A magnetic read head has a current perpendicular to the planes (CPP) sensor with
a top cap layer that is ruthenium (Ru) or rhodium (Rh) or a top cap layer structure
which includes a first layer of tantulum (Ta) only, a second layer of ruthenium
(Ru), rhodium (Rh) or gold (Au) with the first layer being located between a spacer
layer and the second layer.