Tunnel junction structure with junction layer embedded in amorphous ferromagnetic layers

摘要

A tunnel junction sensor of a read head with a tunnel junction barrier layer embedded in amorphous ferromagnetic layers. The tunnel junction sensor includes an antiferromagnetic pinning layer, a crystalline pinned layer, an amorphous pinned layer, a tunnel junction barrier layer, an amorphous free layer and a crystalline free layer. The antiferromagnetic pinning layer is exchange coupled to the pinned layers so as to pin a magnetic moment in each of the pinned layers in a first direction. The free layers each have a magnetic moment oriented in a second direction, preferably perpendicular to the first direction.