Patent ID: 6315839
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a keeper layer for a spin valve sensor wherein the spin valve sensor includes a first spacer layer between a free layer and a pinned layer and a second spacer layer between the free layer and the keeper layer so that a demagnetization field from the keeper layer opposes a demagnetization field from the pinned layer and so that when a sense current field is conducted through the sensor a sense current field from the keeper layer opposes a sense current field from the pinned layer, the method comprising:sputter depositing a CoFeNbHf keeper layer on the second spacer layer in the presence of a first magnetic field that is in a first direction; andfirst annealing the CoFeNbHf keeper layer in the presence of a second field that is in a second direction.