Patent ID: 7150093

Claim:
A method of simultaneously initializing the antiferromagnetic layers in a spin valve sensor which has a free layer, two bias tabs for stabilization of said free layer, each of said bias tabs being comprised of a nonmagnetic layer, a ferromagnetic layer antiparallel coupled to a portion of said free layer, and a first antiferromagnetic layer adjacent to said ferromagnetic layer, said sensor additionally comprising a pinned layer exchange coupled to a second antiferromagnetic layer, comprising: placing the sensor in an external magnetic field; adjusting a magnitude of said external magnetic field to cause the magnetization of said ferromagnetic layer in said bias tabs to be substantially perpendicular to the direction of said external magnetic field; heating the sensor above the blocking temperature of both of the antiferromagnetic layers; and, cooling the sensor below the blocking temperature of both of the antiferromagnetic layers in the presence of said external magnetic field.