Patent ID: 8316527

Claim:
A method for providing at least one magnetoresistive device, the magnetoresistive device being formed from a plurality of magnetoresistive element layers, the method comprising: providing a mask, the mask covering a first portion of the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers in at least one device area; defining at least one magnetoresistive element from the plurality of magnetoresistive element layers using the mask; depositing at least one hard bias layer; providing a hard bias capping structure on the at least one hard bias layer, the hard bias capping structure including a first protective layer, a second protective layer, and a planarization stop layer, the first protective layer residing between the planarization stop layer and the at least one hard bias layer, the planarization stop layer residing between the first protective layer and the second protective layer; and performing a planarization, the planarization stop layer being configured for the planarization.