Patent ID: 7174622

Claim:
A method of fabrication of a slider, said slider having a magneto-resistive transducer including a stack of layers, comprising the steps of: A) forming a first ferromagnetic layer having a proximal end proximal to an air bearing surface of the slider; B) forming a non-magnetic metal layer on said first ferromagnetic layer, said non-magnetic metal layer having a proximal end proximal to the air bearing surface of the slider; C) forming a second ferromagnetic layer on said non-magnetic metal layer, said second ferromagnetic layer having a proximal end proximal to the air bearing surface of the slider; D) forming an antiferromagnetic layer on said second ferromagnetic layer, said antiferromagnetic layer having a proximal end proximal to the air bearing surface of the slider; E) recessing said proximal end of said non-magnetic metal layer from the air bearing surface of the slider to form at least one recessed area; F) applying a layer of protective material to said proximal ends at the air-bearing surface of the slider of said first ferromagnetic layer, said second ferromagnetic layer, and said antiferromagnetic layer; and G) filling said at least one recessed area with protective material to a depth such that at least a portion of the protective material will remain in the recessed area when said proximal ends of said first ferromagnetic layer, said second ferromagnetic layer, and said antiferromagnetic layer are drive burnished.