenches without the use of liftoff processes.