Patent ID: 7978442

Claim:
A magnetic sensor structure comprised of a pinned layer, free layer, and a confining current path (CCP) spacer formed between the pinned and free layers wherein the CCP spacer comprises: (a) a first copper layer formed on the pinned layer; (b) a spacer formed between the first copper layer and a second copper layer, comprising: (1) a first metal oxide template comprised of an oxide of Hf, Zr, CoFeB, Ta, Nb, Ti, or B or another amorphous metal or amorphous alloy, wherein the at-least one first metal oxide template has segregated Cu metal paths formed therein; and (2) at least a second metal oxide template which forms an interface with the first metal oxide template and is comprised of an oxide of a metal or metal alloy with segregated Cu metal paths formed therein; and (c) the second copper layer formed on a top surface of the first metal oxide template or the at least second metal oxide template, said second copper layer contacts said free layer.