Biasing characteristics of unshielded, boundary exchange-coupled SAL/MR sensors

A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor with patterned exchange-biasing layer at its end regions exhibits quite and stable responses. A mathematical model simulating an unshielded, boundary exchange-biased SAL/MR structure is developed. The modeled results are in good agreement with the experimental data. However, biasing characteristics are quite different from modeled results assuming infinitely long stripes. For the boundary exchange-coupled SAL/MR design, the strip height has a significant impact on the biasing characteristics and the effect becomes even more pronounced as the track width is further reduced.< >