Quantum Peripherals Colorado, Inc.

Seagate Technology Incorporated

Daniel J O'Connor

Guy F Ruse

James L Nix

Anthony C Helms

Paul D Reinholz

Timothy A Madsen

An improved magnetoresistive device and method for fabricating the same which results in improved Barkhausen noise suppression. A generally coplanar device is described having an MR structure conductive region longitudinally biased by opposing permanent magnet layers separated therefrom by a non-magnetic metal or dielectric separation layer. Significant reduction of the demagnetization energy near the MR-to-permanent magnet junction is achieved, particularly in the use of an elliptically shaped conductive region and the resultant generally coplanar device is readily fabricated and reproducible using a self-aligning process. The longitudinal bias technique described can be used in conjunction with all known transverse bias techniques.

Method of making a magnetoresistive device having improved Barkhausen

An improved magnetoresistive device and method for fabricating the same which results in improved Barkhausen noise suppression. A generally coplanar device is described having an MR structure conductive region longitudinally biased by opposing permanent magnet layers separated therefrom by a non-magnetic metal or dielectric separation layer. significant reduction of the demagnetization energy near the MR-to-permanent magnet junction is achieved, particularly in the use of an elliptically shaped conductive region and the resultant generally coplanar device is readily fabricated and reproducible using a self-aligning process. The longitudinal bias technique described can be used in conjunction with all known transverse bias techniques.

Magnetoresistive device and method having improved Barkhausen noise

A magnetoresistive sensor has an air bearing surface, first and second vertical contacts having contact edges generally perpendicular to the air bearing surface, a generally rectangular magnetoresistive region having a first edge that comprises part of the air bearing surface and a plurality of additional edges which do not comprise part of the air bearing surface, and a permanent magnet layer having a magnetization vector oriented at 45.degree. with respect to the air bearing surface, wherein the plurality of additional edges are generally within the permanent magnet layer. The magnetoresistive sensor provides a relatively square read sensitivity window because the sense current is maintained parallel to the air bearing surface throughout the magnetoresistive region. In addition, the sensor is lapping intolerant because the relative positions of the first and second vertical contacts and the magnetoresistive region do not change as the air bearing surface is lapped.

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Prior Lake, MN, United States of America

Daniel J O'Connor