The electrical and magnetic response of yoke-type read heads based on a magnetic tunnel junction

The development of magnetic junctions showing a large tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) effect upon a change of the relative magnetizations of the electrode layers from parallel to antiparallel [I] raises the question how large the possible increase in performance of magnetic read heads based on tunnel junctions could be, as compared to read heads based on giant magnetoresistive (GMR) elements.