Patent ID: 7099125

Claim:
A process for manufacturing a magnetic read head structure, comprising: providing a bottom spin valve structure having a topmost layer that is a free layer having an upper surface; on said free layer, depositing an exchange coupling layer; on said exchange coupling layer, depositing a ferromagnetic layer; on said ferromagnetic layer, depositing an antiferromagnetic layer; on said antiferromagnetic layer, depositing a conducting lead layer; patterning and etching the structure down to a depth that is sufficient to penetrate said antiferromagnetic layer, thereby forming a gap that defines a read width for the structure; oxidizing all of said antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic layers that are within said gap, thereby providing for specular reflection of conduction electrons at said free layer and exchange coupling layer interface, providing an oxygen diffusion barrier, effecting improved spin filtering, and providing a protective layer for said free layer; and heating the structure in a magnetic field whereby said ferromagnetic layer becomes permanently biased in a longitudinal direction by exchange coupling with said antiferromagnetic layer and said free layer outside of said gap becomes permanently biased in a longitudinal direction by exchange coupling with said ferromagnetic layer through said exchange coupling layer.