Patent ID: 8914970
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for making a tunneling magnetoresistive sensor comprising: providing a substrate; depositing a first ferromagnetic layer on the substrate, a MgO spacer layer on the first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer on the MgO spacer layer and a nonmagnetic capping layer on the second ferromagnetic layer; patterning a layer of photoresist on the capping layer, the patterned photoresist having a back edge; reactive ion etching (RIE) the second ferromagnetic layer in methanol to define a back edge for the second ferromagnetic layer; and terminating said RIE at the MgO spacer layer, leaving the MgO spacer layer and underlying first ferromagnetic layer extending beyond the back edge of the second ferromagnetic layer.