Micromagnetic simulation of 010 Gb/in2 Spin-Valve Heads

Abstract

Micromagnetic modeling was used to study the behavior of a shielded, spin-valve head with dimensions appropriate for 10 Gb/in2 recording. Signal symmetry and magnitude as a function of bias current was studied for three head geometries. The errors introduced by the common approximations-4of perfect pinning in the pinned layer and two-dimensional geometry are investigated. Transfer curve asymmetry was found to be greater for practical exchange pinning fields than for the perfect pinning sometimes assumed. Signal amplitudes were found to be lower than would be predicted by 2 dimensional models due to flux being partially carried in areas that are electrically shunted, and also lower due to the imperfect pinning. © 1996 IEEE.