A magnetic head having a spin valve sensor that is fabricated utilizing an
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, NiMn0, Si seed layer upon which a PtMn spin valve sensor
layer structure is subsequently fabricated. In the preferred embodiment,
the Si layer has a thickness of approximately 20 .ANG. and the PtMn layer
has a thickness of approximately 120 .ANG.. An alternative fabrication
process of the Si layer includes the overdeposition of the layer to a
first thickness of from 15 .ANG. to 45 .ANG. followed by the etching back
of the seed layer of approximately 5 .ANG. to approximately 15 .ANG. to
its desired final thickness of approximately 20 .ANG.. The Si layer
results in an improved crystal structure to the subsequently fabricated
PtMn and other spin valve sensor layers, such that the fabricated spin
valve is thinner and exhibits increased .DELTA.R/R and reduced
coercivity.