Magnetoresistive sensor with overlaid combined leads and shields

Abstract

A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a first magnetic shield; a first insulation layer disposed above said first magnetic shield; a plurality of sensor layers disposed above said first insulation layer; two electrical leads overlying a majority of a surface of the sensor layers, the electrical leads being formed of a magnetic material and serving as a second magnetic shield; and a read width insulation member disposed above said sensor layers and between said two electrically conductive members, the read width insulation members lying in a common plane with the electrically conductive members, the common plane being oriented parallel to a plane of deposition of the read width insulation member. Other systems and methods are also presented.

1 . A magnetic head comprising:
 a first magnetic shield;   a first insulation layer disposed above said first magnetic shield;   a plurality of sensor layers disposed above said first insulation layer;   two electrical leads overlying a majority of a surface of the sensor layers, the electrical leads being formed of a magnetic material and serving as a second magnetic shield; and   a read width insulation member disposed above said sensor layers and between said two electrically conductive members, the read width insulation members lying in a common plane with the electrically conductive members, the common plane being oriented parallel to a plane of deposition of the read width insulation member.   
     
     
         2 . A magnetic head as described in claim I wherein said electrical leads are electrically connected to an electrical sensor circuit of said magnetic head. 
     
     
         3 . A magnetic head as described in  claim 1  further comprising a second insulation layer disposed above said two electrical leads and above said read width insulation member. 
     
     
         4 . A magnetic head as described in  claim 3  wherein a further magnetic shield is disposed above said sensor insulation layer. 
     
     
         5 . A magnetic head as described in  claim 1  wherein said read width insulation member is formed with a width of from approximately 1 nm to approximately 40 nm. 
     
     
         6 . A magnetic head as described in  claim 1  wherein said magnetic material is NiFe. 
     
     
         7 . A magnetic head as described in  claim 1 , wherein said electrical lead includes an inner portion that is comprised of a magnetic material and an outer portion that is comprised of a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         8 . A hard disk drive comprising:
 a magnetic head as recited in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         9 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head, comprising:
 fabricating a first magnetic shield above a wafer substrate;   fabricating a first insulation layer above said first magnetic shield;   fabricating a plurality of sensor layers above said first insulation layer;   fabricating a read width insulation member above said sensor layers;   depositing electrical lead material above said sensor layers and above and in a same deposition plane as said read width insulation member, the electrical lead material overlying a majority of a surface of the sensor layers, the electrical lead material comprising a magnetic material, the electrical lead material serving as a second magnetic shield.   
     
     
         10 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head as described in  claim 9 , further comprising removing portions of said electrical lead material such that an upper surface of said read width insulation member is exposed; and depositing a second insulation layer above said electrical leads and above said upper surface of said read width insulation member. 
     
     
         11 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head as described in  claim 10 , further comprising fabricating a further magnetic shield above said second insulation layer. 
     
     
         12 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head as described in  claim 9 , wherein electrical leads are fabricated by fabricating an inner portion of said electrical leads from the magnetic material and fabricating outer portions of said electrical leads from a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         13 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head as described in  claim 9 , further comprising coupling said electrical lead material to an electrical sensor circuit. 
     
     
         14 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head as described in  claim 9 , wherein said read width insulation member is formed with a width of from approximately 1 nm to approximately 40 nm. 
     
     
         15 . A method for fabricating a magnetic head as described in  claim 9 , wherein said magnetic material is NiFe.