Patent ID: 7234228

Claim:
A method for forming a bottom spin valve sensor element with a novel seed layer and synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer comprising: providing a substrate; forming an NiCr seed layer on the substrate, wherein the atomic percentage of Cr in said seed layer is approximately 31%; forming an antiferromagnetic pinning layer on said NiCr seed layer; forming the synthetic antiferromagnetic (SyAF) pinned layer on said antiferromagnetic pinning layer; forming a non-magnetic spacer layer on said SyAF pinned layer; treating a surface of said non-magnetic spacer layer not contacting said SyAF pinned layer to form an oxygen surfactant layer (OSL); forming a ferromagnetic free layer on the OSL of said treated non-magnetic spacer layer; forming a capping layer on said ferromagnetic free layer; magnetizing said bottom spin valve sensor element.