Patent ID: 6496333
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A dual-stripe magnetoresistive (DSMR) sensor element comprising:a substrate; a patterned first magnetoresistive (MR) layer formed over the substrate; a patterned inter-stripe dielectric layer formed upon the patterned first magnetoresistive (MR) layer; and a patterned second magnetoresistive (MR) layer formed upon the patterned inter-stripe dielectric layer, where the patterned first magnetoresistive (MR) layer, the patterned inter-stripe dielectric layer and the patterned second magnetoresistive (MR) layer are areally co-extensive and thus all edges of the patterned first magnetoresistive (MR) layer, the patterned inter-stripe dielectric layer and the patterned second magnetoresistive (MR) layer are fully aligned, and where at least one of the patterned first magnetoresistive (MR) layer, the patterned inter-stripe dielectric layer and the patterned second magnetoresistive (MR) layer is non-planar.