Abstract: The magnetoresistive sensor has an MR stack and side shields formed by contacts and/or pedestals on either side of the MR stack. The materials for the contacts and pedestals are selected to be magnetically soft, electrically conductive and have a low AMR signal. The contacts and pedestals are magnetically decoupled from the hard bias materials by placement of spacers.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive sensor has an MR stack and side shields formed by contacts and/or pedestals on either side of the MR stack. The materials for the contacts and pedestals are selected to be magnetically soft, electrically conductive and have a low AMR signal. The contacts and pedestals are magnetically decoupled from the hard bias materials by placement of spacers.

Abstract: A transducing head has a magnetoresistive sensor and first and second permanent magnet bias elements for providing longitudinal bias to the magnetoresistive sensor. The first and second permanent magnet bias elements are arranged on opposite sides of the magnetoresistive sensor and recessed a distance away from the magnetoresistive sensor. The transducing head of the present invention achieves increased read sensitivity by recessing the first and second permanent magnet bias elements away from the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A slider includes a magnetic head having first and second magnetic poles separated by a gap. A recess in the air-bearing surface extends into at least the first magnetic pole and has a first portion having a length parallel to the gap length to define a gap width orthogonal to the gap length. The first portion of the recess has a curved depth defining a curved profile along its length. In one embodiment, the recess has a second portion having a length orthogonal to the gap length and a depth defining a curved profile along its length.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head has a magnetic pole tip and a seed layer upon which the magnetic pole tip is formed. The seed layer is preferably formed of a high magnetic moment material having a saturation magnetization of at least 1.8 Tesla and a high resistance to corrosion. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the seed layer is preferably formed of 2.1 Tesla Fe44-46Co39-41Ni14.5-15, 1.8 Tesla Fe54-56Ni27-29Co16-18 Tesla Fe86-90Cr10-14, or 1.9 Tesla Fe52-62Co26-36Cr10-14, wherein the subscripts indicate a preferred range of atomic percentages for each element in the given alloy.

Abstract: A thin-film head has patterned pole tips (68) and a smooth interface topography (70) which eliminates the accumulation of foreign material around the pole tips (68). The patterned pole tips (68) are formed by removing material to obtain a desired pole tip shape. Fill material is added and reduced to produce a smooth surface topography (70).

Abstract: A writer portion of a recording head is disclosed. The writer portion includes a lower magnetic pole. An oxide gap is positioned on the lower magnetic pole. A first insulating layer is positioned on a first portion of the gap oxide, the first insulator layer having a planarized top surface. A plurality of intermediate insulating layers are positioned on top of the first insulating layer. Each intermediate insulating layer encapsulates a layer of conductive coils and has a planarized top surface. A last insulating layer is positioned on top of a portion of the plurality of intermediate insulating layers and on top of a second portion of the gap oxide. An upper magnetic pole is positioned on top of the last insulating layer and on top of a third portion of the gap oxide.

Abstract: A thin-film head electromagnetic transducer has two pole pieces which define a gap. The surface of at least one of the pole pieces has a linear edge defining one side of the gap and has two linear edges which are at an acute angle to the linear edge defining the gap and are symmetric about and abut at an axis perpendicular to the linear edge defining the gap.

Abstract: A thin-film head has patterned pole tips and a smooth interface surface topography which eliminates the accumulation of foreign material around the pole tips.

Abstract: A thin-film head electromagnetic transducer has two pole pieces which define a gap. The surface of at least one of the pole pieces has a linear edge defining one side of the gap and has two linear edges which are at an acute angle to the linear edge defining the gap and are symmetric about and abut at an axis perpendicular to the linear edge defining the gap.