Abstract: A method is provided for resetting the magnetization of the pinned and hard biasing layers of a spin valve read head at the row level. In a first embodiment of the invention a first magnetic field is applied substantially perpendicular to the air bearing surface (ABS) at room temperature for setting the magnetic moment of the pinned layer substantially perpendicular to the ABS followed by applying a second magnetic field substantially parallel to the ABS for setting the magnetic moments of the hard biasing layers substantially parallel to the ABS. In a second embodiment of the invention the antiferromagnetic pinning layer is also reset. This is done by heating the pinning layer with a current pulse conducted through the leads to the conductive layers of the spin valve head so that localized heating takes place adjacent the pinning layer as contrasted to ambient heating of the spin valve head.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying an overcoat to a slider and sensitive elements of a magnetic head which has improved coverage, reduced spacing loss and improved corrosion resistance. After lapping, an overcoat material is sputter deposited on the air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider, followed by a step of sputter etching the overcoat. The sputter etching redeposits material from high points on the slider and fills in trenches formed during the lapping process. The redeposition of the overcoat from the high places to the low places of the slider decreases the overall thickness of the overcoat, thereby decreasing spacing loss. The filling of the trenches implements increased coverage which increases wear resistance of the slider and more adequately protects the sensitive elements of the magnetic head from corrosion. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the overcoat is left on the high places to ensure that the sputter etching does not damage the sensitive elements of the magnetic head.