Patent ID: 6873501
Filing Date: 2005-03-29
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
1. A process to manufacture a CPP GMR read head structure, comprising: (a) providing a lower magnetic shield, formed of conductive material, and depositing thereon a bottom antiferromagnetic layer; (b) depositing a free layer on said bottom antiferromagnetic layer; (c) depositing a copper spacer layer and, on said spacer layer, depositing a ferromagnetic layer which is then magnetized in a first direction whereby it becomes an AP1 layer; (d) depositing an antiferromagnetic coupling layer on AP1 and, on said antiferromagnetic coupling layer, depositing a ferromagnetic layer which is then magnetized in a second direction that is antiparallel to said first direction, whereby it becomes an AP2 layer; (e) depositing a top antiferromagnetic layer on said AP2 layer and then a conductive layer on said top antiferromagnetic layer; performing steps (a) through (e) during a single pumpdown, thereby forming a CPP structure; then, by means of ion milling in the presence of a photoresist mask, patterning said CPP structure to form a pillar whose shape and location define a spin valve stack; with said photoresist mask still in place, depositing, in succession, a ferromagnetic bias layer, an edge antiferromagnetic layer, and an insulating layer; then lifting off said photoresist mask thereby exposing said conductive layer; and then depositing on the structure an upper magnetic shield.