Patent ID: 7587809

Claim:
A method of forming a magnetoresistive reader with planar top shield topography and low parasitic resistance, the method comprising: defining a stripe height back edge of a magnetoresistive sensor of the magnetoresistive reader, wherein defining the stripe height back edge of the magnetoresistive sensor comprises: depositing a plurality of magnetoresistive sensor layers; selectively patterning a first photoresist layer on the magnetoresistive sensor layers, the first photoresist layer leaving exposed a first region of the magnetoresistive sensor layers; and removing the exposed first region of the magnetoresistive sensor layers; and subsequently defining a reader width of the magnetoresistive sensor, wherein defining the reader width of the magnetoresistive sensor comprises: selectively patterning a second photoresist layer on the magnetoresistive sensor layers, the second photoresist layer leaving exposed a second region of the magnetoresistive sensor layers; and removing the exposed second region of the magnetoresistive sensor layers.