IMPACT OF NEW MAGNETORESISTIVE MATERIALS ON MAGNETIC RECORDING-HEADS

Advances in magnetoresistive materials have recently enabled magnetic recording heads to achieve higher levels of performance. This article describes why higher signal outputs are necessary for improvements to be made in areal density. The requirements for recording at an areal d ensity of 16 Mb/mm(2) (10 Gb/in.(2)) are discussed with regards to bot h the channel and the head design. Increased output from new multilaye r magnetoresistive materials is required to counteract the decrease in output due to the reduction in the size of the head geometry. An area l density of 16 Mb/mm(2) is shown to be feasible with spin valve recor ding heads using materials with magnetoresistance ratios of 10%. Fabri cation issues relating to the manufacturing of these materials are sho wn to be more stringent than previously required. (C) 1996 American In stitute of Physics.