Patent ID: 7074456
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for manufacturing a bottom spin valve structure, including a free layer, comprising: providing a lower primary magnetic shield on which is a first dielectric layer; on the first dielectric layer, depositing a layer of high permeability ferromagnetic material, said material having an electrical resistivity greater than about 125 micro-ohm-cm and a thickness such that the product of its moment and thickness is 2 to 5 times that of the free layer, thereby forming a thin film shield; on the thin film shield, depositing a layer of material for use as a decoupling layer; on the decoupling layer, depositing a layer of an anti-ferromagnetic material for use as a pinning layer in said spin valve; on the anti-ferromagnetic layer, depositing a layer of magnetic material for use as a pinned layer in said spin valve; on the pinned layer, depositing a layer of non-magnetic material; on said non-magnetic layer, depositing a layer of magnetic material for use as the free layer in said spin valve, thereby completing formation of the bottom spin valve; patterning and etching the structure to form therein a shallow trench that extends part way through the free layer, said trench having a sidewall that slopes; on the free layer outside the trench, depositing a capping layer selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide, and alumina; on the free layer inside the trench, depositing a layer of material that is the same as that used to from the free layer on the free layer inside the trench, selectively depositing a layer of a ferromagnetic material for use as an exchange magnet for providing longitudinal bias to the structure; on the exchange magnet layer, selectively depositing a layer of conductive material suitable for use in connecting leads to the structure; on the conducting lead layer, depositing a second dielectric layer; and on the second dielectric layer, depositing an upper primary magnetic shield.