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MAGNETIC READ HEAD WITH REDUCED SHUNTING

  • US 20070297090A1
  • Filed: 06/21/2006
  • Published: 12/27/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for manufacturing a magnetic read head, the method comprising:

  • providing the magnetic read head comprising a pinning layer disposed over a substrate of the magnetic read head, a pinned layer disposed over the pinning layer, a reference layer disposed over the pinned layer, a tunneling barrier layer disposed over the reference layer, and a free layer disposed over the tunneling barrier layer, wherein the free layer is in contact with the tunneling barrier layer;

    milling partially through the free layer from a back surface opposite an air bearing surface of the magnetic read head, thereby creating an exposed face of the free layer which is coplanar with the substrate;

    oxidizing a portion of the free layer between the exposed face and the tunneling barrier layer; and

    milling through the free layer, tunneling barrier layer, reference layer, pinned layer, and pinning layer along lateral sides of the magnetic read head, wherein the lateral sides are perpendicular with respect to the back surface and wherein the lateral sides of the magnetic read head do not have a face of the free layer coplanar with the substrate which is oxidized.

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