U.S. patent application number 13/149419 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for three-terminal spin-torque oscillator (sto).
Invention is credited to Patrick Mesquita Braganca, Bruce Alvin Gurney, Jordan Asher Katine.
Application Number | 20120307404 13/149419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47190902 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120307404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Braganca; Patrick Mesquita ;
et al. |
December 6, 2012 |
THREE-TERMINAL SPIN-TORQUE OSCILLATOR (STO)
Abstract
A spin-torque oscillator (STO) has a single free ferromagnetic
layer that forms part of both a giant magnetoresistance (GMR)
structure with a nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer and a
tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) structure with a tunnel barrier
layer. The STO has three electrical terminals that connect to
electrical circuitry that provides a spin-torque excitation current
through the conductive spacer layer and a lesser sense current
through the tunnel barrier layer. When the STO is used as a
magnetic field sensor, the excitation current causes the
magnetization of the free layer to oscillate at a fixed base
frequency in the absence of an external magnetic field. A detector
coupled to the sense current detects shifts in the free layer
magnetization oscillation frequency from the base frequency in
response to external magnetic fields.
Inventors: |
Braganca; Patrick Mesquita;
(San Jose, CA) ; Gurney; Bruce Alvin; (San Jose,
CA) ; Katine; Jordan Asher; (Mountain View,
CA) |
Family ID: |
47190902 |
Appl. No.: |
13/149419 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/245.8 ;
331/107R; G9B/5.147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 33/1284 20130101;
H01F 10/3254 20130101; G01R 33/098 20130101; G11B 2005/0005
20130101; H01F 10/1936 20130101; H01F 10/329 20130101; H01F 10/3286
20130101; H01L 43/08 20130101; G11B 5/3903 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/245.8 ;
331/107.R; G9B/5.147 |
International
Class: |
G11B 5/48 20060101
G11B005/48; H03B 7/14 20060101 H03B007/14 |
Claims
1. A spin-torque oscillator (STO) comprising: a substrate; and a
set of layers on the substrate comprising: a free ferromagnetic
layer having a magnetization that oscillates in the presence of an
excitation current perpendicularly through the plane of the free
layer; a first ferromagnetic reference layer having a fixed
magnetization; a nonmagnetic tunnel barrier layer between and in
contact with the free layer and the first reference layer; a second
ferromagnetic reference layer having a fixed magnetization; a
nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer between and in
contact with the free layer and the second reference layer; and
three electrical terminals for connection of electrical circuitry
to the oscillator, wherein a first of said three terminals is
electrically coupled to the first reference layer, a second of said
three terminals is electrically coupled to the second reference
layer, and the third of said three terminals is electrically
coupled to one of said conductive spacer layer and said free
layer.
2. The STO of claim 1 wherein the magnetization of each of the
first and second reference layers is oriented substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the layer.
3. The STO of claim 1 wherein the magnetization of each of the
first and second reference layers is oriented substantially in the
plane of the layer.
4. The STO of claim 3 wherein the magnetization directions of the
first and second reference layers are substantially parallel to one
another, and wherein the magnetization direction of the free layer,
in the absence of an excitation current, is substantially
antiparallel to the magnetization directions of the first and
second reference layers.
5. The STO according to claim 1 further comprising electrical
circuitry connected to the set of layers for supplying an
excitation current through the conductive spacer layer, the
excitation current being selected from a direct current (DC) and an
alternating current (AC) and having sufficient current density to
cause the magnetization of the free layer to oscillate, and for
supplying a lesser sense current through the tunnel barrier
layer.
6. The STO of claim 1 wherein the free ferromagnetic layer has a
composition of (Co.sub.xFe.sub.100-x).sub.(100-y)M.sub.y, where M
is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ge and Si
and where x is between about 40 and 60 and y is between about 20
and 40.
7. The STO of claim 1 wherein the free ferromagnetic layer
comprises a ferromagnetic Heusler alloy selected from the group
consisting of Co.sub.2MnX (where X is selected from the group
consisting of Al, Sb, Si, Sn, Ga, and Ge), NiMnSb, PtMnSb,
Co.sub.2FeSi, and Co.sub.2Fe.sub.xCr.sub.(1-x)Al (where x is
between 0 and 1).
8. A spin-torque oscillator (STO) sensor for sensing external
magnetic fields comprising: a substrate; and a set of layers on the
substrate comprising: a free ferromagnetic layer having an in-plane
magnetization substantially free to oscillate in the presence of an
external magnetic field to be sensed; a first ferromagnetic
reference layer having a fixed in-plane magnetization; a
nonmagnetic tunnel barrier layer between and in contact with the
free layer and the first reference layer; a second ferromagnetic
reference layer having a fixed in-plane magnetization; a
nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer between and in
contact with the free layer and the second reference layer; and
three electrical terminals for connection of electrical circuitry
to the sensor.
9. The sensor of claim 8 wherein a first of said three terminals is
electrically coupled to the first reference layer, a second of said
three terminals is electrically coupled to the second reference
layer, and the third of said three terminals is electrically
coupled to one of said conductive spacer layer and said free
layer.
10. The sensor of claim 8 wherein the substrate is a first shield
layer of magnetically permeable material and further comprising a
second shield layer of magnetically permeable material, the set of
layers being located between the first and second shield layers,
and wherein a first of said three terminals is electrically coupled
to the first shield layer, a second of said three terminals is
electrically coupled to the second shield layer, and the third of
said three terminals is electrically coupled to one of said
conductive spacer layer and said free layer.
11. The sensor of claim 10 wherein the set of layers is a stack of
layers.
12. The sensor of claim 10 wherein the second reference layer is
located in substantially the same plane as the conductive spacer
layer.
13. The sensor of claim 10 wherein one of said first reference
layer and said second reference layer is located in substantially
the same plane as the free layer.
14. The sensor of claim 8 wherein the magnetization directions of
the first and second reference layers are substantially parallel to
one another, and wherein the magnetization direction of the free
layer, in the absence of an external magnetic field, is
substantially antiparallel to the magnetization directions of the
first and second reference layers.
15. A magnetic field sensing system comprising: a spin-torque
oscillator (STO) sensor for sensing external magnetic fields
comprising: a substrate; and a set of layers on the substrate
comprising: a free ferromagnetic layer having an in-plane
magnetization substantially free to oscillate in the presence of an
external magnetic field to be sensed; a first ferromagnetic
reference layer having a fixed in-plane magnetization; a
nonmagnetic tunnel barrier layer between and in contact with the
free layer and the first reference layer; a second ferromagnetic
reference layer having a fixed in-plane magnetization; a
nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer between and in
contact with the free layer and the second reference layer; and
three electrical terminals for connection of electrical circuitry
to the sensor; electrical circuitry connected to the sensor stack
for supplying an excitation current through the conductive spacer
layer, the excitation current having sufficient current density to
cause the magnetization of the free layer to oscillate at a base
frequency in the absence of an external magnetic field, and for
supplying a lesser sense current through the tunnel barrier layer;
and a detector coupled to the sense current circuitry for detecting
shifts in the free layer magnetization oscillation frequency from
said base frequency in response to external magnetic fields.
16. A disk drive having a magnetic recording disk and a read sensor
for reading recorded data from the disk comprising: a rotatable
magnetic recording disk having magnetized regions providing
magnetic fields, the transitions between magnetized regions
representing recorded data; a carrier for supporting a read sensor
near the disk, the carrier having a disk-facing surface; first and
second magnetically permeable shields on the carrier; a read sensor
between the first and second shields for detecting the magnetic
fields from the magnetized regions on the disk, the read sensor
comprising: a free ferromagnetic layer having an in-plane
magnetization oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to
the disk-facing surface of the carrier in the absence of magnetic
fields from the disk and substantially free to oscillate in the
presence of magnetic fields from the disk; a first ferromagnetic
reference layer not in contact with the free layer and having a
fixed in-plane magnetization oriented substantially antiparallel to
the magnetization of the free layer in the absence of magnetic
fields from the disk; a nonmagnetic tunnel barrier layer between
and in contact with the free layer and the first reference layer; a
second ferromagnetic reference layer not in contact with the free
layer and having a fixed in-plane magnetization oriented
substantially parallel to the magnetization of the first reference
layer; a nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer not in
contact with the tunnel barrier layer and between and in contact
with the free layer and the second reference layer; means for
supplying an excitation current through the conductive spacer
layer, the excitation current having sufficient current density to
cause the magnetization of the free layer to oscillate at a base
frequency in the absence of a magnetic field from the disk; means
for supplying a DC sense current through the tunnel barrier layer
with a current density less than the excitation current density;
and a detector responsive to the sense current for detecting shifts
in the free layer magnetization oscillation frequency from said
base frequency in response to magnetic fields from the disk.
17. The disk drive of claim 16 further comprising a first terminal
connected to one of the shields, a second terminal connected to the
other shield, and a third terminal connected to a layer selected
from the conductive spacer layer and the free layer; wherein the
excitation current means is connected between the third terminal
and one of the first and second terminals; and wherein the sense
current means is connected between the third terminal and the one
of the first and second terminals that is not connected to the
excitation current means.
18. The disk drive of claim 16 wherein the tunnel barrier layer is
in contact with one surface of the free layer and the conductive
spacer layer is in contact with the opposite surface of the free
layer.
19. The disk drive of claim 16 one of the first and second
reference layers is recessed from the disk-facing surface of the
carrier.
20. The disk drive of claim 16 wherein the second reference layer
and conductive spacer layer are recessed from the disk-facing
surface of the carrier.
21. The disk drive of claim 16 wherein the magnetized regions of
the disk are magnetized in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the disk.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to a spin-torque oscillator
(STO), and more particularly to a magnetic field sensor and sensing
system that uses a STO sensor.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] One type of conventional magnetoresistive (MR) sensor used
as the read head in magnetic recording disk drives is a
"spin-valve" sensor based on the giant magnetoresistance (GMR)
effect. A GMR spin-valve sensor has a stack of layers that includes
two ferromagnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic electrically
conductive spacer layer, which is typically copper (Cu). One
ferromagnetic layer adjacent the spacer layer has its magnetization
direction fixed, such as by being pinned by exchange coupling with
an adjacent antiferromagnetic layer, and is referred to as the
reference layer. The other ferromagnetic layer adjacent the spacer
layer has its magnetization direction free to rotate in the
presence of an external magnetic field and is referred to as the
free layer. With a sense current applied to the sensor, the
rotation of the free-layer magnetization relative to the
reference-layer magnetization due to the presence of an external
magnetic field, such as from the recorded magnetic bits on the
disk, is detectable as a change in electrical resistance. If the
sense current is directed perpendicularly through the planes of the
layers in the sensor stack, the sensor is referred to as a
current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) sensor.
[0005] In addition to CPP-GMR read heads, another type of CPP
sensor is a magnetic tunnel junction sensor, also called a
tunneling MR or TMR sensor, in which the nonmagnetic spacer layer
is a very thin nonmagnetic tunnel barrier layer. In a CPP-TMR
sensor the tunneling current perpendicularly through the layers
depends on the relative orientation of the magnetizations in the
two ferromagnetic layers. In a CPP-GMR read head the nonmagnetic
spacer layer is formed of an electrically conductive material,
typically a metal such as Cu or Ag. In a CPP-TMR read head the
nonmagnetic spacer layer is formed of an electrically insulating
material, such as TiO.sub.2, MgO or Al.sub.2O.sub.3.
[0006] In CPP MR sensors, it is desirable to operate the sensors at
a high bias or sense current density to maximize the signal and
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, it is known that CPP MR
sensors are susceptible to current-induced noise and instability.
The spin-polarized bias current flows perpendicularly through the
ferromagnetic layers and produces a spin-torque (ST) effect on the
local magnetization. This can produce fluctuations of the
magnetization, resulting in substantial low-frequency magnetic
noise if the sense current is large.
[0007] An alternative sensor based on a CPP-GMR or CPP-TMR sensor
structure, called a spin-torque oscillator (STO) sensor, is
designed so that the spin torque effect generates persistent
precession of the magnetization. When a fixed direct current higher
than I.sub.c, called the critical current, is directed through the
STO sensor, the magnetization of the free layer precesses or
oscillates by virtue of the ST effect. In appropriately designed
structures the frequency of this precession (oscillation frequency)
shifts with the application of an external magnetic field, and
these frequency shifts can be used to detect changes in the
external magnetic field. Thus, STO sensors have been proposed for
use as read heads in magnetic recording disk drives to replace
conventional CPP-GMR and CPP-TMR read heads, as described for
example in US 20100328799 A1 assigned to the same assignee as this
application, and in US 20090201614 A1.
[0008] An STO sensor based on a CPP-GMR sensor can operate at very
high current densities due to its nonmagnetic conductive spacer
layer between the reference and free layers, but has a very small
output signal as a result of its low magnetoresistance (AR/R). An
STO sensor based on a CPP-TMR sensor has a significantly higher
magnetoresistance but is susceptible to dielectric breakdown of the
tunnel barrier at high current density.
[0009] What is needed is a STO for use in a system, like a magnetic
field sensing system, that has a high output signal that is not
susceptible to dielectric breakdown of the tunnel barrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is a spin-torque oscillator (STO) with a
single free layer that forms part of both a GMR structure with a
nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer and a TMR structure with a
tunnel barrier layer. The STO has three electrical terminals that
connect to electrical circuitry that provides a spin-torque
excitation current through the conductive spacer layer and a lesser
sense current through the tunnel barrier layer. The STO has
applications for use as an oscillator in mixers, radios, cell
phones and radar (including vehicle radar), and as an oscillator in
microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR).
[0011] In one specific application the STO is a magnetic field
sensor, such as a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) disk
drive read head. In this application the STO sensor has a single
free ferromagnetic layer that has an in-plane magnetization
substantially free to oscillate in the presence of external
magnetic fields to be sensed, such as the magnetized "bits" or
regions on the disk. The free layer forms part of both a TMR
structure with tunnel barrier layer and a first reference layer
having a fixed in-plane magnetization, and a GMR structure with a
nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer and a second reference layer
having a fixed in-plane magnetization. The STO sensor has three
electrical contacts or terminals for connection to electrical
circuitry. A first terminal is electrically coupled to the first
reference layer, a second terminal is electrically coupled to the
second reference layer, and a third terminal is electrically
coupled to either the conductive spacer layer or the free layer.
The electrical circuitry connected to the STO terminals includes an
excitation current source and a sense current source. The
excitation current is greater that the critical current for the GMR
structure and is high enough to provide sufficient current density
to cause the magnetization of the free layer to oscillate at a
fixed base frequency in the absence of an external magnetic field.
The sense current is less than the critical current for the TMR
structure. A detector coupled to the sense current detects shifts
in the free layer magnetization oscillation frequency from the base
frequency in response to the external magnetic fields from the
magnetized regions of the disk.
[0012] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of
the present invention, reference should be made to the following
detailed description taken together with the accompanying
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a conventional magnetic
recording hard disk drive with the cover removed.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the slider and a section
of the disk taken in the direction 2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view in the direction 3-3 of FIG. 2 and shows
the air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider with the ends of the
read/write head.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the ABS of a
current-perpendicular-to-the-plane magnetoresistive (CPP MR) read
head showing the stack of layers located between the magnetic
shield layers according to the prior art.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a magnetic field spin-torque
oscillator (STO) sensing system according to an embodiment of the
invention in a magnetic recording disk drive implementation.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the
STO sensor in reflection mode but wherein the second reference
layer is not in the stack but recessed from the ABS.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic of an embodiment with the STO sensor
in transmission mode but wherein both the second reference layer
and the nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer are not in the stack
but recessed from the ABS.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic of an embodiment with the STO sensor
in transmission mode but wherein both the first reference layer and
the tunnel barrier layer are not in the stack but are recessed from
the ABS.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The three-terminal STO according to the invention has
applications other than as a magnetic field sensor, but will be
described in detail below as magnetic recording disk drive read
head.
[0022] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a conventional CPP magnetoresistive
(MR) magnetic field sensing sensor and system. FIG. 1 is a block
diagram of a conventional magnetic recording hard disk drive. The
disk drive includes a magnetic recording disk 12 and a rotary voice
coil motor (VCM) actuator 14 supported on a disk drive housing or
base 16. The disk 12 has a center of rotation 13 and is rotated in
direction 15 by a spindle motor (not shown) mounted to base 16. The
actuator 14 pivots about axis 17 and includes a rigid actuator arm
18. A generally flexible suspension 20 includes a flexure element
23 and is attached to the end of arm 18. A head carrier or
air-bearing slider 22 is attached to the flexure 23. A magnetic
recording read/write head 24 is formed on the trailing surface 25
of slider 22. The flexure 23 and suspension 20 enable the slider to
"pitch" and "roll" on an air-bearing generated by the rotating disk
12. Typically, there are multiple disks stacked on a hub that is
rotated by the spindle motor, with a separate slider and read/write
head associated with each disk surface.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the slider 22 and a
section of the disk 12 taken in the direction 2-2 in FIG. 1. The
slider 22 is attached to flexure 23 and has an air-bearing surface
(ABS) 27 facing the disk 12 and a trailing surface 25 generally
perpendicular to the ABS. The ABS 27 causes the airflow from the
rotating disk 12 to generate a bearing of air that supports the
slider 20 in very close proximity to or near contact with the
surface of disk 12. The read/write head 24 is formed on the
trailing surface 25 and is connected to the disk drive read/write
electronics by electrical connection to terminal pads 29 on the
trailing surface 25. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2, the
disk 12 is a patterned-media disk with discrete data tracks 50
spaced-apart in the cross-track direction, one of which is shown as
being aligned with read/write head 24. The discrete data tracks 50
have a track width TW in the cross-track direction and may be
formed of continuous magnetizable material in the circumferential
direction, in which case the patterned-media disk 12 is referred to
as a discrete-track-media (DTM) disk. Alternatively, the data
tracks 50 may contain discrete data islands spaced-apart along the
tracks, in which case the patterned-media disk 12 is referred to as
a bit-patterned-media (BPM) disk. The disk 12 may also be a
conventional continuous-media (CM) disk wherein the recording layer
is not patterned, but is a continuous layer of recording material.
In a CM disk the concentric data tracks with track width TW are
created when the write head writes on the continuous recording
layer.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view in the direction 3-3 of FIG. 2 and shows
the ends of read/write head 24 as viewed from the disk 12. The
read/write head 24 is a series of thin films deposited and
lithographically patterned on the trailing surface 25 of slider 22.
The write head includes a perpendicular magnetic write pole (WP)
and may also include trailing and/or side shields (not shown). The
CPP MR sensor or read head 100 is located between two magnetic
shields S1 and S2. The shields S1, S2 are formed of magnetically
permeable material, typically a NiFe alloy, and may also be
electrically conductive so they can function as the electrical
leads to the read head 100. The shields function to shield the read
head 100 from recorded data bits that are neighboring the data bit
being read. Separate electrical leads may also be used, in which
case the read head 100 is formed in contact with layers of
electrically conducting lead material, such as tantalum, gold, or
copper, that are in contact with the shields S1, S2. FIG. 3 is not
to scale because of the difficulty in showing very small
dimensions. Typically each shield S1, S2 is several microns thick
in the along-the-track direction, as compared to the total
thickness of the read head 100 in the along-the-track direction,
which may be in the range of 20 to 40 nm.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a view of the ABS showing the layers making up a
CPP MR sensor structure as would be viewed from the disk. Sensor
100 is a CPP MR read head comprising a stack of layers formed
between the two magnetic shield layers S1, S2. The sensor 100 has a
front edge at the ABS and spaced-apart side edges 102, 104 that
define the track width (TW). The shields S1, S2 are formed of
electrically conductive material and thus may also function as
electrical leads for the bias or sense current I.sub.s, which is
directed generally perpendicularly through the layers in the sensor
stack. Alternatively, separate electrical lead layers may be formed
between the shields S1, S2 and the sensor stack. The lower shield
S1 is typically polished by chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) to
provide a smooth substrate for the growth of the sensor stack. A
seed layer 101, such as a thin Ru/NiFe bilayer, is deposited,
typically by sputtering, below S2 to facilitate the electroplating
of the relatively thick S2.
[0026] The sensor 100 layers include a reference ferromagnetic
layer 120 having a fixed magnetic moment or magnetization direction
121 oriented transversely (into the page), a free ferromagnetic
layer 110 having a magnetic moment or magnetization direction 111
that can rotate in the plane of layer 110 in response to transverse
external magnetic fields from the disk 12, and a nonmagnetic spacer
layer 130 between the reference layer 120 and free layer 110. The
CPP MR sensor 100 may be a CPP GMR sensor, in which case the
nonmagnetic spacer layer 130 would be formed of an electrically
conducting material, typically a metal like Cu, Au or Ag.
Alternatively, the CPP MR sensor 100 may be a CPP tunneling MR
(CPP-TMR) sensor, in which case the nonmagnetic spacer layer 130
would be a tunnel barrier formed of an electrically insulating
material, like TiO.sub.2, MgO or Al.sub.2O.sub.3.
[0027] The pinned ferromagnetic layer in a CPP MR sensor may be a
single pinned layer or an antiparallel (AP) pinned structure like
that shown in FIG. 4. An AP-pinned structure has first (AP1) 122
and second (AP2) 120 ferromagnetic layers separated by a
nonmagnetic antiparallel coupling (APC) layer 123 with the
magnetization directions of the two AP-pinned ferromagnetic layers
oriented substantially antiparallel. The AP2 layer 120, which is in
contact with the nonmagnetic APC layer 120 on one side and the
sensor's electrically nonmagnetic spacer layer 130 on the other
side, is typically referred to as the reference layer. The AP1
layer 122, which is typically in contact with an antiferromagnetic
layer 124 or hard magnet pinning layer on one side and the
nonmagnetic APC layer 123 on the other side, is typically referred
to as the pinned layer. The AP-pinned structure minimizes the net
magnetostatic coupling between the reference/pinned layers and the
CPP MR free ferromagnetic layer. The AP-pinned structure is
sometimes also called a "laminated" pinned layer or a synthetic
antiferromagnet (SAF).
[0028] The pinned layer in the CPP GMR sensor in FIG. 4 is a
well-known AP-pinned structure with reference ferromagnetic layer
120 (AP2) and a lower ferromagnetic layer 122 (AP1) that are
antiferromagnetically coupled across an AP coupling (APC) layer
123. The APC layer 123 is typically Ru, Ir, Rh, Cr or alloys
thereof. The AP1 and AP2 layers, as well as the free ferromagnetic
layer 110, are typically formed of crystalline CoFe or NiFe alloys,
or a multilayer of these materials, such as a CoFe/NiFe bilayer.
The AP1 and AP2 ferromagnetic layers have their respective
magnetization directions 127, 121 oriented antiparallel. The AP1
layer 122 may have its magnetization direction pinned by being
exchange-coupled to an antiferromagnetic (AF) layer 124 as shown in
FIG. 4. The AF layer 124 is typically a Mn alloy, e.g., PtMn, NiMn,
FeMn, IrMn, PdMn, PtPdMn or RhMn. Alternatively, the AP-pinned
structure may be "self-pinned". In a "self pinned" sensor the AP1
and AP2 layer magnetization directions 127, 121 are typically set
generally perpendicular to the disk surface by magnetostriction and
the residual stress that exists within the fabricated sensor. It is
desirable that the AP1 and AP2 layers have similar moments. This
assures that the net magnetic moment of the AP-pinned structure is
small so that magnetostatic coupling to the free layer 110 is
minimized and the effective pinning field of the AF layer 124,
which is approximately inversely proportional to the net moment of
the AP-pinned structure, remains high.
[0029] A seed layer 125 may be located between the lower shield
layer S1 and the AP-pinned structure. If AF layer 124 is used, the
seed layer 125 enhances the growth of the AF layer 124. The seed
layer 125 is typically one or more layers of NiFeCr, NiFe, Ta, Cu
or Ru. A capping layer 112 is located between the free
ferromagnetic layer 110 and the upper shield layer S2. The capping
layer 112 provides corrosion protection and may be a single layer
or multiple layers of different materials, such as Ru, Ta, Ti, or a
Ru/Ta/Ru , Ru/Ti/Ru, or Cu/Ru/Ta trilayer.
[0030] In the presence of an external magnetic field in the range
of interest, i.e., magnetic fields from recorded data on the disk,
the magnetization direction 111 of free layer 110 will rotate while
the magnetization direction 121 of reference layer 120 will remain
fixed and not rotate. Thus when a sense current I.sub.S is applied
from top shield S2 perpendicularly through the sensor stack to
bottom shield S1 (or from S1 to S2), the magnetic fields from the
recorded data on the disk will cause rotation of the free-layer
magnetization 111 relative to the reference-layer magnetization
121, which is detectable as a change in electrical resistance.
[0031] A ferromagnetic biasing layer 115, such as a CoPt or CoCrPt
hard magnetic bias layer, is also typically formed outside of the
sensor stack near the side edges 102, 104 of the sensor 100. The
biasing layer 115 is electrically insulated from side edges 102,
104 of sensor 100 by insulating layer 116. An optional seed layer
114, such as a Cr alloy like CrMo or CrTi, may be deposited on the
insulating layer 116 to facilitate the growth of the biasing layer
115, particularly if the biasing layer is a CoPt or CoPtCr layer. A
capping layer 118, such as layer of Cr, or a multilayer of Ta/Cr is
deposited on top of the biasing layer 115. The upper layer of
capping layer 118, for example Cr, also serves the purpose as a
chemical-mechanical-polishing (CMP) stop layer during fabrication
of the sensor. The biasing layer 115 has a magnetization 117
generally parallel to the ABS and thus longitudinally biases the
magnetization 111 of the free layer 110. Thus in the absence of an
external magnetic field its magnetization 117 is parallel to the
magnetization 111 of the free layer 110. The ferromagnetic biasing
layer 115 may be a hard magnetic bias layer or a ferromagnetic
layer that is exchange-coupled to an antiferromagnetic layer. A
seed layer 101, such as a NiFe layer, for the shield layer S2 may
be located over the sensor 100 and capping layer 118.
[0032] In the presence of an external magnetic field in the range
of interest, i.e., magnetic fields from recorded data on the disk
12, the magnetization direction 111 of free layer 110 will rotate
while the magnetization direction 121 of reference layer 120 will
remain substantially fixed and not rotate. The rotation of the
free-layer magnetization 111 relative to the reference-layer
magnetization 121 results in a change in electrical resistance.
Hence, when a sense direct current I.sub.S is directed through the
stack of layers in sensor 100, the resistance change is detected as
a voltage signal proportional to the strength of the magnetic
signal fields from the recorded data on the disk. If I.sub.s is
greater than some critical current (I.sub.c) the spin-torque (ST)
effect can produce gyrations or fluctuations of the free layer
magnetization, resulting in substantial low-frequency magnetic
noise that reduces the sensor's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to an
undesirable level.
[0033] An alternative sensor based on a CPP-GMR or CPP-TMR sensor,
called a spin torque oscillator (STO) sensor, operates at a sense
current greater than L to take advantage of the ST-induced forces
acting on the free layer. When a fixed direct current higher than
I.sub.c is directed through this type of STO sensor, the
magnetization of the free layer precesses or oscillates by virtue
of the ST effect. The frequency of this precession (oscillation
frequency) shifts with the application of an external magnetic
field, and these frequency shifts can be used to detect changes in
the external magnetic field. Thus, STO sensors have been proposed
for use as read heads in magnetic recording disk drives to replace
conventional CPP-GMR and CPP-TMR read heads, as described for
example in US 20100328799 A1 assigned to the same assignee as this
application, and in US 20090201614 A1.
[0034] An STO sensor based on a CPP-GMR sensor can operate at very
high current densities due to its conductive spacer layer between
the reference and free layers, but has a very small output signal
as a result of its low magnetoresistance (.DELTA.R). An STO sensor
based on a CPP-TMR sensor has a significantly higher
magnetoresistance but is susceptible to dielectric breakdown of the
tunnel barrier at high current density.
[0035] The STO sensor according to the present invention uses the
positive aspects of both CPP-GMR and CPP-TMR sensors to operate at
a high current density and to provide a high output signal. FIG. 5
is a schematic of a magnetic field sensing system using a STO
sensor 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The system
is illustrated as a magnetic recording disk drive with STO sensor
200 with its ABS facing the disk 250. The sensor 200 includes a set
of individual layers and features of both a CPP-GMR sensor and a
CPP-TMR sensor as previously-described with respect to CPP sensor
100. The disk 250 has a substrate 252 and a recording layer 254
that serves as the magnetic recording medium with magnetized
regions depicted by the arrows directed toward or away from the
ABS. As the disk rotates, the magnetized regions move in the
direction of arrow 215 past the sensor 200. The recording layer 254
is depicted as a perpendicular magnetic recording medium with the
regions magnetized perpendicularly to the plane of recording layer
254, but alternatively it may be a longitudinal magnetic recording
medium with the regions being magnetized in the plane of recording
layer 254. The STO sensor 200 has a first shield layer S1 that may
serve as a substrate for the deposition of the set of layers, a
second shield layer S2, and a single free ferromagnetic layer 210
that has a substantially in-plane magnetization 211 free to
oscillate in the presence of an external magnetic field to be
sensed. The free layer 210 forms part of both a TMR structure with
tunnel barrier layer 230 and a first reference layer 220 having a
fixed in-plane magnetization 221, and a GMR structure with
nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer 270 and second reference layer
260 having a fixed in-plane magnetization 261. Each of the
reference layers 220, 260 may be a single pinned layer or the AP2
layer of an AP-pinned structure. A non-ferromagnetic conducting
metal layer 225 is located between S1 and first reference layer 220
for breaking any magnetic exchange interaction between S1 and first
reference layer 220 or other ferromagnetic layers in the sensor
stack while permitting electrical conduction. Similarly, a
non-ferromagnetic conducting metal layer 265 is located between S2
and second reference layer 260. Typical materials for layers 225,
265 are Cu, Ag, Ta and Ru. The order of the sensor layers in the
stack could be reversed from what is shown in FIG. 5, with second
reference layer 260 being deposited first on layer 265 on S1,
followed by conductive spacer layer 270, free layer 210, tunnel
barrier layer 230, first reference layer 220, and layer 225, with
S2 being located on layer 225.
[0036] The STO sensor 200 has three electrical contacts or
terminals for connection to electrical circuitry 300. Terminal 301
is electrically coupled to the first reference layer 220 via S1,
terminal 302 is electrically coupled to the second reference layer
260 via S2, and terminal 303 is electrically coupled to either the
conductive spacer layer 270 or to the free layer 210. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5 terminal 303 is connected to conductive spacer
layer 270, but may be connected to either the conductive spacer
layer 270 or the free layer 210. The terminals 301, 302, 303 are
depicted for ease of illustration in FIG. 5 as being directly
connected to their respective layers, but would likely be located
on the trailing surface of the slider, as depicted in FIG. 2 by
terminal pads 29 on trailing surface 25 of slider 22. The sensor
includes insulating material 290 in the back region recessed from
the ABS for electrically isolating S1, conductive spacer layer 270
and S2 from one another.
[0037] The circuitry connected to STO sensor 200 includes a
constant current source 310 that supplies a direct current (DC)
excitation current I.sub.e between terminals 302, 303 through the
conductive spacer layer 270, and a constant current source 320 that
supplies a direct DC sense current I.sub.s between terminals 301,
303 through the tunnel barrier layer 230. The excitation current is
greater than the critical current I.sub.c for the GMR structure and
is high enough to provide sufficient current density to cause the
magnetization 211 of the free layer 210 to oscillate at a fixed
base frequency in the absence of an external magnetic field. The
sense current I.sub.s is less than the critical current I.sub.c for
the TMR structure. A detector 350 is coupled to the circuitry for
sense current I.sub.s. The detector 350 detects shifts in the free
layer magnetization 211 oscillation frequency from the base
frequency in response to the external magnetic fields from the
magnetized regions of recording layer 254. The current source 310
may instead apply an alternating current (AC) excitation current or
an AC excitation current with a DC bias. This can allow for
frequency locking of the oscillator to a fixed driving frequency,
with associated pulling and detection of the magnetic field by
phase detection, as is known in the literature, for example
"Injection Locking and Pulling in Oscillators", B Razavi, et al,
IEEE J of Solid State Circuits 39, 1415 (2004), and U.S. Pat. No.
7,633,699).
[0038] The single free layer 210 is a common free layer shared by
the GMR and TMR structures and the three-terminal connection to the
circuitry decouples I.sub.e from I.sub.s. The higher I.sub.e for
exciting ST oscillations is passed through the conductive spacer
270 while the lower I.sub.s is passed through the tunnel barrier
layer 230 to sense the oscillation of free layer magnetization 211
generated by I.sub.e through the GMR structure. The low I.sub.s
keeps the voltage across the tunnel barrier layer 230 low to avoid
dielectric breakdown, while still taking advantage of the much
larger magnetoresistance signal of the TMR structure.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment the magnetizations 221, 261 of
the two reference layers 220, 260, respectively, should be
substantially parallel to one another to obtain the highest
critical current. In the absence of an external magnetic field the
magnetization 211 of free layer 210 should be substantially
antiparallel to the magnetizations 221, 261 of the two reference
layers 220, 260, respectively, and substantially perpendicular to
the ABS. The magnetization 211 of free layer 210 can point either
toward or away from the recording layer 254. In an alternative
embodiment, the magnetizations 221, 261 of the two reference layers
220, 260, respectively, can be substantially antiparallel. This
would lower the threshold current but can help to control the
effective field on free layer 210 through magnetostatic
interactions from the reference layers 220, 260.
[0040] The manner of connection of the excitation current source
310 to the GMR structure defines the manner in which ST is imparted
into the free layer 210. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the third
terminal 303 is connected to conductive spacer layer 270. This is
the "reflection" mode because most electrons do not flow through
the free layer 210, but rather a spin current is generated by spin
accumulation in the conductive spacer layer 270 that imparts ST to
the free layer 210. An alternative embodiment of the STO sensor 200
would be identical to FIG. 5 except that terminal 303 is connected
to the free layer 210 instead of the conductive spacer layer 270.
This is the "transmission" mode because the electrons flow into the
free layer 210 and directly impart ST to the free layer 210. The
transmission mode is more efficient in imparting ST and thus a
smaller excitation current is required than is required for
reflection mode.
[0041] As one example of a disk drive STO sensor according to the
invention operating in reflection mode, the density of the critical
current I.sub.c may be on the order of 10.sup.7-10.sup.8
A/cm.sup.2. An excitation current I.sub.e with a current density of
3-5.times.10.sup.7(transmission) or 1-5.times.10.sup.8 (reflection)
A/cm.sup.2 would cause the magnetization 211 of free layer 210 to
precess or oscillate at a resonance or base frequency of about 4-8
GHz (depending on the saturation magnetization of the ferromagnetic
material used) in the absence of an external magnetic field. The
positive and negative magnetizations in the recording layer 254 may
generate magnetic fields of 100-500 Oe at the height at which the
senor passes above the media and pass the free layer 210 at a
frequency of up to 2 GHz. This field would cause shifts in the base
frequency of oscillation of the magnetization 211 of free layer 210
of about .+-.1 GHz. The sense current I.sub.s would have a current
density of about 10.sup.7 A/cm.sup.2. The detector 350 can measure
the frequency of oscillation of the free layer magnetization by
measuring the change in electrical resistance across the tunnel
barrier layer 230. In one detection technique, the frequency
modulation (FM) signal from the free layer magnetization
oscillations is converted to a train of voltage pulses (a digital
signal) and a delay detection method is employed for the FM
detection. (K. Mizushima, et al., "Signal-to-noise ratios in
high-signal-transfer-rate read heads composed of spin-torque
oscillators", J. Appl. Phys. 107, 063904 2010).
[0042] For magnetic recording applications it is desirable to fit
the STO sensor layers into as narrow a space as possible between
the magnetic shields to achieve the highest spatial resolution of
the recorded magnetic bits in the along-the-track direction
(parallel to the direction of arrow 215 in FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, the
set of layers is in the form of a stack of layers with each layer
deposited sequentially on the substrate, e.g., S1, with tunnel
barrier layer 230 being in contact with one surface of free layer
210 and the conductive spacer layer 270 being in contact with the
opposite surface of free layer 210. FIG. 6 shows a modification of
the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the STO sensor in reflection mode but
wherein the second reference layer 260a is not in the stack but is
generally formed in the same plane as the conductive spacer layer
270a. The second reference layer 260a is shown recessed from the
ABS in FIG. 6 but alternatively it could be located to either the
side of the conductive spacer layer 270a (the cross-track
direction) and still be generally formed in the same plane as the
conductive spacer layer 270a. In either case the S1-S2
shield-to-shield spacing is reduced from the embodiment of FIG. 5.
In this reflection-mode embodiment terminal 303 makes its
connection to conductive spacer layer 270a through second reference
layer 260a and the excitation current passes through the recessed
second reference layer 260a and the conductive spacer layer
270a.
[0043] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with the STO sensor in
transmission mode but wherein both the second reference layer 260b
and the nonmagnetic conductive spacer layer 270b are not in the
stack but are both generally formed in the same plane as the free
layer 210. The second reference layer 260b and conductive spacer
layer 270b are shown recessed from the ABS in FIG. 7 but
alternatively they could be located to either the side of the free
layer 210 (the cross-track direction) and still be generally formed
in the same plane as the free layer 210. In either case the S1-S2
shield-to-shield spacing is reduced from the embodiment of FIG. 5.
In this transmission-mode embodiment the excitation current passes
through the recessed second reference layer 260b, the conductive
spacer layer 270b and the free layer 210.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment with the STO sensor in
transmission mode but wherein both the first reference layer 220a
and the tunnel barrier layer 230a are not in the stack but are both
generally formed in the same plane as the free layer 210. The first
reference layer 220a and tunnel barrier layer 230a are shown
recessed from the ABS in FIG. 8 but alternatively they could be
located to either the side of the free layer 210 (the cross-track
direction) and still be generally formed in the same plane as the
free layer 210. In either case the S1-S2 shield-to-shield spacing
is reduced from the embodiment of FIG. 5. In this transmission-mode
embodiment the excitation current passes from S1 through the
nonmagnetic spacer layer 270 and free layer 210 to S2.
[0045] Because in the present invention it is necessary that the
STO sensor 200 operates at current levels above I.sub.c to induce
the spin-torque effect in the free layer 210, the properties of the
materials used for the free layer in the CPP sensor can be chosen
to reduce or increase I.sub.c, and thus change the level of
excitation current I.sub.e that needs to be supplied. For example a
lower I.sub.c may be desirable to limit the power dissipated in
generating free layer oscillations, The use of certain types of
materials for the free layer to change the excitation current in a
STO sensor are described in application Ser. No. 12/188,183, filed
Aug. 7, 2008 and assigned to the same assignee as this
application.
[0046] The critical current is given generally by the
following:
I.sub.C=(.alpha./g)M.sub.st(H.sub.k+2.pi.M.sub.s),
where .alpha. is the damping parameter, g is a parameter that
depends on the spin-polarization of the ferromagnetic material,
M.sub.s is the saturation magnetization and t the thickness of the
free layer, and H.sub.k is the anisotropy field of the free layer.
The product M.sub.s*t is determined by the flux from the recorded
bits on the disk and is typically given in terms of equivalent
thicknesses of NiFe alloy, for example 40 .ANG. equivalent of
permalloy (.about.800 emu/cm.sup.3). Thus a free layer material
with desirable values for the parameters .alpha., M.sub.s, and
H.sub.k can be selected to change I.sub.c. For example,
Ni.sub.81Fe.sub.19 exhibits a low a of about 0.01 to 0.02, low
M.sub.s*t of about 800 emu/cm.sup.3 and low intrinsic anisotropy
field H.sub.k of about 1 Oe.
[0047] Also, high spin-polarization materials will decrease I.sub.C
significantly by increasing the value of the parameter g, which
depends on the spin-polarization of the ferromagnetic material.
Thus the free ferromagnetic layer 210 may be formed of or comprise
a ferromagnetic Heusler alloy, some of which are known to exhibit
high spin-polarization in their bulk form. Full and half Heusler
alloys are intermetallics with particular composition and crystal
structure. Examples of Heusler alloys include but are not limited
to the full Heusler alloys Co.sub.2MnX (where X is one or more of
Al, Sb, Si, Sn, Ga, or Ge), Co.sub.2FeSi, and
Co.sub.2Fe.sub.xCr.sub.(1-x)Al (where x is between 0 and 1).
Examples also include but are not limited to the half Heusler
alloys NiMnSb, and PtMnSb. A perfect Heusler alloy will have 100%
spin-polarization. However it is possible that in a thin-film form
and at finite temperatures, the band structure of the Heusler alloy
may deviate from its ideal half metal structure and that the spin
polarization will decrease. For example, some alloys may exhibit
chemical site disorder and crystallize in the B2 structure instead
of the L2.sub.1 Heusler structure. Nevertheless, the spin
polarization may exceed that of conventional ferromagnetic alloys.
Thus, as used herein a "Heusler alloy" shall mean an alloy with a
composition substantially the same as that of a known Heusler
alloy, and which results in enhanced spin polarization compared to
conventional ferromagnetic materials such as NiFe and CoFe
alloys.
[0048] Another class of materials that can be used are those with
short spin-diffusion length comparable to the thickness of a
typical free layer. Similar to materials with high
spin-polarization they are effective in scattering spins over a
short length scale and thus induce spin-torque instabilities. One
such preferred material has a composition of
(Co.sub.xFe.sub.100-x).sub.(100-y)M.sub.y, where M is an element
selected from the group consisting of Al, Ge and Si and where x is
between about 40and 60 and y is between about 20 and 40. These
materials have the advantage of reasonably high spin-polarization
and low magnetic damping, which is desirable in the sensor of this
invention to reduce I.sub.C.
[0049] As previously mentioned, while the three-terminal STO
according to the invention has been described in detail with
application as a magnetic field sensor, in particular a magnetic
recording disk drive read head, the invention has other
applications. Other applications of the three-terminal STO, all of
which would benefit from being able to use the sense current
through the tunnel barrier layer to detect the frequency or phase
of the free layer oscillation include mixers, radio, cell phones
and radar (including vehicle radar). See for example, "STO
frequency vs. magnetic field angle: The prospect of operation
beyond 65 GHz", by Bonetti et al, APL 94 102507 (2009).
[0050] Still another application is for high-frequency assisted
writing in magnetic recording, such as a magnetic recording disk
drive. In this technique, also called microwave-assisted magnetic
recording (MAMR), the STO applies a high-frequency oscillatory
magnetic field to the magnetic grains of the recording layer as a
magnetic field auxiliary to the magnetic write field from the
conventional write head. The auxiliary field may have a frequency
close to the resonance frequency of the magnetic grains in the
recording layer to facilitate the switching of the magnetization of
the grains at lower write fields from the conventional write head
than would otherwise be possible without assisted recording. In one
type of MAMR system, a two-terminal STO based on either GMR or TMR,
operates with the magnetization of the reference layer and the
magnetization of the free layer, in the absence of an excitation
current, oriented perpendicular to the planes of the layers. See
for example "Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording", by J. G. Zhu
et al., IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 44, No. 1, January
2008, pp. 125-131. Thus when the three-terminal STO according to
the invention, like that shown in FIG. 5, is used as a STO for
MAMR, the magnetizations 221, 261 of reference layers 220, 260,
respectively, would be oriented perpendicular to the planes of the
layers, and the magnetization 211 of the free layer 210, in the
absence of excitation current I.sub.e, would also be oriented
perpendicular to the plane of the layer. The sense current I.sub.s
through the tunnel barrier layer 230 is then used to monitor the
frequency of the oscillation of the free layer magnetization
211.
[0051] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosed invention is to be
considered merely as illustrative and limited in scope only as
specified in the appended claims.
* * * * *