Patent ID: 8343319
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a magnetic transducer comprising: defining a magnetoresistive sensor in a track width direction; providing at least one hard bias material, a first portion of the at least one hard bias material being substantially adjacent to the magnetoresistive sensor in the track width direction; providing at least one sacrificial capping layer on a second portion of the at least one hard bias material, the at least one sacrificial capping layer having a first height in a stripe height direction substantially perpendicular to the track width direction, the sacrificial capping layer including an insulating layer, the at least one sacrificial capping layer adjoining the at least one hard bias material; providing a mask for defining a stripe height of the magnetoresistive sensor in the stripe height direction, the mask covering at least a portion of the magnetoresistive sensor, the mask having a second height in the stripe height direction, the second height being less than the first height; and defining the stripe height of the magnetoresistive sensor while the mask covers the at least the portion of the magnetoresistive sensor, the at least one sacrificial capping layer being configured to prevent removal of the second portion of the at least one hard bias material during the step of defining the stripe height.