Patent ID: 8796152
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: G01R,G11B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor, the method comprising: depositing a series of sensor layers; depositing a series of mask layers over the series of sensor layers, the series of mask layers including an under-layer, a Si containing hard mask layer deposited over the under-layer and a photoresist layer deposited over the Si containing hard mask; photolithographically patterning the photoresist layer to form a photoresist mask; performing a first reactive ion etching to transfer the image of the photoresist mask onto the Si containing hard mask layer to form a patterned hard mask, the first reactive ion etching being performed in a chemistry that includes CF performing a second reactive ion etching to transfer the image of the patterned hard mask onto the under-layer to form a patterned under-layer; and then performing an ion milling to remove portions of the series of sensor layers that are not protected by the patterned under-layer.