A model of the exchange bias setting process in magnetic read sensors

A model of the acquisition of exchange bias during the high temperature annealing process used to set the bias direction in the antiferromagnet is described. The model is applied to the investigation of the process of setting the bias direction in the antiferromagnetic layer, which comprises a high-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 2009-07, Vol.95 (2), p.022504-022504-3
Main Authors: Barker, J., Craig, B., Lamberton, R., Johnston, A., Chantrell, R. W., Heinonen, O.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A model of the acquisition of exchange bias during the high temperature annealing process used to set the bias direction in the antiferromagnet is described. The model is applied to the investigation of the process of setting the bias direction in the antiferromagnetic layer, which comprises a high-temperature anneal in a field sufficiently large to saturate the ferromagnetic layers. It is shown that there is an optimal setting temperature depending on the material parameters. The temperature dependence of the antiferromagnetic anisotropy is shown to be an important factor in achieving maximum exchange bias.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.3179154