An antiferromagnetic stabilization scheme is employed in a magnetic head for
magnetically
stabilizing a free layer of a spin valve. This is accomplished by utilizing an
antiferromagnetic oxide film below a spin valve sensor in a read region and first
and second lead layers in end regions and a ferromagnetic film in each of the lead
layers that exchange couples to the antiferromagnetic oxide film in the end regions.
The ferromagnetic films are pinned with their magnetic moments oriented parallel
to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head. The ferromagnetic films magnetostatically
couple to the free layer which causes the free layer to be in a single magnetic
domain state. Accordingly, when the free layer is subjected to magnetic incursions
from a rotating disk in a disk drive, the free layer maintains a stable magnetic
condition so that resistance changes of the free layer are not altered by differing
magnetic conditions of the free layer.
