Patent ID: 6882509
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: B82Y,G01R,G11B,H01F,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a spin valve giant magnetoresostive (SVGMR) sensor element comprising: forming a seed layer over a substrate, the seed layer being formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel chromium alloys, nickel-chromium-copper alloys and nickel-iron-chromium alloys; forming a metal oxide buffer layer over the seed layer, said metal oxide buffer layer being comprised of alpha-Fe forming a free ferromagnetic layer over said metal oxide buffer layer, wherein said free ferromagnetic layer and said metal oxide buffer layer have the same crystal structure and said free ferromagnetic layer and said metal oxide buffer layer have about the same lattice constants; forming a non-magnetic conductor spacer layer over said free ferromagnetic layer; forming a pinned ferromagnetic layer over the non-magnetic conductor spacer layer; and forming a pinning material layer over the pinned ferromagnetic layer; and forming a capping layer over said pinning material layer.