Abstract:
A robust recording head with a spin tunneling sensing element separated from an interface between the recording head and a recording media so as not to be affected by collisions and other ill effects at the interface between the recording head and the recording media. The spin tunneling sensing element includes a pair of magnetic elements wherein one of the magnetic elements functions as a flux guide that conducts magnetic flux emanating from the recording media away from the interface to an active area of the spin tunneling sensing element.
Abstract:
A magnetoresistive sensor having a longitudinal field that is produced along its axis and that stabilizes the sensor. The longitudinal field is produced by the current in conductors that are connected to the magnetoresistive sensor elements. By controlling the direction and distribution of the current in the conductors, a longitudinal field is produced that has the required direction and magnitude to stabilize the single domain state of the sensor. The resulting lack of domain wall motion in the sensor during operation prevents instabilities in its electrical output, commonly known as Barkhausen noise. Four different sensor designs are provided that include two single element sensors with two conductors, a dual element sensor with four conductors, and a dual element sensor with three conductors. The ease of implementation makes the stabilized sensor of the present invention superior to conventional approaches that rely on permanent magnets or exchange coupled layers to provide longitudinal bias.
Abstract:
A spin dependent tunneling (“SDT”) junction of a memory cell for a Magnetic Random Access Memory (“MRAM”) device includes a pinned ferromagnetic layer, followed by an insulating tunnel barrier and a sense ferromagnetic layer. During fabrication of the MRAM device, after formation of the pinned layer but before formation of the insulating tunnel barrier, an exposed surface of the pinned layer is flattened. The exposed surface of the pinned layer may be flattened by an ion etching process.
Abstract:
A stabilized magnetic memory cell including a data storage layer having an interior region and a pair of end regions near a pair of opposing edges of the data storage layer and a stabilizing material that pins a magnetization in the end regions to a predetermined direction. A method for stabilizing a magnetic memory cell includes the steps of applying a magnetic field that rotates a magnetization in a pair of opposing side regions of a data storage layer of the magnetic memory cell toward a predetermined direction and that reduces free poles in a pair of opposing end regions of the magnetic memory cell, thereby reducing the likelihood of unpredictable switching behavior in the end regions.
Abstract:
A solid-state memory including an array of magnetic storage cells and a set of conductors. The solid-state memory includes circuitry for reducing leakage current among the conductors thereby increasing signal to noise ratio during read operations.
Abstract:
A solid-state memory including an array of magnetic storage cells and a set of conductors. The process steps that pattern the conductors also patterns the magnetic layers in the magnetic storage cells thereby avoiding the need to employ precise alignment between pattern masks.
Abstract:
A stabilized magnetic memory cell including a data storage layer having an interior region and a pair of end regions near a pair of opposing edges of the data storage layer and a stabilizing material that pins a magnetization in the end regions to a predetermined direction. A method for stabilizing a magnetic memory cell includes the steps of applying a magnetic field that rotates a magnetization in a pair of opposing side regions of a data storage layer of the magnetic memory cell toward a predetermined direction and that reduces free poles in a pair of opposing end regions of the magnetic memory cell, thereby reducing the likelihood of unpredictable switching behavior in the end regions.
Abstract:
A solid-state memory including an array of magnetic storage cells and a set of conductors. The process steps that pattern the conductors also patterns the magnetic layers in the magnetic storage cells thereby avoiding the need to employ precise alignment between pattern masks.
Abstract:
A magnetoresistive transducer includes at least one magnetoresistive element having a transverse easy axis. The use of a transverse easy axis prevents magnetic domains from forming in the magnetoresistive elements and results in a noise-free device. Various techniques for producing a transverse easy axis include the use of stress, and a magneto strictive material, during the formation of the element to orient the anisotropy of the element transverse to orient the anisotropy of the element transverse to the element, formation of the element in the presence of a magnetic field, high temperature anneal of the element, or any other method of forming the element with a prebiased state.
Abstract:
A method for reducing Barkhausen noise in dual stripe magnetoresistive recording heads. The topography of the bottom conductor is controlled, specifically the conductor sidewall angle at the edge of the track is defined to be less than 45.degree. from the substrate plane. Restricting the conductor sidewall profile in this manner eliminates sources of magnetic domain nucleation.