Title:
MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTION MAGNETORESISTANCE READ HEAD PROVIDED WITH DETECTION LAYER AS MAGNETIC FLUX GUIDE
Document Type and Number:
Japanese Patent JP3004006
Kind Code:
B2
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an MTJ(magnetic tunnel junction) MR(magneto-resistance) read head free from problems accompanying the existence of an edge part of an exposed MTJ layer on a detection surface.
SOLUTION: The MTJ magneto-resistance read head for magnetic recording system is provided with an MTJ detection or free ferromagnetic layer 132 functioning as a magnetic flux guide which directs a magnetic flux from a magnetic recording medium to a tunnel junction. An MTJ fixed ferromagnetic layer 118 has a front edge part retreated from the detection surface of the head. The fixed ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer are brought into contact with opposite faces of an MTJ tunnel barrier layer 120, but the free ferromagnetic layer is extended beyond the rear edge part of one of the tunnel barrier layer and the fixed ferromagnetic layer which has the rear edge part nearer to the detection surface. The direction of magnetization of the fixed ferromagnetic layer is desirably fixed in the direction of an arrow 119 approximately perpendicular to the detection surface, namely, the magnetic recording medium by surface exchange coupling with an antiferromagnetic layer.
Inventors:
Robert Edward Fontana Jr.
Stuart Stephen Papworth Perkin
Chin Huang Tsang
Stuart Stephen Papworth Perkin
Chin Huang Tsang
Application Number:
JP28899998A
Publication Date:
January 31, 2000
Filing Date:
October 12, 1998
Export Citation:
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
International Classes:
G11B5/39; G11B5/40; (IPC1-7): G11B5/39
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Hiroshi Sakaguchi (1 person outside)