Patent ID: 6407004
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: B82Y,C23F,G11B,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a thin film device including patterning a pair of lead electrodes on a magnetoresistive element portion and on a permanent magnetic domain control layer at both end portions of a magnetoresistive element, of the magnetoresistive element portion, in a direction of track width on a lower shield layer and a first gap film both formed on a substrate, with the pair of lead electrodes to be electrically connected in series to the magnetoresistive element, wherein patterning the pair of lead electrodes comprises:depositing a film of Ru or RuO2, which film is to serve as the pair of lead electrodes; forming an etching mask pattern on said film of Ru or RuO2; and then performing dry etching of said film of Ru or RuO2 with plasma of a gas containing at least oxygen.