CPP-GMR heads with a current screen layer for high areal density

We investigated the potential for high-areal-density recording in current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) heads with a current screen layer. The current screen layer is a nano-oxide layer with confined current paths. We fabricated the current screen CPP-GMR heads with a narro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2008-11, Vol.320 (22), p.2975-2979
Main Authors: Katada, H., Nakamoto, K., Hoshiya, H., Hoshino, K., Yoshida, N., Shiimoto, M., Sato, Y., Takazawa, H., Yasui, K., Hatatani, M., Watanabe, K., Ikeda, Y., Meguro, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Confined current path
CPP-GMR
Current screen layer
Electronics
Exact sciences and technology
General equipment and techniques
Giant magnetoresistance
Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Magnetic properties and materials
Magnetoelectric, magnetostrictive, magnetoacoustic, magnetooptic and magnetothermal devices. Spintronics
Magnetotransport phenomena, materials for magnetotransport
Miscellaneous
Nano-oxide layer
Physics
Read head
Read sensor
Resistance distribution
Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
Sensors (chemical, optical, electrical, movement, gas, etc.)
remote sensing
Spin-torque
Storage and reproduction of information
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Description
Summary:We investigated the potential for high-areal-density recording in current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) heads with a current screen layer. The current screen layer is a nano-oxide layer with confined current paths. We fabricated the current screen CPP-GMR heads with a narrow sensor width of 40–50 nm, a high MR ratio of 17%, and low-resistance-area (RA) product of 0.2 Ω μm 2. The fabricated heads showed a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 30–40 dB. No extra noise, such as spin-torque noise, was observed. Linear density of 1360 kFCI from the head with the magnetic read width of 45 nm was obtained. Distribution of sensor resistance due to nano-hole area distribution in the current screen layer can be reduced with low-RA film. Spin-torque noise can be suppressed by reducing the current-induced field and controlling the shape anisotropy. Accordingly, the current screen CPP-GMR head is a promising candidate that has the potential for high-areal-density recording.
ISSN:0304-8853
DOI:10.1016/j.jmmm.2008.08.023