Title :
Design and operation of spin valve sensors
Author :
Heim, D.E. ; Fontana, R.E., Jr. ; Tsang, C. ; Speriosu, V.S. ; Gurney, B.A. ; Williams, M.L.
Author_Institution :
Storage Syst. Div., IBM Corp., San Jose, CA, USA
fDate :
3/1/1994 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Two types of patterned, unshielded Giant MagnetoResistance (GMR) spin valve sensors have been fabricated: nano-layered NiFe/Co/Cu/Co/NiFe and simpler NiFe/Cu/Co spin valves. GMR values of 7.6% for ΔH=10 Oe were measured for the nano-layered structures on coupons. Transfer curves in uniform fields were obtained and were in agreement with theoretical expectations. The sensors were highly linear and well biased. Optimum biasing of the free layer in the spin valve sensor has new features over that in AMR sensors. These were explored in shielded as well as unshielded spin valves using micromagnetic simulation
Keywords :
cobalt; copper; electric sensing devices; magnetic multilayers; magnetic recording; magnetic thin film devices; magnetoresistive devices; nickel alloys; GMR values; NiFe-Co-Cu-Co-NiFe; NiFe/Co/Cu/Co/NiFe; micromagnetic simulation; nanolayered structures; optimum biasing; shielded spin valves; spin valve sensors; transfer curves; unshielded giant magnetoresistance sensors; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Gas detectors; Giant magnetoresistance; Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetic sensors; Magnetic shielding; Micromagnetics; Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; Sensor phenomena and characterization; Spin valves;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
