Patent ID: 6929959
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor having a multilayer film exhibiting a magnetoresistance effect, a lower electrode layer provided at a lower side of the multilayer film, and an upper electrode layer provided at an upper side of the multilayer film, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming the multilayer film at an upper side of the lower electrode layer; (b) forming first gap layers, having a predetermined gap provided therebetween in a track width direction, on an upper surface of the multilayer film; (c) milling the two sides of the multilayer film and the first gap layers in the track width direction so as to enable the multilayer film and the first gap layers to have predetermined shapes; and (d) forming the upper electrode layer on the first gap layers and in the predetermined gap, wherein, in said step (c), a mask layer having a predetermined width dimension in the track width direction is provided on the first gap layers and in the gap, parts of the first gap layers and the multilayer film in the track width direction, which are not overlapped with the mask layer, are milled, and the mask layer is then removed, and wherein said step (b) is performed using the same mask layer as in said step (c).