Structure and method for redeposition free thin film CPP read sensor fabrication
    2.
    发明授权
    Structure and method for redeposition free thin film CPP read sensor fabrication 失效
    无沉积薄膜CPP读取传感器制造的结构和方法

    公开(公告)号:US06833979B1

    公开(公告)日:2004-12-21

    申请号:US10176874

    申请日:2002-06-21

    IPC分类号: G11B539

    摘要: The present invention provides an improved current perpendicular to the plane thin film read head device and method of fabrication. With the present invention, the lower lead is formed to inhibit accumulation of redeposited lead material on CPP sensor element side walls during CPP sensor formation. In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion of the lower lead, which normally is etched during sensor element formation, is formed of a low sputter yield material to reduce redeposition flux to the sensor side walls. It is also preferred to form the upper portion of a material that also has a low value for the ratio of its sputter yield at the lead milling angle-to-its sputter yield at the side wall milling angle to inhibit redeposition accumulation on the side wall. It is preferred to clad conventional lead material with a low sputter yield ratio, low resistivity material, to inhibit side wall redeposition accumulation while also providing a low resistance lower lead. The underlying lead material may be formed of conventional low resistance lead materials with a cladding of a refractory metal, such as tantalum, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, their alloys, or the like. The improved CPP read head of the present invention may be embodied in a data storage and retrieval apparatus.

    摘要翻译: 本发明提供一种垂直于平面薄膜读取头装置的改进的电流和制造方法。 利用本发明,形成下引线以在CPP传感器形成期间抑制再沉积的铅材料在CPP传感器元件侧壁上的积聚。 在优选实施例中,通常在传感器元件形成期间被蚀刻的下引线的上部由低溅射成品材料形成,以减少对传感器侧壁的再沉积通量。 还优选形成材料的上部,其在侧铣削角处的铅铣削角与其溅射产率之间的溅射产率的比值也低,以抑制侧壁上的再沉积积聚 。 优选以低的溅射成品率的低电阻率材料包覆常规的铅材料,以抑制侧壁再沉积积聚,同时还提供低电阻的低铅。 下面的铅材料可以由具有诸如钽,钛,钨,钼,锆,钒,铌,它们的合金等的难熔金属包层的常规低电阻引线材料形成。 本发明的改进的CPP读取头可以体现在数据存储和检索装置中。

    Structure and method for redeposition free thin film CPP read sensor fabrication
    3.
    发明授权
    Structure and method for redeposition free thin film CPP read sensor fabrication 有权
    无沉积薄膜CPP读取传感器制造的结构和方法

    公开(公告)号:US06433970B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-08-13

    申请号:US09327209

    申请日:1999-06-07

    IPC分类号: G11B539

    摘要: The present invention provides an improved current perpendicular to the plane thin film read head device and method of fabrication. With the present invention, the lower lead is formed to inhibit accumulation of redeposited lead material on CPP sensor element side walls during CPP sensor formation. In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion of the lower lead, which normally is etched during sensor element formation, is formed of a low sputter yield material to reduce redeposition flux to the sensor side walls. It is also preferred to form the upper portion of a material that also has a low value for the ratio of its sputter yield at the lead milling angle-to-its sputter yield at the side wall milling angle to inhibit redeposition accumulation on the side wall. It is preferred to clad conventional lead material with a low sputter yield ratio, low resistivity material, to inhibit side wall redeposition accumulation while also providing a low resistance lower lead. The underlying lead material may be formed of conventional low resistance lead materials with a cladding of a refractory metal, such as tantalum, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, their alloys, or the like. The improved CPP read head of the present invention may be embodied in a data storage and retrieval apparatus.

    摘要翻译: 本发明提供一种垂直于平面薄膜读取头装置的改进的电流和制造方法。 利用本发明,形成下引线以在CPP传感器形成期间抑制再沉积的铅材料在CPP传感器元件侧壁上的积聚。 在优选实施例中,通常在传感器元件形成期间被蚀刻的下引线的上部由低溅射成品材料形成,以减少对传感器侧壁的再沉积通量。 还优选形成材料的上部,其在侧铣削角处的铅铣削角与其溅射产率之间的溅射产率的比值也低,以抑制侧壁上的再沉积积聚 。 优选以低的溅射成品率的低电阻率材料包覆常规的铅材料,以抑制侧壁再沉积积聚,同时还提供低电阻的低铅。 下面的铅材料可以由具有诸如钽,钛,钨,钼,锆,钒,铌,它们的合金等的难熔金属包层的常规低电阻引线材料形成。 本发明的改进的CPP读取头可以体现在数据存储和检索装置中。

    Thin film read head structure with improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication
    4.
    发明授权
    Thin film read head structure with improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication 有权
    具有改进的偏置磁体与磁阻元件接口和制造方法的薄膜读取头结构

    公开(公告)号:US06735850B1

    公开(公告)日:2004-05-18

    申请号:US10152909

    申请日:2002-05-20

    IPC分类号: G11B5127

    摘要: The present invention provides an improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication. In a preferred embodiment, the wall/walls of an MR element opposing a bias layer are formed by over etching to provide vertical side walls without taper. In the preferred embodiment, a protective element is formed over the MR element to protect it during etch processes. In some embodiments, a filler layer is deposited prior to bias layer formation. In CIP embodiments, any portion of the filler layer forming on vertical side walls of the MR element is etched to provide an exposed side wall surface for contiguous bias layer formation. In CPP embodiments, the filler layer forms on a vertical back wall and electrically insulates the MR element from the bias layer. In CIP and CPP embodiments, tapered portions of the bias material, which form overhanging the MR element, are removed by directional etching to improve the direction and stability of the induced longitudinal field within the MR element. In some CIP embodiments, tapered overhang removal allows for formation of improved lead structures, which may be deposited on the MR element closer to the side walls, and which are not pinched off by the overhang of an underlying bias layer, thus improving current density profile and definition of the actual effective track width of the device.

    摘要翻译: 本发明提供一种改进的偏置磁体 - 磁阻元件接口和制造方法。 在优选实施例中,通过过蚀刻形成与偏置层相对的MR元件的壁/壁,以提供没有锥度的垂直侧壁。 在优选实施例中,在MR元件上形成保护元件以在蚀刻工艺期间保护元件。 在一些实施方案中,在形成偏压层之前沉积填料层。 在CIP实施例中,蚀刻形成在MR元件的垂直侧壁上的填充层的任何部分,以提供暴露的侧壁表面用于连续的偏置层形成。 在CPP实施例中,填充层在垂直后壁上形成,并使MR元件与偏置层电绝缘。 在CIP和CPP实施例中,通过定向蚀刻去除形成悬垂在MR元件上的倾斜材料的锥形部分,以改善MR元件内的感应纵向场的方向和稳定性。 在一些CIP实施例中,锥形突出去除允许形成改进的引线结构,其可以沉积在更靠近侧壁的MR元件上,并且不被下伏偏置层的突出部分夹住,因此改善电流密度分布 以及设备的实际有效轨迹宽度的定义。

    Thin film read head structure with improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication
    5.
    发明授权
    Thin film read head structure with improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication 有权
    具有改进的偏置磁体与磁阻元件接口和制造方法的薄膜读取头结构

    公开(公告)号:US06487056B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-11-26

    申请号:US10153067

    申请日:2002-05-20

    IPC分类号: G11B539

    摘要: The present invention provides an improved bias magnet-to-magnetoresistive element interface and method of fabrication. In a preferred embodiment, the wall/walls of an MR element opposing a bias layer are formed by over etching to provide vertical side walls without taper. In the preferred embodiment, a protective element is formed over the MR element to protect it during etch processes. In some embodiments, a filler layer is deposited prior to bias layer formation. In CIP embodiments, any portion of the filler layer forming on vertical side walls of the MR element is etched to provide an exposed side wall surface for contiguous bias layer formation. In CPP embodiments, the filler layer forms on a vertical back wall and electrically insulates the MR element from the bias layer. In CIP and CPP embodiments, tapered portions of the bias material, which form overhanging the MR element, are removed by directional etching to improve the direction and stability of the induced longitudinal field within the MR element. In some CIP embodiments, tapered overhang removal allows for formation of improved lead structures, which may be deposited on the MR element closer to the side walls, and which are not pinched off by the overhang of an underlying bias layer, thus improving current density profile and definition of the actual effective track width of the device.

    摘要翻译: 本发明提供一种改进的偏置磁体 - 磁阻元件接口和制造方法。 在优选实施例中,通过过蚀刻形成与偏置层相对的MR元件的壁/壁,以提供没有锥度的垂直侧壁。 在优选实施例中,在MR元件上形成保护元件以在蚀刻工艺期间保护元件。 在一些实施方案中,在形成偏压层之前沉积填料层。 在CIP实施例中,蚀刻形成在MR元件的垂直侧壁上的填充层的任何部分,以提供暴露的侧壁表面用于连续的偏置层形成。 在CPP实施例中,填充层在垂直后壁上形成,并使MR元件与偏置层电绝缘。 在CIP和CPP实施例中,通过定向蚀刻去除形成悬垂在MR元件上的倾斜材料的锥形部分,以改善MR元件内的感应纵向场的方向和稳定性。 在一些CIP实施例中,锥形突出去除允许形成改进的引线结构,其可以沉积在更靠近侧壁的MR元件上,并且不被下伏偏置层的突出部分夹住,因此改善电流密度分布 以及设备的实际有效轨迹宽度的定义。

    Magnetoresistive head stabilized structure and method of fabrication thereof
    7.
    发明授权
    Magnetoresistive head stabilized structure and method of fabrication thereof 有权
    磁阻头稳定结构及其制造方法

    公开(公告)号:US06417999B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-07-09

    申请号:US09497857

    申请日:2000-02-04

    IPC分类号: G11B539

    摘要: In at least one embodiment, the method of the present invention is embodied in a method for fabricating a magnetoresistive head structure which includes obtaining a lead and magnetic bias layer, applying a photoresist layer over the lead and magnetic bias layer and about a desired position of a sensor such that the desired position of the sensor is substantially free of the photoresist layer, etching the lead and magnetic bias material substantially at the desired position of the sensor, depositing a sensor at the desired position of the sensor; and removing the photoresist. Obtaining the lead and magnetic bias layers can be done by depositing them. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is embodied in a magnetoresistive head structure having a sensor with sides, a lead layer with a portion positioned on either side of the sensor in contact with the sensor so that a sensing current can flow between the portions and through the sensor, and a magnetic bias layer positioned over the lead layer and on either side of the sensor. The magnetic bias layer can be a hard bias or an exchange layer. The sensor preferably is either an anisotopic magnetoresistive element or a spin valve element less than 0.6 &mgr;m wide.

    摘要翻译: 在至少一个实施例中,本发明的方法体现在一种用于制造磁阻头部结构的方法,该方法包括获得引线和磁偏置层,在引线和磁偏置层上施加光致抗蚀剂层, 传感器,使得传感器的期望位置基本上不含光致抗蚀剂层,基本上在传感器的期望位置蚀刻引线和磁偏置材料,将传感器沉积在传感器的所需位置; 并去除光致抗蚀剂。 通过放置它们可以获得引线和磁偏置层。 在至少一个实施例中,本发明的装置体现在具有侧面传感器的磁阻头结构中,引线层的一部分位于与传感器接触的传感器的任一侧,使得感测电流可以在传感器之间流动 部分和通过传感器,以及位于引线层上方和传感器两侧的磁偏置层。 磁偏置层可以是硬偏压或交换层。 传感器优选地是不对称磁阻元件或小于0.6μm宽的自旋阀元件。

    Spin valve device with improved exchange layer defined track width and method of fabrication
    8.
    发明授权
    Spin valve device with improved exchange layer defined track width and method of fabrication 有权
    具有改进的交换层的自旋阀装置限定轨道宽度和制造方法

    公开(公告)号:US06469877B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-10-22

    申请号:US09335156

    申请日:1999-06-15

    IPC分类号: G11B5127

    摘要: The present invention provides an exchange break to define the track width of a read head by selectively isolating an exchange coupling layer from an underlying ferromagnetic layer. In the preferred embodiment, the exchange break is provided over a portion of the free layer of a spin valve device so that it inhibits exchange coupling between an overlying portion of the exchange coupling layer and the underlying free layer to define an active region. It is preferred to form the exchange break of an electrically insulating material, to inhibit current shunting through the exchange break, and of a material that easily etches, to minimize inadvertent etching of the underlying free layer and to ensure complete removal of exchange break material when forming the exchange break from an exchange break layer. A reentrant profile photoresist structure may be used to define the exchange break and to define the exchange coupling layer. Drift portions of the exchange coupling layer, which typically form under the overhang of the photoresist and blur delineation of the active region, are separated from the underlying free layer by the exchange break, so that variations in thickness and in shifted material composition do not blur active region delineation. Because the width of the active region is defined by the exchange break, the present invention decouples the track width of the device from the geometry of the exchange coupling layer.

    摘要翻译: 本发明通过选择性地将交换耦合层与潜在的铁磁层隔离来提供交换中断以限定读取头的磁道宽度。 在优选实施例中,交换断裂被提供在自旋阀装置的自由层的一部分上,使得其阻止交换耦合层的上覆部分和下游自由层之间的交换耦合以限定有源区。 优选形成电绝缘材料的交换断裂,以阻止通过交换断裂的电流分流以及易于蚀刻的材料,以最小化潜在自由层的无意蚀刻,并确保完全去除交换断裂材料,当 从交换中断层形成交换中断。 可以使用折入轮廓光刻胶结构来限定交换断裂并限定交换耦合层。 通常在光致抗蚀剂悬垂下形成的交换耦合层的漂移部分和有源区域的模糊描绘通过交换断裂与下面的自由层分离,使得厚度和偏移材料组成的变化不模糊 活跃地区划定。 由于有源区域的宽度由交换断裂限定,本发明将装置的轨道宽度与交换耦合层的几何形状分离。

    Magnetoresistive sensors having submicron track widths and method of making
    10.
    发明授权
    Magnetoresistive sensors having submicron track widths and method of making 失效
    具有亚微米轨道宽度和制造方法的磁阻传感器

    公开(公告)号:US06816345B1

    公开(公告)日:2004-11-09

    申请号:US09963288

    申请日:2001-09-24

    IPC分类号: G11B539

    CPC分类号: G11B5/3932

    摘要: Methods for reducing feature sizes of devices such as electromagnetic sensors are disclosed. A track width of a MR sensor is defined by a mask having an upper layer with a reduced width and a lower layer with a further reduced width. Instead of or in addition to being supported by the lower layer in the area defining the sensor, the upper layer is supported by the lower layer in areas that do not define the sensor width. In some embodiments the upper layer forms a bridge mask, supported at its ends by the lower layer, and the lower layer is completely removed over an area that will become a sensor. Also disclosed is a mask having more than two layers, with a bottom layer completely removed over the sensor area, and a middle layer undercut relative to a top layer.

    摘要翻译: 公开了用于减小诸如电磁传感器的装置的特征尺寸的方法。 MR传感器的轨道宽度由具有减小宽度的上层的掩模和具有进一步减小的宽度的下层限定。 在限定传感器的区域中由下层支撑或替代地,上层在不限定传感器宽度的区域中由下层支撑。 在一些实施例中,上层形成桥接掩模,其端部由下层支撑,并且下层在将成为传感器的区域上被完全移除。 还公开了具有多于两层的掩模,其中底层在传感器区域上完全去除,并且相对于顶层底切的中间层。