Patent ID: 7297470
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method for fabricating a magnetic head, comprising: forming a wafer having a sensor film; adding an etch-stop layer to the wafer above the sensor film; adding a release layer to the wafer above the etch-stop layer, the release layer being soluble in a solvent; forming a layer of photoresist above the release layer; processing the layer of photoresist to define a pattern, the patterned layer of photoresist defining covered and uncovered regions of the layers under the patterned layer of photoresist, the covered regions being located under the patterned layer of photoresist; etching to substantially remove the uncovered regions of the release layer and the etch-stop layer; milling to substantially remove the uncovered regions of the sensor film; adding a layer of metal to the wafer; baking the wafer at a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the photoresist for a period of time sufficient to cause deformation of the photoresist to an extent that the photoresist creates cracks in the metal layer; applying a solvent to the wafer to dissolve the release layer, the solvent penetrating the cracks in the metal layer to reach the release layer; and removing the release layer and any portions of the layers above the release layer.