Spin-valves with bias compensation layer

We successfully used a bias compensation layer (BCL) for an improved bias state and asymmetry in spin-valves having a structure of Ta/NiFe/Pd/sub 32/Pt/sub 17/Mn/CoFeB/sub 2//Cu/CoFeB/sub 2//NiFe/Ta/BCL/Ta. The shift of an MR response curve from a zero field is almost zero regardless of the polarity and magnitude of the sense current in an unshielded spin-valve element. Inductive/spin-valve heads were fabricated having trimmed high-Bs electroplated Ni/sub 45/Fe/sub 55/ top poles and a Ta(50 /spl Aring/)/NiFe(20 /spl Aring/)/PdPtMn(200 /spl Aring/)/CoFeB(20 /spl Aring/)/Cu(28 /spl Aring/)/CoFeB(25 /spl Aring/)/NiFe(20 /spl Aring/)/Ta(100 /spl Aring/)/NiFe(30 /spl Aring/)/Ta spin-valve film. Their read/write performance was tested on a CoCr/sub 19/Pt/sub 5/Ta/sub 2/Nb/sub 2/ thin-film disk. The dependence of sense current on the asymmetry was small. Narrow, effective write and read track widths of 0.85 /spl mu/m and 0.62 /spl mu/m were measured, an output of 660 /spl mu/Vpp and D/sub 50/ of 200 kFCI were obtained.