DFL reader signal sidebump imbalance reduction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12340825-B2
Application number	US-202318533533-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2023
Priority date	Dec 5, 2023
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A dual free layer (DFL) read head or reader oftentimes has a sidebump in a signal amplitude vs. cross-track profile plot. The sidebump is a magnetic signal of the reader in response to the magnetic field of magnetic media with finite thickness. The sidebump magnitude is far below the main magnetic signal of the reader and is offset from the center of the track in the cross-track direction. When two sidebumps are present (one on each side of the center of the track), the sidebump should generally and ideally be symmetrically offset in the cross-track direction else there is a negative impact on reader performance. To obtain offset symmetry, a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) shield may be used, magnetic moments of soft bias layers can be adjusted, and spacing between the free layers of the DFL read head and the layers of the soft bias can also be adjusted.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic read head, comprising:
a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) (SAF) shield, wherein the SAF shield comprises a first magnetic layer, an antiferromagnetic coupling layer, and a second magnetic layer;
a first free layer disposed over the SAF shield;
a barrier layer disposed on the first free layer;
a second free layer disposed on the barrier layer;
a soft bias structure disposed laterally, in a cross-track direction at a media facing surface (MFS), adjacent the first free layer and the second free layer;
a rear bias structure recessed from the MFS, wherein the second magnetic layer has a stripe height from the MFS that does not exceed an amount the rear bias structure is recessed from the MFS; and
a second shield disposed over the second free layer and the soft bias structure.

2. The magnetic read head of claim 1 , wherein the SAF shield comprises:
an AFM layer, the first magnetic layer being disposed on the AFM layer;
wherein the antiferromagnetic coupling layer is disposed on the first magnetic layer; and
wherein the second magnetic layer is disposed on the antiferromagnetic coupling layer.

3. The magnetic read head of claim 2 , wherein the soft bias structure is disposed over the antiferromagnetic coupling layer.

4. The magnetic read head of claim 1 , wherein the SAF shield includes a notch.

5. The magnetic read head of claim 1 , wherein the SAF shield comprises:
an AFM layer;
wherein the first magnetic layer is disposed on the AFM layer and has a first width in the cross-track direction at the MFS;
wherein the antiferromagnetic coupling layer is disposed on the first magnetic layer; and
wherein the second magnetic layer is disposed on the antiferromagnetic coupling layer and has a second width in the cross-track direction at the MFS, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

6. The magnetic read head of claim 5 , wherein the first free layer has a third width at the MFS and wherein the second width and the third width are substantially equal.

7. A magnetic recording device comprising the magnetic read head of claim 1 .

8. A magnetic read head, comprising:
a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) (SAF) shield, the SAF shield comprising:
an AFM layer;
a first magnetic layer disposed on the AFM layer;
an antiferromagnetic coupling layer disposed on the first magnetic layer; and
a second magnetic layer disposed on the antiferromagnetic coupling layer;

a first free layer disposed over the SAF shield;
a barrier layer disposed on the first free layer;
a second free layer disposed on the barrier layer;
a soft bias structure disposed laterally, in a cross-track direction at a media facing surface (MFS), adjacent the first free layer and the second free layer;
a rear bias structure recessed from the MFS, wherein the second magnetic layer has a stripe height from the MFS that does not exceed an amount the rear bias structure is recessed from the MFS; and
a second shield disposed over the second free layer and the soft bias structure.

9. The magnetic read head of claim 8 , wherein the SAF shield includes a notch.

10. The magnetic read head of claim 8 ,
wherein the first magnetic layer has a first width in the cross-track direction at the MFS; and
wherein the second magnetic layer has a second width in the cross-track direction at the MFS, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

11. The magnetic read head of claim 10 , wherein the first free layer has a third width at the MFS and wherein the second width and the third width are substantially equal.

12. The magnetic read head of claim 8 , wherein the soft bias structure is disposed over the antiferromagnetic coupling layer.

13. A magnetic recording device comprising the magnetic read head of claim 8 .

Assignees

• Western Digital Tech Inc

Inventors

• Liu Xiaoyong
• Wang Songzi
• De Albuquerque Goncalo Baiao
• Okada Yukimasa
• Xiang Xiaohai

Classifications

• G11B5/39

  using magneto-resistive devices {or effects} · CPC title

• G11B5/11 Primary

  Shielding of head against electric or magnetic fields · CPC title

• G11B2005/3996

  large or giant magnetoresistive effects [GMR], e.g. as generated in spin-valve [SV] devices · CPC title

• G11B5/3954

  the active elements transducing on a single track · CPC title

• G11B5/398 Primary

  Specially shaped layers · CPC title