Patent ID: 7367110
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for fabricating a read head of a magnetic disk drive, the method comprising: A) depositing a first shield layer to begin a wafer stack; B) depositing a dielectric layer on said first shield layer; C) depositing a first seed layer on said dielectric layer; D) depositing an AFM layer on said first seed layer; E) depositing at least one pinned layer on said AFM layer; F) depositing a spacer layer on said at least one pinned layer; G) depositing a free layer on said spacer layer; H) depositing a cap layer on said free layer to complete said wafer stack; I) depositing a mask layer on said cap layer to mask a portion of said wafer stack; and J) partially milling said wafer stack with a milling source to remove material from wafer stack layers to within a partial milling range which extends to a partial milling depth having a depth endpoint to form a shaped junction, where said partial milling depth extends at least through said free magnetic layer, but stops short of milling completely through said first seed layer.