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:
Dec. 23, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 02, 1999
Alexander M. Shukh, Savage, MN (US);
Edward S. Murdock, Edina, MN (US);
Anthony M. Mack, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A spin valve sensor comprising a ferromagnetic free layer, a ferromagnetic pinned layer, a layer of non-ferromagnetic material positioned between the free layer and the pinned layer, and an antitferromagnetic pinning layer positioned adjacent to the pinned layer such that the pinning layer is in direct contact with the pinned layer. The free layer comprises a multi-layer stack including a non-magnetic insulating spacer positioned between a first and a second ferromagnetic sublayer. The non-magnetic insulating spacer provides a specular electron scattering effect. The first and the second ferromagnetic sublayers each have passive end regions separated by a central active region. The spin valve sensor further includes bias means positioned between the first and the second ferromagnetic sublayers in the passive end regions.