Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a pattern measurement device that allows the selection of device conditions for calculating proper variability and allows the estimation of proper variability. The present invention provides a pattern measurement device comprising a computation processing device that, on the basis of a plurality of measured values acquired by a charged particle radiation device, calculates the variability of the measured values of a pattern that is the object of measurement, said pattern measurement device characterized in that a variability ?measured of the plurality of measured values formed at different positions and ?2observed=?2pattern/Np+?2sem0/(Np·Nframe) are used to calculate ?SEM0, which indicates measurement reproducibility error. ?pattern0 is the variability due to pattern shape error, Np is the number of measurement points, and Nframe is a value that changes according to device conditions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an etching apparatus includes an etching chamber, a stage in the etching chamber, a plasma generator in the etching chamber, the plasma generator being opposite to the stage and irradiating an ion beam toward the stage, a supporter supporting the stage, the supporter having a rotational axis in a direction in which the ion beam is irradiated, a first driver changing a beam angle between a direction which is perpendicular to an upper surface of the stage and the direction in which the ion beam is irradiated, and a second driver which rotates the stage on the rotational axis.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device that can include a magnetoresistive stack and an etch-stop layer (ESL) disposed on the magnetoresistive stack. A method of manufacturing the magnetoresistive device can include: depositing the magnetoresistive stack, the ESL and a mask layer on a substrate; performing a first etching process to etch a portion of the mask layer to expose a portion of the ESL; and performing a second etching process to etch the exposed portion of the ESL. The second etching process can also etch a portion of the magnetoresistive stack. The first and second etching processes can be different. For example, the first etching process can be a reactive etching process and the second etching process can be a non-reactive etching process.

Abstract: A data reader generally capable of sensing data bits may be configured at least with a magnetic stack that has free and fixed magnetization structures atop a magnetic seed layer. A bottom shield may be positioned contactingly adjacent the magnetic stack opposite a top shield with the bottom shield having a fixed pinning magnetization set to a predetermined magnetic orientation.

Abstract: A module according to one embodiment includes a body having a tape bearing surface, and a coating on the tape bearing surface. The coating includes a bulk material and one or more sections of a second material at predetermined positions relative to the bulk material. The second material is constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of AlFeSil and Sendust.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer is described. The method includes providing a pinned layer for a magnetic element. The portion of the magnetic transducer including the pinned layer is transferred to a high vacuum annealing apparatus before annealing the magnetic transducer. The portion of the magnetic recording transducer is annealed in the high vacuum annealing apparatus. A tunneling barrier is provided after the step of annealing the part of the magnetic recording transducer. A free layer for the magnetic element is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the steps of: forming a pole-layer-encasing layer having a pole-layer-encasing section; and forming a pole layer in the pole-layer-encasing section. The pole layer includes a first layer, and a second layer formed thereon. The step of forming the pole layer includes the steps of: forming an initial first layer by physical vapor deposition; etching the surface of the initial first layer by dry etching so that the initial first layer becomes the first layer; and forming the second layer on the first layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic read sensor allows for the construction of a very narrow trackwidth sensor while avoiding problems related to mask liftoff and shadowing related process variations across a wafer. The process involves depositing a plurality of sensor layers and forming a first mask structure. The first mask structure has a relatively large opening that encompasses a sensor area and an area adjacent to the sensor area where a hard bias structure can be deposited. A second mask structure is formed over the first mask structure and includes a first portion that is configured to define a sensor dimension and a second portion that is over the first mask structure in the field area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes the steps of: forming a preliminary head section that has a surface to be polished and includes a magnetic pole, a waveguide, and a preliminary plasmon generator; causing a volumetric expansion of the preliminary plasmon generator with heat by introducing light into the core of the waveguide of the preliminary head section; and polishing the surface to be polished of the preliminary head section into a medium facing surface. The preliminary plasmon generator has an end face located in the surface to be polished. In the step of polishing the surface to be polished, the surface to be polished is subjected to polishing with the preliminary plasmon generator expanded in volume, whereby the end face of the preliminary plasmon generator is polished into the front end face, and the preliminary plasmon generator thereby becomes the plasmon generator.

Abstract: A method for providing a magnetic recording transducer is provided. The method includes providing a substrate, and a magnetic shield having a top surface above the substrate. The top surface is treated by a first plasma treatment performed at a first power. An amorphous ferromagnetic (FM) layer is deposited on and in contact with the top surface to a thickness of at least 5 Angstroms and not more than 50 Angstroms. A second plasma treatment is performed at a second power. A magnetic seed layer is provided on and contact with the amorphous FM layer. The magnetic seed layer may comprise a bilayer. A nonmagnetic spacer layer is provided above the magnetic seed layer, an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer provided above the spacer layer, and a read sensor provided above the AFM layer.

Abstract: A method fabricates a magnetic transducer. A sacrificial leading shield is provided on an etch stop layer. A nonmagnetic layer is provided on the sacrificial leading shield. A pole trench is formed in the nonmagnetic layer and on the sacrificial leading shield. A pole is formed. The pole has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom in a pole tip region. Part of the pole in the pole tip region is in the pole trench and at the ABS location. The sacrificial leading shield and part of the nonmagnetic layer adjacent to the pole are removed. An air bridge thus resides in place of the sacrificial leading shield between the portion of the pole and the etch stop layer. As least one shield layer is provided. The at least one shield layer substantially fills the air bridge and form a monolithic shield including a leading and side shields.

Abstract: A tunneling magnetoresistive sensor has an extended pinned layer wherein both the MgO spacer layer and the underlying ferromagnetic pinned layer extend beyond the back edge of the ferromagnetic free layer in the stripe height direction and optionally also beyond the side edges of the free layer in the trackwidth direction. A patterned photoresist layer with a back edge is formed on the sensor stack and a methanol (CH3OH)-based reactive ion etching (RIE) removes the unprotected free layer, defining the free layer back edge. The methanol-based RIE terminates at the MgO spacer layer without damaging the underlying reference layer. A second patterned photoresist layer may be deposited and a second methanol-based RIE may be performed if it is desired to have the reference layer also extend beyond the side edges of the free layer in the trackwidth direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a noise removing filter, including preparing at least one conductive pattern, an insulating layer for covering the at least one conductive pattern, and a lower magnetic body including input/output stud terminals for electrically inputting and outputting electricity to and from the at least one conductive pattern; disposing a recognizable portion on upper surfaces of the input/output stud terminals; disposing an upper magnetic body on the recognizable portion and the insulating layer; polishing the upper magnetic body; and removing the recognizable portion such that a level of an upper surface of the upper magnetic body is higher than levels of the upper surfaces of the input/output stud terminals.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic recording head is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a damascene trench comprising a lower region having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section and an upper region having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and providing a magnetic material within the damascene trench.

Abstract: A method is described to improve performance of a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor under conditions of high areal density. The free layer is partially etched away, the removed material being replaced by a magnetic flux guide structure that reduces the free layer's demagnetization field. This in turn reduces the stripe height of the sensor so that the resolution and the read-back signal are enhanced without increasing noise and instability.

Abstract: A method for determining a critical dimension of a structure along a plane of interest from a measurement along a test plane that is not necessarily located at the plane of interest. The method involves slicing a structure along a test plane and measuring a marker feature in this test plane. A determination of a critical dimension of a feature at the plane of interest is then determined based on the measurement of the marker feature measurement at the test plane. This testing methodology can be useful, for example in the measurement of a critical dimension of a write pole at an air bearing surface plane form a measurement of a test feature at a plane that is not necessarily located at the air bearing surface plane.

Abstract: A method for providing a magnetic transducer including an underlayer is provided. The method comprises providing a recessed region in the underlayer. The recessed region includes a front having an angle from horizontal. The angle is greater than zero and less than ninety degrees. The method further comprises providing an assist pole layer in the recessed region, providing a main pole layer, a portion of the main pole layer residing on the assist pole layer, and defining a main pole from the assist pole layer and the main pole layer.

Abstract: A method in one approach includes forming a first layer of a nonmagnetic material over two sides of a structure, the first layer being substantially absent from above a top of the structure; depositing an overlayer of an etchable, nonmagnetic material over the first layer and the top of the structure; and etching the overlayer for substantially removing the overlayer from above the top of the structure, wherein a substantial portion of the overlayer remains along the two sides of the structure after the etching. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A method provides a PMR transducer. In one aspect, the method includes forming a trench in an intermediate layer using reactive ion etch(es). The trench top is wider than its bottom. In this aspect, the method also includes providing a seed layer using atomic layer deposition and providing a PMR pole on the seed layer. Portion(s) of the seed layer and PMR pole reside in the trench. In another aspect, the method includes providing a mask including a trench having a top wider than its bottom. In this aspect, the method includes providing mask material in the trench, providing an intermediate layer on the mask material and removing the mask material to provide another trench in the intermediate layer. In this aspect, the method also includes providing a PMR pole in the additional trench.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium is provided. The method includes: forming a magnetic layer 2 on a non-magnetic substrate 1; forming a mask layer 3 on the magnetic layer 2; forming a resist layer 4 which is patterned into a predetermined shape on the mask layer 3; patterning the mask layer 3 into a shape corresponding to the resist layer 4 using the resist layer 4; patterning the magnetic layer 2 into a shape corresponding to the mask layer 3 using the patterned mask layer 3; and removing the mask layer 3 that remains on the magnetic layer 2 by reactive plasma etching. The reactive plasma etching is performed under an atmosphere containing an organic compound having at least one kind or plural kinds of functional groups selected from a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, a hydroxy carbonyl group, an alkoxy group, and an ether group.

Abstract: A method and system for providing transducer(s) including a disk structure and having an air-bearing surface (ABS) are described. The disk structure resides a distance from the ABS and has a disk dimension substantially perpendicular to the ABS. Lapping control and disk windage ELGs are provided. The lapping control ELG has first and second edges first and second distances from the ABS. The disk windage ELG has edges different distances from the ABS. A difference between these edges corresponds to the disk dimension. A windage resistance of the disk windage ELG is measured and a disk windage determined. The disk windage corresponds to a difference between designed and actual disk dimensions perpendicular to the ABS. A lapping ELG target resistance is determined based on the disk windage. The transducer is lapped. Lapping is terminated based on a resistance of the lapping control ELG and the lapping ELG target resistance.

Abstract: A method fabricates a magnetic transducer having a nonmagnetic layer and an ABS location corresponding to an ABS. Etch stop and nonmagnetic etchable layers are provided. A side shield layer is provided between the ABS location and the etch stop and etchable layers. A pole trench is formed in the side shield and etchable layers. The pole trench has a pole tip region in the side shield layer and a yoke region in the etchable layer. A nonmagnetic side gap layer, at least part of which is in the pole trench, is provided. A remaining portion of the pole trench has a location and profile for a pole and in which at least part of the pole is formed. A write gap and trailing shield are provided. At least part of the write gap is on the pole. At least part of the trailing shield is on the write gap.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a read head includes the step of depositing a conductive filler into a plurality of holes that extend through a wafer. Each of the holes extends from a wafer top surface to a wafer bottom surface. Each of the holes includes an inner surface that includes an insulative layer. The method further includes the steps of fabricating a read transducer on the wafer top surface, and depositing a plurality of electrically conductive leading connection pads on the wafer bottom surface. The plurality of electrically conductive leading connection pads are in electrical contact with the conductive filler.

Abstract: A dual spin filter that minimizes spin-transfer magnetization switching current (Jc) while achieving a high dR/R in STT-RAM devices is disclosed. The bottom spin valve has a MgO tunnel barrier layer formed with a natural oxidation process to achieve low RA, a CoFe/Ru/CoFeB—CoFe pinned layer, and a CoFeB/FeSiO/CoFeB composite free layer with a middle nanocurrent channel (NCC) layer to minimize Jc0. The NCC layer may have be a composite wherein conductive M(Si) grains are magnetically coupled with adjacent ferromagnetic layers and are formed in an oxide, nitride, or oxynitride insulator matrix. The upper spin valve has a Cu spacer to lower the free layer damping constant. A high annealing temperature of 360° C. is used to increase the MR ratio above 100%. A Jc0 of less than 1×106 A/cm2 is expected based on quasistatic measurements of a MTJ with a similar MgO tunnel barrier and composite free layer.

Abstract: A magnet holding jig comprises a platform and first and second holders disposed on opposite sides of the platform. The platform is provided with channels, the holders are comb-shaped to define digits and slits, the channels and the slits being aligned to define guide paths for permitting entry of a cutting tool therein, and the holders are also configured as digitate hooks. The holder hooks are in contact with a rare earth magnet block resting on the platform. The holders are pushed inward at their lower portions so as to bring each hook digit of the second holder in pressure abutment with the magnet block at a higher level than each hook digit of the first holder for thereby holding the magnet block in place on the platform.

Abstract: A magnet holding jig comprises a platform and first and second holders disposed on opposite sides of the platform. The platform is provided with channels, the holders are comb-shaped to define digits and slits, the channels and the slits being aligned to define guide paths for permitting entry of a cutting tool therein, and the holders are also configured as digitate hooks. The holder hooks are in contact with a rare earth magnet block resting on the platform. The holders are pushed inward at their lower portions so as to elastically deform the digitate hook and move it backward and to bring the hook digits in pressure abutment with the magnet block, thereby holding the magnet block in place on the platform.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the step of forming an accommodation part and the step of forming a return path section. The return path section lies between a main pole and a top surface of a substrate, and connects a shield and part of the main pole away from a medium facing surface to each other so that a space through which part of a coil passes is defined. The accommodation part accommodates at least part of the return path section. The step of forming the return path section forms first to third portions simultaneously. The first portion is located closer to the top surface of the substrate than is the space. The second portion is located closer to the medium facing surface than is the space. The third portion is located farther from the medium facing surface than is the space.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head are disclosed. A PMR pole having a bottom and a top wider than the bottom is provided. The PMR pole may be formed by depositing a PMR pole layer, then removing part of the PMR pole layer, leaving the PMR pole. The PMR pole may also be provided by forming a trench having the desired profile in a photoresist layer, depositing the PMR pole layer, then removing the photoresist layer, leaving the PMR pole in the location of the trench. A side gap is deposited over the PMR pole. A side shield is provided on the side gap. A planarization that removes part of the side shield on the PMR pole is performed. A top gap is provided on the PMR pole, substantially covering the entire PMR pole. A top shield is provided on the top gap.

Abstract: An example method for manufacturing a magneto-resistance effect element having a magnetic layer, a free magnetization layer, and a spacer layer includes forming a first metallic layer and forming, on the first metallic layer, a second metallic layer. A first conversion treatment is performed to convert the second metallic layer into a first insulating layer and to form a first metallic portion penetrating through the first insulating layer. A third metallic layer is formed on the first insulating layer and the first metallic portion. A second conversion treatment is performed to convert the third metallic layer into a second insulating layer and to form a second metallic portion penetrating through the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write pole of a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. A magnetic write pole material is deposited, followed by union milling hard mask, a polymer mask under-layer followed by a dielectric hard mask material, followed by a photoresist. The photoresist is patterned to define a write pole shape and the shape of the patterned photoresist is transferred onto the underlying dielectric hard mask by a novel reactive ion etching that is performed in a chemistry that includes one or more fluorine containing gases and He. The presence of He in the reactive ion etching tool helps to improve the profile of the patterned dielectric hard mask. In addition, RIE parameters such a gas ratio (e.g. CF4 to CHF3 gas ratio) and power ratio (e.g. source power to bias power) are adjusted to optimize the profile of the patterned dielectric mask.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that includes depositing a plurality of mask layers, then forming a stripe height defining mask over the sensor layers. A first ion milling is performed just sufficiently to remove portions of the free layer that are not protected by the stripe height defining mask, the first ion milling being terminated at the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. A dielectric layer is then deposited, preferably by ion beam deposition. A second ion milling is then performed to remove portions of the pinned layer structure that are not protected by the mask, the free layer being protected during the second ion milling by the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head are described. The method and system include providing a slider, an EAMR transducer coupled with the slider, and a top layer on the slider. The top layer includes a mirror well therein and has a substantially flat top surface. The method and system further includes providing a laser including a light-emitting surface and providing a mirror optically coupled with the laser. The laser is coupled to the top surface of the top layer external to the mirror well. The mirror has a bottom surface and a reflective surface facing the light-emitting surface of the laser. A portion of the bottom surface of the mirror is affixed to the top surface of the top layer. A portion of the mirror resides in the mirror well.

Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the present invention comprises providing a magnetic stack comprising a magnetic layer sub-stack comprising magnetic layers and a bottom conductive electrode and a top conductive electrode electrically connecting the magnetic layer sub-stack at opposite sides thereof; providing a sacrificial pillar on top of the magnetic stack, the sacrificial pillar having an undercut with respect to an overlying second sacrificial material and a sloped foot with increasing cross-sectional dimension towards the magnetic stack, using the sacrificial pillar for patterning the magnetic stack, depositing an insulating layer around the sacrificial pillar, selectively removing the sacrificial pillar, thus creating a contact hole towards the patterned magnetic stack, and filling the contact hole with electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer for use in a data storage system comprises providing a substrate, an underlayer and a first nonmagnetic intermediate layer deposited to a first thickness on and in contact with the underlayer, performing a first scanning polishing on a first section of the first intermediate layer to planarize the first section of the first intermediate layer to a second thickness, providing a main pole in the planarized first section of the first intermediate layer, providing a first pattern of photoresist on and in contact with the first section of the first intermediate layer, the pattern comprising an aperture to define a side shield trench, performing a wet etch to remove at least a portion of the first intermediate layer thereby exposing at least one of the plurality of main pole sides, and depositing side shield material in the side shield trench.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic write head is provided. The method includes steps of: forming a laminate structure including the waveguide; the plasmon generator, and the magnetic pole in order; performing a first polishing process to planarize an end surface of the laminate structure; performing a first etching process to remove impurity attached on the end surface of the laminate structure, and to allow the plasmon generator to be recessed from the waveguide and the magnetic pole, thereby forming a recessed region on the end surface of the laminate structure; forming a protection layer on the end surface of the laminate structure such that at least the recessed region is filled; and performing a second polishing process on the end surface of the laminate structure formed with the protection layer until the plasmon generator is exposed, thereby completing the air bearing surface.

Abstract: As track densities increase, it becomes increasingly important, while writing in a given track, not to inadvertently write data in adjoining tracks. This problem has been overcome by limiting the width of material in the ABS plane to what it is at the write gap. The part of the lower pole that is wider than this is recessed back away from the ABS, thereby greatly reducing its magnetic influence on adjacent tracks. Four different embodiments of write heads that incorporate this notion are described together with a description of a general process for their manufacture.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer is described. The transducer has an ABS location and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer having a pole trench. The method includes depositing at least one magnetic pole layer having a top surface and a pole tip portion proximate to the ABS location. A first portion of the magnetic pole layer(s) resides in the pole trench. The magnetic pole layer(s) have a seam in the pole tip portion that extends to the top surface. The method also includes cathodically etching a second portion of the magnetic pole layer(s) from the seam at a rate of not more than 0.1 nanometers/second, thereby forming a seam trench in the magnetic pole layer(s). The method also includes refilling the seam trench with at least one magnetic refill layer. At least an additional magnetic pole layer is deposited on the top surface and the magnetic refill layer(s).

Abstract: A method or forming a wrapped-around shielded perpendicular magnetic recording writer pole is disclosed. A structure comprising a leading shield layer and an intermediate layer disposed over the leading shield layer is provided, the intermediate layer comprising a pole material and a dielectric material. A trench is formed in the dielectric material. A non-magnetic layer in the trench is removed via an ion beam etching process. A seed layer is deposited in the trench and over the pole material. A magnetic material comprising a side shield layer is deposited on at least a portion of the seed layer.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. A method of manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head has a lower shield layer forming step. This step comprises a step of forming a first lower shield part in a lower shield planned area, including a planned line along the medium-opposing surface, a step of forming a partial lower seed layer having a partial arrangement structure in which the partial lower seed layer is arranged on a lower formation zone except a lower exception zone including the planned line, a step of forming a second lower shield part on the partial lower seed layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a hard bias (HB) structure for longitudinally biasing a free layer in a MR sensor is disclosed. A HB layer is formed with easy axis growth perpendicular to an underlying seed layer which is formed above a substrate and along two sidewalls of the sensor. In one embodiment, a conformal soft magnetic layer that may be a top shield is deposited on the HB layer to provide direct exchange coupling that compensates HB surface charges. Optionally, a thin capping layer on the HB layer enables magneto-static shield-HB coupling. After HB initialization, HB regions along the sensor sidewalls have magnetizations that are perpendicular to the sidewalls as a result of surface charges near the seed layer. Sidewalls may be extended into the substrate (bottom shield) to give enhanced protection against side reading.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a plurality of regions of magnetic material in a substrate having a first approximately planar surface. The method comprises the steps of fabricating projections in the first surface of the substrate, depositing onto the first surface a magnetic material in such a way that the tops of the projections are covered with magnetic material, and depositing filler material atop the substrate so produced. The filler material may then be planarized, for example by chemical-mechanical polishing. In an alternative embodiment magnetic material is deposited on a substrate and portions of it are removed, leaving islands of material. Filler material is then deposited, which may be planarized.

Abstract: A method for enhancing thermal stability, improving biasing and reducing damage from electrical surges in self-pinned abutted junction heads. The method includes forming a free layer, forming first hard bias layers abutting the free layer and forming second hard bias layers over the first hard bias layers discontiguous from the free layer, the second hard bias layers being anti-parallel to the first hard bias layers, the first and second hard bias layers providing a net longitudinal bias on the free layer.

Abstract: A method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording transducer is described. The method and system include providing a metallic underlayer and providing an insulator, at least a portion of which is on the metallic underlayer. The method and system also include forming a trench in the insulator. The bottom of the trench is narrower than the top of the trench and includes a portion of the metallic underlayer. The method and system also include providing a nonmagnetic seed layer that substantially covers at least the bottom and sides of the trench. The method and system also include plating a perpendicular magnetic pole material on at least a portion of the seed layer and removing a portion of the perpendicular magnetic pole material. A remaining portion of the perpendicular magnetic pole material forms a perpendicular magnetic recording pole.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic write head capable of precisely narrowing a side gap is provided. A tip portion having a cross sectional geometry of an inverted trapezoid is formed in an opening portion of a non-magnetic layer and thereafter, the non-magnetic layer is etched with the tip portion as a mask. Thereby, a portion adjacent to the tip portion in a writing track width direction remains and an outermost edge portion of the tip portion in that direction is located on a plane which coincides with an etching face (side face) of the non-magnetic layer. When a gap layer is formed with a vapor phase growth such as a sputtering method to cover the side face of the non-magnetic layer and thereafter a side shield layer is formed adjacently to the tip portion therethrough, a thickness of the gap layer becomes extremely thin and is reproduced precisely. Therefore, the side gap is narrowed with high precision.

Abstract: Methods of making write poles for perpendicular magnetic recording write heads. The bevel angle of the write pole for a perpendicular magnetic recording write head affects the performance of the write head. By forming reinforcement layer on the polymeric underlayer mask to enhance the mask durability during ion mill and tapering the polymeric underlayer above the non-magnetic mill mask layer using oxygen and nitrogen based reactive ion etch process, the bevel angle of the magnetic write pole can be increased greatly to meet the demands of the next and future generations of magnetic recording write heads.

Abstract: A method for fabricating magnetic transducer is described. The method includes providing a main pole having a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The method further includes performing a high energy ion mill at an angle from a normal to the to of the main pole and at a first energy. The high energy ion mill removes a portion of the top of the main pole and exposes a top bevel surface for the main pole. The method also includes performing a low energy ion mill at second energy and a glancing angle from the top bevel surface. The glancing angle is not more than fifteen degrees. The second energy is less than the first energy. The method and system also include depositing a nonmagnetic gap.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating magnetic write heads and electrical lapping guides (ELG's) using a split gap deposition process is described. A removal process is performed on a magnetic material to define a main write pole and to define a corresponding ELG for the main write pole. A first non-magnetic gap layer is deposited. A mask and liftoff process is performed to deposit an electrically conductive material on the first gap layer disposed along a front edge of the ELG. A second non-magnetic gap layer is then deposited and a shield is fabricated for the write pole.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic head comprises the steps of: selectively exposing through the use of a photomask a photoresist layer unpatterned; forming a pattern for forming a pole layer by developing the photoresist layer after the exposure; and forming the pole layer through the use of the pattern. The photomask includes first to third regions. The first region has such a perimeter that a projection image thereof is shaped along a perimeter of an ideal shape of the top surface of the pole layer. The second region touches the perimeter of the first region, and is located outside the first region. The third region is located inside the first region without touching the perimeter of the first region. The third region suppresses deviation of the pole layer from its desired shape which may be caused by the effect of light reflected while the photoresist layer is exposed.

Abstract: A method for providing at least one transducer including magnetic structure and having an air-bearing surface (ABS) are described. The method includes providing a lapping electronic lapping guide (lapping ELG) and a targeting ELG. The lapping ELG and targeting ELG each are coplanar with the desired thickness of the magnetic structure and have a back edge at the distance from the ABS such that the ELG back edges are substantially aligned with the flare point. The targeting ELG has a front edge at a front edge distance from the ABS corresponding to an intersection of the bevel and the desired thickness. The method further includes lapping the transducer and terminating the lapping based on a first resistance of the lapping ELG and a second resistance of the targeting ELG.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a pole on a recording head is disclosed. The method and system include sputtering at least one ferromagnetic layer and fabricating a hard mask on the ferromagnetic layer. The method and system also include defining the pole and depositing a write gap on the pole. A portion of the pole is encapsulated in an insulator.