Patent ID: 6770382
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A spin valve giant magnetoresistance (SVGMR) sensor comprising:a seed layer over a substrate, said seed layer formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel chromium alloys, nickel -chromium-copper alloys and nickel-iron-chromium alloys; a metal oxide buffer layer over the seed layer; said metal oxide buffer layer is comprised of alphaâ€”Fe2O3 and has a thickness of between about 5 to 15 Ã¥; a free ferromagnetic layer over said metal oxide buffer layer; said metal oxide buffer layer and said free ferromagnetic layer have about the same crystal lattice constants; and said metal oxide buffer layer and said free ferromagnetic layer have the same crystal structure; a non-magnetic conductor spacer layer over said free ferromagnetic layer; a pinned ferromagnetic layer over the non-magnetic conductor spacer layer; and a pinning material layer over the pinned ferromagnetic layer; and a capping layer over said pinning material layer.