An FEM analysis of the temperature rise distribution in a GMR head due to the sense current and contact resistance

The temperature rise and heat flux distribution in GMR heads due to a sense current were investigated. Calculations considering the contact resistance agreed with the measured temperature rise within 1%. Results showed that reducing the contact resistance is as effective in lowering the temperature rise as increasing thermal conductivities of the shields and gap insulators. These factors allow higher current densities for future heads.