Abstract:
A MR sensor is disclosed that has a free layer (FL) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) which eliminates the need for an adjacent hard bias structure to stabilize free layer magnetization and minimizes shield-FL interactions. In a TMR embodiment, a seed layer, free layer, junction layer, reference layer, and pinning layer are sequentially formed on a bottom shield. After patterning, a conformal insulation layer is formed along the sensor sidewall. Thereafter, a top shield is formed on the insulation layer and includes side shields that are separated from the FL by a narrow read gap. The sensor is scalable to widths
Abstract:
A MR sensor is disclosed that has a free layer (FL) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) which eliminates the need for an adjacent hard bias structure to stabilize free layer magnetization and minimizes shield-FL interactions. In a TMR embodiment, a seed layer, free layer, junction layer, reference layer, and pinning layer are sequentially formed on a bottom shield. After patterning, a conformal insulation layer is formed along the sensor sidewall. Thereafter, a top shield is formed on the insulation layer and includes side shields that are separated from the FL by a narrow read gap. The sensor is scalable to widths
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a PMR writer is disclosed that minimizes pole erasure during non-writing and maximize write field during writing by including an AFM-FM phase change material spacer that is in an AFM state during non-writing and switches to a FM state by heating during writing. The main pole layer including the write pole may be formed as a laminated structure by a sputter deposition process wherein a plurality of “n” ferromagnetic layers and “n−1” AFM-FM phase change material layers are laid down in an alternating manner. The AFM-FM phase change material is preferably a FeRh or FeRhX alloy (X=Pt, Pd, or Ir) having a Rh content >35 atomic %, and may also be used as a flux gate to prevent yoke flux from leaking into the write pole tip.
Abstract:
A spin transfer (torque) oscillator (STO) with a non-magnetic spacer formed between a spin injection layer (SIL) and a field generation layer (FGL), and with an interfacial layer comprised of Fe(100-V)CoV where v is from 5 to 100 atomic % formed between the SIL and non-magnetic spacer is disclosed. A composite seed layer made of Ta and a metal layer having a fcc(111) or hcp(001) texture is used to enhance perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in the STO device. The interfacial layer quenches SIL oscillations and thereby stabilizes the SIL against FGL oscillations. The interfacial layer preferably has a thickness from 5 to 50 Angstroms and enhances amplitude (dR/R) in the STO device. The STO device may have a top SIL or bottom SIL configuration. The SIL is typically a laminated structure such as (Co/Ni)X where x is between 5 and 50.
Abstract:
A spin transfer oscillator (STO) device is disclosed with a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) junction comprising a magnetic resistance layer (MRL)/spacer/magnetic oscillation layer (MOL) configuration, and a MR sensor including a sensing layer/junction layer/reference layer configuration. MOL and sensing layer are magnetostatically coupled and separated by a conductive spacer. MRL has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy while MOL and sensing layer have a Mst (saturation magnetization×thickness) value within ±50% of each other. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the planes of the MOL and a high density current flows from the conductive spacer to the MRL, a MOL oscillation state with a certain frequency is induced. Consequently, the sensing layer oscillates with a similar RF frequency and when a low density current flows across the MR sensor, an AC voltage signal is generated to determine the sensing layer frequency that can be varied by adjusting the applied field.
Abstract:
A spin transfer oscillator (STO) device is disclosed with a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) junction comprising a magnetic resistance layer (MRL)/spacer/magnetic oscillation layer (MOL) configuration, and a MR sensor including a sensing layer/junction layer/reference layer configuration. MOL and sensing layer are magnetostatically coupled and separated by a conductive spacer. MRL has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy while MOL and sensing layer have a Mst (saturation magnetization×thickness) value within ±50% of each other. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the planes of the MOL and a high density current flows from the conductive spacer to the MRL, a MOL oscillation state with a certain frequency is induced. Consequently, the sensing layer oscillates with a similar RF frequency and when a low density current flows across the MR sensor, an AC voltage signal is generated to determine the sensing layer frequency that can be varied by adjusting the applied field.
Abstract:
A spin transfer oscillator (STO) structure is disclosed that includes two assist layers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) to enable a field generation layer (FGL) to achieve an oscillation state at lower current density for MAMR applications. In one embodiment, the STO is formed between a main pole and write shield and the FGL has a synthetic anti-ferromagnetic structure. The STO configuration may be represented by seed layer/spin injection layer (SIL)/spacer/PMA layer 1/FGL/spacer/PMA layer 2/capping layer. The spacer may be Cu for giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices or a metal oxide for tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) devices. Alternatively, the FGL is a single ferromagnetic layer and the second PMA assist layer has a synthetic structure including two PMA layers with magnetic moment in opposite directions in a seed layer/SIL/spacer/PMA assist 1/FGL/spacer/PMA assist 2/capping layer configuration. SIL and PMA assist layers are laminates of (CoFe/Ni)x or the like.
Abstract:
A spin transfer oscillator with a seed/SIL/spacer/FGL/capping configuration is disclosed with a composite seed layer made of Ta and a metal layer having a fcc(111) or hcp(001) texture to enhance perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying (A1/A2)X laminated spin injection layer (SIL). Field generation layer (FGL) is made of a high Bs material such FeCo. Alternatively, the STO has a seed/FGL/spacer/SIL/capping configuration. The SIL may include a FeCo layer that is exchanged coupled with the (A1/A2)X laminate (x is 5 to 50) to improve robustness. The FGL may include an (A1/A2)Y laminate (y=5 to 30) exchange coupled with the high Bs layer to enable easier oscillations. A1 may be one of Co, CoFe, or CoFeR where R is a metal, and A2 is one of Ni, NiCo, or NiFe. The STO may be formed between a main pole and trailing shield in a write head.
Abstract:
We describe a system for electric field assisted magnetic recording where a recordable magnetic medium includes a magnetic recording layer of high coercivity and vertical magnetic anisotropy that is adjacent to an electrostrictive layer which can be placed in a state of stress by a electric field or which is already pre-stressed and which pre-stress can be turned into strain by an electric field. When the magnetic medium is acted on simultaneously by a magnetic writing field and an electric field, the stress in the electrostrictive layer is transferred to a magnetostrictive layer which is the magnetic recording layer by itself or is coupled to the magnetic recording layer, whereupon the magnetic recording layer is made more isotropic and more easily written upon. Residual stresses in the electrostrictive layer can then be removed by an additional electric field of opposite sign to the stress-producing field.
Abstract:
A track shield structure is disclosed that enables higher track density to be achieved in a patterned track medium without increasing adjacent track erasure and side reading. This is accomplished by placing a soft magnetic shielding structure in the space that is present between the tracks in the patterned medium. A process for manufacturing the added shielding structure is also described.