The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 11, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 03, 2000
Petrus A. van der Heijden, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Billy Wayne Crue, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Seagate Technology, LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A recording head for use with magnetic recording media includes a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) type giant magnetoresistive (GMR) read element, with the alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers within the GMR read element either perpendicular or angled to the read head's shields. This structure maximizes the number of alternating layers within the GMR read element, and minimizes the area available for flow of the test current. Both total resistance of the GMR element, and the change in resistance as a function of changes in magnetic flux, relative to total resistance, are thereby increased. The sensitivity of the GMR read element is thereby increased, permitting storage of information within magnetic recording media at greater densities. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing a read head using such a GMR element.