Spin valve read head with plasma produced metal oxide insulation layer between lead and shield layers and method of making

A magnetic head with an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising:

• a read head, including:
• a sensor layer, first and second lead layers, first and second nonmagnetic gap layers and first and second ferromagnetic shield layers;
• the first and second lead layers being connected to the sensor layer;
• a first metal oxide cover layer on the sensor layer;
• a second metal oxide cover layer on each of the first and second lead layers;
• the sensor layer, the first and second lead layers and the first and second metal oxide cover layers being located between the first and second gap layers and the first and second gap layers being located between the first and second shield layers;
• and
• the second metal oxide cover layer comprising a metal that oxidizes more quickly than a metal of the first metal oxide cover layer;
• a write head including:
• at least one coil layer and an insulation stack;
• the coil layer being embedded in the insulation stack;
• first and second pole pieces connected at a back gap and having pole tips with edges forming a portion of the ABS;
• the insulation stack being sandwiched between the first and second pole pieces;
• and
• a write gap layer sandwiched between the pole tips of the first and second pole pieces and forming a portion of the ABS.

A magnetic disk drive comprising:

• a read head including:
• a sensor layer, first and second lead layers, first and second nonmagnetic gap layers and first and second ferromagnetic shield layers;
• the first and second lead layers being connected to the sensor layer;
• a first metal oxide cover layer on the sensor layer;
• a second metal oxide cover layer on each of the first and second lead layers;
• the sensor layer, the first and second lead layers and the first and second metal oxide cover layers being located between the first and second gap layers and the first and second gap layers being located between the first and second shield layers;
• and
• the second metal oxide cover layer comprising a metal that oxidizes more quickly than a metal of the first metal oxide cover layer;
• a write head including:
• at least one coil layer and an insulation stack;
• the coil layer being embedded in the insulation stack;
• first and second pole pieces connected at a back gap and having pole tips with edges forming a portion of an air bearing surface (ABS);
• the insulation stack being sandwiched between the first and second pole pieces;
• and
• a write gap layer sandwiched between the pole tips of the first and second pole pieces and forming a portion of the ABS;
• the write head and the read head being adjacent one another to form a combined magnetic head;
• a frame;
• a magnetic disk rotatably supported on the frame;
• a support mounted on the frame for supporting the head in a transducing relationship with the magnetic disk;
• means for rotating the magnetic disk;
• positioning means connected to the support for moving the combined magnetic head to multiple positions with respect to said magnetic disk;
• and
• means connected to the combined magnetic head, to the means for rotating the magnetic disk and to the positioning means for exchanging signals with the combined magnetic head, for controlling movement of the magnetic disk and for controlling the position of the combined magnetic head.