Patent ID: 7313856
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of making a spin valve (SV) sensor having first and second passive regions and a central track width region transversely disposed between said first and second passive regions, the method comprising the steps of: depositing sequentially a pinned layer, a spacer layer and a free layer; depositing ferromagnetic material to form a ferromagnetic bias layer antiparallel coupled to the free layer by an antiparallel coupling layer sandwiched between the free layer and the bias layer; depositing an antiferromagnetic material to form an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer adjacent to said ferromagnetic bias layer, said AFM layer exchange coupled to the ferromagnetic bias layer to provide a pinning field to the bias layer; depositing a cap layer over the AFM layer; depositing first and second lead layers over the cap layer, said first and second lead layers overlapping the first and second passive regions, respectively, central wherein the track width region between the first and second passive regions is defined by a space between the first and second lead layers; removing the cap layer in the central track width region between the first and second lead layers; converting the antiferromagnetic material of the AFM layer and the ferromagnetic material of the central bias layer in the ferromagnetic track width region into a nonmagnetic oxide layer; and setting the AFM layer so that the pinning field to the ferromagnetic bias layer is directed in a predetermined direction.