Patent ID: 6162305
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a thin film magnetic read head with short protection insulation material between lead layers and a second shield layer comprising:forming a ferromagnetic first shield layer;forming a nonmagnetic, electrically insulative first gap layer on the first shield layer;forming a ferromagnetic sensor layer on the first gap layer;forming a first oxidizable metallic layer on the sensor layer;forming the sensor layer and said first oxidizable metallic layer thereon with first and second side edges;forming first and second electrically conductive lead layers with each lead layer having a first end edge abutting a respective side edge to form a contiguous junction therewith;forming a second oxidizable metallic layer on each of the first and second lead layers;the first and second oxidizable metallic layers being of different materials so that the second oxidizable metallic layer oxidizes at a faster rate than the first oxidizable metallic layer;oxidizing the oxidizable metallic layers;terminating said oxidizing of the oxidizable metallic layers before the first oxidizable metallic layer is oxidized throughout its thickness;after oxidizing the oxidizable metallic layers, forming a nonmagnetic, electrically insulative second gap layer on the oxidizable metallic layers; andforming a ferromagnetic second shield layer on the second gap layer,whereby, after oxidation, the second oxidizable metallic layer and the second gap layer provide insulation between each of the first and second lead layers and the second shield layer.