Patent ID: 6792670
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: B82Y,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive device substructure used for manufacturing a magnetoresistive device incorporating: a magnetoresistive element; and a patterned soft magnetic layer covering the magnetoresistive element and having at least one of functions of introducing a signal magnetic flux to the magnetoresistive element and inducing a bias magnetic field thereto, the method comprising the steps of:forming the magnetoresistive element and an indicator having a shape similar to the magnetoresistive element and located in a specific position with respect to the magnetoresistive element; forming an unpatterned soft magnetic layer on the magnetoresistive element; forming a mask on the unpatterned soft magnetic layer that is used to pattern the unpatterned soft magnetic layer; and forming the patterned soft magnetic layer by selectively etching the unpatterned soft magnetic layer through the use of the mask, wherein the mask is formed by aligning with respect to the specific position of the indicator while observing the indicator, so that the mask is located above the magnetoresistive element and not above the indicator, in the step of forming the mask.