Dual-element GMR/inductive heads for gigabits density recording using CoFe spin-valves

We have succeeded in designing, fabricating, and testing GMR/inductive heads. 1 /spl mu/m trackwidth CoFe spin-valve read elements showed high sensitivity even after head fabrication due to its good thermal stability. About 1.5 /spl mu/m trackwidth a-CoZrNb write elements with Bs (Saturation flux density) of 1.35 T fabricated by trench filling process showed high potential for Gbit density recording. As a result of the feasibility study, 18 kTPI and 140 kBPI are thought to be within the scope by combining the dual element heads with low-noise media.