Patent ID: 9196270
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: G11B,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for providing at least one magnetoresistive device comprising; depositing a plurality of magnetoresistive element layers, the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers covering at least one device area and at least one field area; providing a single layer mask, the single layer mask covering a first portion of the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers in the at least one device area and exposing a second portion of the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers in the at least one field area, the single layer mask covering not more than substantially ten percent of the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers, the single layer mask having a bottom surface and a top surface not substantially wider than the bottom surface such that the single layer mask is substantially free of an undercut, the bottom surface being closer to the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers than the top surface; defining at least one magnetoresistive element using only the single layer mask to cover a third portion of the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers used to form the at least one magnetoresistive element, thereby removing the second portion of the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers exposed by the single layer mask; depositing a hard bias layer on the at least one device area and the at least one field area after the defining of the at least one magnetic element; and performing a planarization after the hard bias layer is deposited.