| abstract |
A method for fabricating a transducer on a substrate is described. The transducer includes an antiferromagnetic seed structure. The antiferromagnetic seed structure includes a first NiFe layer, a first multilayer including a first Ru layer, a second NiFe layer, and a second multilayer including a second Ru layer. The second multilayer, the second NiFe layer and part of the first Ru layer are removed using a first wet etch, which uses a first etchant combination to remove NiFe and in which Ru is insoluble. The second Ru layer is removed through lift-off due to etching of the second NiFe layer. A remainder of the first Ru layer is removed through a second wet etch, which uses a second etchant combination to remove Ru. A remaining portion of the first multilayer and the first NiFe layer are removed through a third etch, which uses a third etchant combination that removes NiFe. |