Patent ID: 7582218

Claim:
A method for merging sensor field-mill and electronic lapping guide material placement for a partial mill process, comprising: forming a full film sensor over a shield and shield refill material; milling the sensor on a first side and a second side; depositing sensor refill material on the first and second sides of the sensor; and depositing an electronic lapping guide material over the sensor refill material until the electronic lapping guide material is substantially coplanar with the sensor; depositing photoresist over sensor material at a desired sensor location and over a the electronic lapping guide material at a desired electronic lapping guide material location to mask the desired sensor and electronic lapping guide material location; partially milling the sensor and the electronic lapping guide material not masked by the photoresist to form an electronic lapping guide and sensor with predetermined dimensions; depositing a mill refill material in the partially milled area and over the photoresist to planarize the sensor, the deposited refill material and the electronic lapping guide material; and removing the photoresist to expose the coplanar electronic lapping guide and the sensor.