Patent ID: 7394625

Claim:
A bottom spin valve (BSV) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor of the spin filter spin-valve (SFSV) type having an in-situ naturally oxidized specularly reflecting layer, a high-conductance layer, a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SyAF) pinned layer and a laminated ferromagnetic free layer comprising: a substrate; a bottom spin valve stack of the SFSV type formed on the substrate, said stack further comprising: a buffer layer; an antiferromagnetic pinning layer formed on said buffer layer; a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SyAF) pinned layer formed on said pinning layer; a spacer layer formed on said SyAF pinned layer; an oxygen surfactant layer formed on said spacer layer; a laminated free layer of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials formed on said oxygen surfactant layer; a high-conductance layer (HCL) formed on said free layer; a specularly reflecting layer formed, in-situ, as a naturally oxidized layer (NOL) formed on said HCL; a capping layer formed on said NOL, the surface of said capping layer distal from said NOL being oxidized; and said pinned layer being magnetized in a direction transverse to an air bearing surface plane of said sensor.