Methods of making a read sensor with use of a barrier structure for depositing materials
US7070697B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49052
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In one illustrative example, a method of making a read sensor of a magnetic head involves forming a barrier structure which surrounds a central mask formed over a plurality of read sensor layers; etching the read sensor layers to form the read sensor below the mask; and depositing, with use of the mask and the barrier structure, hard bias and lead layers to form around the read sensor. The barrier structure may be formed by, for example, depositing one or more barrier structure layers over the read sensor layers and performing a photolithography process. The barrier structure physically blocks materials being deposited at relatively low angles (e.g. angles at or below 71 degrees) so as to reduce their formation far underneath the mask (e.g. when using a bridged mask), which could otherwise form an electrical short, and/or to improve the symmetry of the deposited materials around the read sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.