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:
May. 17, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 04, 2008
Masahiro Ousugi, Kanagawa, JP;
Kouji Okazaki, Kanagawa, JP;
Satoru Okamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Katsuro Watanabe, Ibaraki, JP;
Masahiro Ousugi, Kanagawa, JP;
Kouji Okazaki, Kanagawa, JP;
Satoru Okamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Katsuro Watanabe, Ibaraki, JP;
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V., Amsterdam, NL;
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention help to prevent a reduction in the bias magnetic field of a current perpendicular to the plane-type (CPP-type) magnetoresistive effect head, thus suppressing a reduction in read output. According to one embodiment, a CPP-type magnetoresistive effect film is formed on top of a lower magnetic shield. A refill insulation film and a magnetic domain control layer are formed on both sides of an intermediate layer and a free layer of the CPP-type magnetoresistive effect film. A side wall protection film is formed on a side wall of the refill insulation film and on top of the free layer so as to define the height of the magnetic domain control layer. To increase the film thickness of the magnetic domain control layer, the magnetic domain control layer and the refill insulation film are higher than the top surface of the free layer. A magnetic shield underlayer film is formed on the top surfaces of the free layer, the magnetic domain control layer and the refill insulation film and an upper magnetic shield layer is formed on the magnetic shield underlayer film.