Claims
- 1. A read/write head for use in a disc drive, the read/write head comprising:
a first magnetoresistive read element; and a second magnetoresistive read element, dimensioned in proportion to the first magnetoresistive read element and positioned in proximity to the first magnetoresistive read element.
- 2. The read/write head of claim 1, wherein the second magnetoresistive read element is the same size as the first magnetoresistive read element.
- 3. The read/write head of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetoresistive read elements each possess a top edge, and wherein the top edges of the first and second magnetoresistive read elements are collinear.
- 4. The read/write head of claim 1, wherein the first magnetoresistive read element is interposed between a first pair of conductors, and wherein the second magnetoresistive read element is interposed between a second pair of conductors, the first and second pairs of conductors being dimensioned so as to have approximately identical impedances.
- 5. The read/write head of claim 4, wherein the first pair of conductors comprises a first conductor and a second conductor, and wherein the second pair of conductors comprises the second conductor and a third conductor.
- 6. The read/write head of claim 4, further comprising a third pair of conductors, the third pair of conductors being in electrical contact with each other and being dimensioned to as to have approximately identical impedances as the first and second pairs of conductors.
- 7. The read/write head of claim 6, wherein the first pair of conductors comprises a first conductor and a second conductor, and wherein the third pair of conductors comprises the second conductor and a third conductor.
- 8. The read/write head of claim 1, further comprising:
a first magnetic shield; and a second magnetic shield, wherein the the first and second magnetoresistive elements are oriented between the first and second magnetic shields.
- 9. The read/write head of claim 1, further comprising:
a magnetoresistive shield, wherein the the first and second magnetoresistive elements are disposed upon the magnetoresistive shield.
- 10. A method of determining a proper amount of lapping for creation of a read/write head containing a primary magnetoresistive read element with a desired stripe height, the method comprising:
(i) grounding the primary magnetoresistive read element; (ii) passing a test signal through a secondary magnetoresistive read element that is located on the read/write head; (iii) lapping the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements; and (iv) continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal exhibits a desired characteristic.
- 11. The method of claim 10, wherein:
step (ii) comprises passing a signal of known voltage through the secondary read element; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal is reduced to a desired level of electrical current.
- 12. The method of claim 10, wherein:
step (ii) comprises passing a signal of known electrical current through the secondary read element; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal is reaches a desired voltage level.
- 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
exposing the secondary magnetoresistive read element to a dynamic magnetic field; wherein step (ii) comprises passing a signal of known electrical current through the secondary read element; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal is reaches a desired voltage level.
- 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
exposing the secondary magnetoresistive read element to a dynamic magnetic field; wherein step (ii) comprises passing a signal of known voltage through the secondary read element; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal is reduced to a desired level of electrical current.
- 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
exposing the secondary magnetoresistive read element to a dynamic magnetic field; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal exhibits a voltage profile with no direct current offset.
- 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
exposing the secondary magnetoresistive read element to a dynamic magnetic field; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the test signal exhibits a electrical current profile with no direct current offset.
- 17. The method of claim 10, wherein:
step (ii) comprises passing a signal of constant voltage through the secondary magnetoresistive read element; and step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until a thermal asperity is sensed by detecting the test signal dropping below a threshold electrical current level.
- 18. The method of claim 10, wherein:
step (ii) comprises passing a signal of constant current through the secondary magnetoresistive read element; and step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until a thermal asperity is sensed by detecting the test signal rising above a threshold voltage level.
- 19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
passing an electrical current through a first pair of conductors having an impedance equal to that of a second pair of conductors between which the primary magnetoresistive read element is interposed, thereby producing a voltage across the first pair of conductors; wherein step (ii) comprises passing a signal of known electrical current through the secondary magnetoresistive read element, thereby producing a voltage across the secondary magnetoresistive read element; and wherein step (iv) comprises continuing to lap the primary and secondary magnetoresistive read elements until the difference between the voltage across the secondary magnetoresistive read element and the voltage across the first pair of conductors exceeds a desired level.
- 20. A read/write head for use in a disc drive, the read/write head comprising:
a first magnetoresistive read element having electrical properties; and a means for determining by proxy the electrical properties of the first magnetoresistive read element.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/207,465 filed May 25, 2000 and entitled “IMPROVED LAPPING SENSOR FOR RECORDING HEADS.”
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60207465 |
May 2000 |
US |