Patent ID: 7630176

Claim:
A symmetric dual spin valve sensor element with a novel seed layer and synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layers comprising: a substrate; a NiCr seed layer formed on the substrate, the atomic percentage of Cr in said seed layer being approximately 31%; a first antiferromagnetic pinning layer formed on said seed layer; a first synthetic antiferromagnetic (SyAF) pinned layer formed on said first antiferromagnetic pinning layer; a first non-magnetic spacer layer formed on said SyAF layer, the surface of said spacer layer not contacting said SyAF layer being treated to form an oxygen surfactant layer (OSL); a ferromagnetic free layer formed on the OSL of said treated spacer layer; a second non-magnetic spacer layer formed on said ferromagnetic free layer, the surface of said spacer layer not contacting said free layer being treated to form an oxygen surfactant layer (OSL); a second synthetic antiferromagnetic (SyAF) pinned layer formed on the OSL of said second non-magnetic spacer layer; a second antiferromagnetic pinning layer formed on said second SyAF layer; a capping layer formed on said second antiferromagnetic pinning layer.