Patent ID: 6655006
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a magnetic read head which has an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising the steps of:making a tunnel junction sensor including the steps of: forming a ferromagnetic pinned layer structure with a magnetic moment; forming an antiferromagnetic pinning layer exchange coupled to the pinned layer structure for pinning the magnetic moment of the pinned layer structure; forming a ferromagnetic free layer structure with a magnetic moment; forming a nonmagnetic electrically insulative baffler layer between the free layer structure and the pinned layer structure; and forming at least one of the pinned layer structure or the free layer structure with a first oxidized monolayer that interfaces the barrier layer; the step of forming the barrier layer including the steps of: forming at least a first portion of the baffler layer in an unoxidized state; forming said at least said first portion of the baffler layer with a second oxidized monolayer; forming at least a second portion of the barrier layer in an unoxidized state on said second oxidized monolayer of said at least said first portion of the barrier layer; and oxidizing said at least first and second portions of the barrier layer.