A tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) read sensor having a tabbed AFM layer and an extended pinned layer and methods for making the same are provided. The TMR read sensor has an AFM layer recessed from the air bearing surface, providing a reduced shield-to-shield distance.

Tunnel magnetoresistance read head with narrow shield-to-shield spacing

This invention describes a novel tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) deposition process that can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a TMR reader. A method of manufacturing a tunnel magnetoresistive sensor includes providing a substrate; forming a first portion of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the substrate; forming a second portion of the MTJ structure on the substrate; forming a tunnel barrier layer of the MTJ structure between the first portion and the second portion; heating the first portion of the MTJ structure before forming the tunnel barrier layer or after forming at least a portion of the tunnel barrier layer; and cooling the tunnel barrier layer.

Methods for manufacturing a magnetoresistive structure utilizing heating and cooling

A method and system for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a pole are disclosed. The pole has side(s), a bottom, and a top wider than the bottom. The method and system include providing at least one side gap layer that covers the side(s) and the top of the pole. At least one sacrificial layer is provided on the side gap layer(s). The sacrificial layer(s) are wet etchable and cover the side gap layer(s). The magnetic recording transducer is planarized after the sacrificial layer(s) are provided. Thus, a portion of the side gap and sacrificial layer(s) is removed. A remaining portion of the sacrificial layer(s) is thus left. The method and system also include wet etching the sacrificial layer(s) to remove the remaining portion of the sacrificial layer(s). A wrap around shield is provided after the remaining portion of the sacrificial layer(s) is removed.

Method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording head

In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a read sensor which includes a shield, a sensor element, a read gap positioned between the shield and the sensor element, and an extra gap positioned between the shield and the sensor element and adjacent the read gap. The sensor element is positioned in a sensor layer. With the sensor element and the shield separated by only the relatively thin gap layer, high sensitivity of the sensor element is obtained. Further, by placing the relatively thick extra gap between the shield and the sensor layer and about the sensor element, the potential for shorting is minimized. The shield can be planarized to keep the read gap and the sensor layer at, and about, the sensor element substantially planar. This, in turn, results in improved control of sensor track widths and greatly reduces the potential for pooling of photoresist. In at least one embodiment, the method of the invention is for fabricating a read sensor and includes depositing a read gap onto a planarized shield, depositing an extra gap adjacent an exposed portion of the read gap, and depositing a sensor element onto the exposed portion of the first gap and adjacent to the extra gap.

Data storage and retrieval apparatus with thin film read head having a planar sensor element and an extra gap and method of fabrication thereof

A method fabricates a side shield for a magnetic transducer having a nonmagnetic layer and an ABS location corresponding to an ABS. The nonmagnetic layer has a pole trench therein. The pole trench has a shape and location corresponding to the pole. A wet etchable layer is deposited. Part of the wet etchable layer resides in the pole trench. A pole is formed. The pole has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom in the pole tip region. Part of the pole in the pole tip region is in the pole trench on at least part of the wet etchable layer. At least parts of the wet etchable layer and the nonmagnetic layer are removed, forming an air bridge. The air bridge is between part of the pole at the ABS location and an underlying layer. Side shield layer(s) that substantially fill the air bridge are deposited.

Method for providing a side shield for a magnetic recording transducer using an air bridge

In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a read sensor comprising a shield, a sensor element, an extra shield between the shield and the sensor element, an extra gap between the shield and the sensor and adjacent the extra shield, and a gap layer between the sensor element and the extra shield. The sensor element is positioned in a sensor layer. With the extra shield adjacent to the sensor element and separated by only the relatively thin gap layer, high areal recording density and excellent instability of the sensor element is obtained. At the same time, by fabricating the extra shield to be not significantly wider than the sensor element, the potential for shorting is minimized by placing both the gap and the thicker extra gap between the sensor lead elements and the shield. In at least one embodiment, the method of the invention is for fabricating a read sensor and comprises depositing an extra gap layer onto a shield, removing a portion of the extra gap layer to form a cavity, depositing an extra shield into the cavity, planarizing the extra gap and the extra shield, depositing a gap layer onto the extra gap and the extra shield, and depositing a sensor element onto the gap layer and adjacent to the extra shield.

Song Pang

Papers

Data storage and retrieval apparatus with thin film read head having planarized extra gap and shield layers and method of fabrication thereof