Vertical AMR sensor with new magnetic stabilizing design

We have developed a new vertical anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor for narrow track recording. In this design, the lower NiFe layer is deposited on the hard magnetic film. A large exchange coupling occurs between these films. The upper NiFe layer is magnetostatically coupled with the lower NiFe film. As a result, a stable operation is achieved even with a narrow 1 /spl mu/m track width sensor. This head exhibits excellent recording characteristics.