Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) writer has a recessed spin flipping element formed in the write gap between the MP tapered trailing side and a first trailing shield, a thickness ? to the write gap thickness, and a width ? to a maximum width of the MP tapered trailing side. The spin flipping element has a lower non-spin preserving layer, a middle flux guiding layer (FGL), and an upper spin preserving layer. The FGL has a magnetization that flips to a direction substantially anti-parallel to the write gap field when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied from the trailing shield towards the MP thereby increasing reluctance in the write gap and forcing additional flux out of the MP at the air bearing surface to enhance writability and tracks per inch capability on a recording medium while maintaining bits per inch capability compared with conventional MAMR writers.

Abstract: A spin torque transfer (STT) assisted magnetic recording structure is disclosed wherein a magnetic flux guiding (MFG) device is formed between a main pole (MP) trailing side and a trailing shield (TS). The MFG device has a field generation layer (FGL) separated from first and second spin polarization (SP) layers by first and second non-magnetic layers, respectively. First and second SP layers have magnetizations in opposite directions so that when a direct current of sufficient magnitude is applied from the MP to TS, or from the TS to MP in other embodiments, FGL magnetization flips to a direction toward the MP and opposes a write gap field flux thereby enhancing the write field. Additive torque from two SP layers on the FGL enables lower current density for FGL flipping or a greater degree of FGL flipping at a given current density compared with MFG schemes having a single SP layer.

Abstract: A dual PMR writer is disclosed wherein a first main pole (MP1) in writer 1 is a mirror image of a second main pole (MP2) in writer 2 with respect to a center plane aligned orthogonal to the air bearing surface (ABS). MP1 and MP2 may have an asymmetrical top-down shape to reduce writer-writer spacing (WWS) and read write offset (RWO) when a single or double reader is positioned down-track at the center plane. Accordingly, there is less track misregistration and better area density capability. Each of MP1 and MP2 as well as a top yoke (TY), and a tapered bottom yoke (tBY) have a rectangular back portion of width “w” from 4 to 10 microns. Spacing between MP1 and MP2 back portions may be ?4 microns to prevent cross-talk. RWO is reduced from ?4 microns for symmetrical TY/MP/tBY shapes to 3 microns or less for asymmetrical shapes.

Abstract: A pad/trace line layout for a PMR writer structure having two or more writers on a slider, and a process for selecting the best of the multiple writers is disclosed. Each writer is individually probed with a spin stand test device to generate performance results including bit error rate (BER), and area density capability (ADC). After the best writer is determined, the slider is integrated in a HGA. Only the best writer is connected through trace lines to a preamp to enable functionality. At least one trace line has a plurality of arms that enable flexibility in connecting the best writer to the preamp while other arms are not connected. In some embodiments, all writers share a common W? pad that is connected to the preamp through one of two trace lines while the other trace line has one of the plurality of arms connected to the best writer.

Abstract: A first side shield has a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a second side shield has a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall. The first to fourth sidewalls have first to fourth edges, respectively, that are farthest from a top surface of a substrate. The distance between a rear end of the first edge and a rear end of the third edge in a track width direction is greater than the distance between a front end of the first edge and a front end of the third edge in the track width direction. The distance between the second edge and the fourth edge in the track width direction increases with increasing distance from the medium facing surface.

Abstract: A first side shield has a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a second side shield has a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall. The first to fourth sidewalls have first to fourth edges, respectively, that are farthest from a top surface of a substrate. The distance between a rear end of the first edge and a rear end of the third edge in a track width direction is greater than the distance between a front end of the first edge and a front end of the third edge in the track width direction. The distance between the second edge and the fourth edge in the track width direction increases with increasing distance from the medium facing surface.

Abstract: A dual perpendicular magnetic recording writer is disclosed wherein first and second dynamic fly height (DFH) heaters WDFH1 and WDFH2, are formed in first and second writers, respectively, on a slider in a head gimbal assembly. In one embodiment, WDFH1 and WDFH2 have front sides that are recessed behind first and second back gap connections (BGC), respectively, and join together at their respective backsides behind the interconnect which connects a bucking coil and driving coil each symmetrically disposed about a center plane separating the two writers. In another embodiment with a separate bucking coil in each writer, WDFH1 and WDFH2 are formed behind separate interconnects. Magnetic spacing loss is reduced compared with a single DFH heater spread across both writers. Close point at touchdown in a cross-track direction and the size of the touchdown area are controlled by applying a WDFH1:WDFH2 power ratio from 100:0 to 0:100.

Abstract: A seed layer stack with a smooth top surface having a peak to peak film thickness variation of about 0.5 nm is formed by sputter depositing a second seed layer on a first seed layer that is Mg, MgN, or an alloy thereof where the second seed layer has a bond energy substantially greater than that of the first seed layer. The second seed layer may be Ta or NiCr. In some embodiments, an uppermost seed layer that is one or both of Ru and Cu is deposited on the second seed layer. Higher coercivity (Hc) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (Hk) is observed in an overlying ferromagnetic layer than when a prior art seed layer stack is employed. The first seed layer has a thickness from 2 to 20 Angstroms and has a resputtering rate about 2 to 40 times that of the second seed layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a perpendicular magnetic recording writer with an all wrap around (AWA) shield design wherein one or more of the leading shield, trailing shield, and side shields are a composite wherein a magnetic “hot seed” layer made of a >19 kG to 24 kG material adjoins a gap layer, and a side of the hot seed layer opposite the gap layer adjoins a high damping magnetic layer made of a 10-16 kG material (or a 16-19 kG material in the trailing shield) having a Gilbert damping parameter ?>0.04. In one embodiment, the high damping magnetic layer is FeNiRe with a Re content of 3 to 15 atomic %. The main pole leading and trailing sides may be tapered. Side shields may have a single taper or dual taper structure. Higher writer speed with greater areal density capability is achieved.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording writer is disclosed wherein a first trailing shield (HMTS) layer has a down-track (DT) thickness d in portions thereof proximate to a center plane that bisects the main pole tip trailing side to enable enhanced trailing shield return field at track center thereby improving bits per inch (BPI) capability. Meanwhile, at off track center positions, that in some embodiments are from 25 nm to 500 nm from the center plane, the HMTS layer has a DT thickness d1, where d1>d, and a smaller dielectric gap between the HMTS layer and the main pole thereby protecting side shield return field and adjacent track interference (ATI) performance. A method of forming the HMTS layer on a write gap is provided and includes patterning the HMTS layer in a back portion to form openings that are filled with the smaller dielectric gap and HTMS layer thickness d1.

Abstract: A TAMR (thermally assisted magnetic recording) write head uses a gap-based NFT (near-field transducer) to create plasmon near field energy. In one embodiment the NFT is a double ridge aperture structure that simultaneously delivers low transition curvature and better cross-track thermal gradients than previous designs. In another embodiment a NFT comprises a top and bottom ridge not confined to an aperture structure, made of thermo-mechanically stable materials and a parabolic shaped metal layer disposed adjacent to a dielectric waveguide core to couple optical energy to surface plasmon modes.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording writer has a main pole (MP) with a write gap formed between the MP trailing side and a trailing shield, a side gap between each MP side and a side shield, and a leading gap between the MP leading side and a leading shield. A flux guiding element is formed in at least one gap and comprises an inner non-spin preserving layer adjoining the MP, a middle flux guiding layer (FGL), and an outer spin preserving layer. A key feature is that the FGL has a magnetization that may be aligned anti-parallel to a gap field during a write process when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied from the adjacent shield towards the MP thereby increasing reluctance in the gap and forcing additional flux out of the MP at the air bearing surface to enhance writability on a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A junction shield (JS) structure is disclosed for providing longitudinal bias to a free layer (FL) having a width (FLW) and magnetization in a cross-track direction between sidewalls in a sensor. The sensor is formed between bottom and top shields and has sidewalls extending from a front side at an air bearing surface (ABS) to a backside that is a stripe height (SH) from the ABS. The JS structure has a lower layer (JS1) with a magnetization parallel to that of the FL, and a tapered top surface such that JS1 has decreasing thickness with increasing height from the ABS. As aspect ratio or AR (SH/FLW) increases above 1, longitudinal bias increases proportionally to slow an increase in asymmetry as AR increases, and without introducing a loss in amplitude for a reader with low AR. The JS1 layer may be antiferromagnetically coupled to an upper JS layer for stabilization.

Abstract: A dual PMR writer is disclosed wherein the better of the two writers on a slider is integrated into a head gimbal assembly to improve area density capability mean and sigma values, and the other writer is disabled. Each of a driving coil (DC) and bucking coil (BC) have two outer portions that form a U shape with a front side, and have a center portion connected to each of the two outer portions with a narrow arm in which direct current resistance (DCR) is enhanced during a write process. As a result, when writer (coil) induced write gap (WG) protrusion is overlaid on the dynamic fly height (DFH) protrusion profile, the net WG protrusion profile has a maximum value at a cross-track position aligned with a main pole tip in the better writer thereby substantially minimizing magnetic spacing loss compared with conventional dual PMR writers.

Abstract: A PMR writer is disclosed with an all wrap around (AWA) shield design in which one or more of the leading shield, side shields, and trailing shield (TS) structure (except the hot seed layer) at the air bearing surface (ABS) are comprised of an alloy having a damping parameter ? of ?0.04 to minimize wide area track erasure (WATE). The TS structure comprises two outer magnetic layers with an 8-16 kiloGauss (kG) saturation magnetic moment (Ms) on each side of a center stack with a lower write gap, a middle hot seed layer (Ms of 19-24 kG), and an upper magnetic layer (Ms of 16-24 kG). The hot seed layer, and upper TS magnetic layer promote improved area density capability (ADC). A second TS layer with Ms of 16-24 kG and a full width at the ABS may be formed on the upper magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a coil, and a magnetic path forming section for defining a first space for a portion of the coil to pass through. The magnetic path forming section includes a core section. The coil includes a first winding portion and a second winding portion connected in series. The first winding portion includes one or two first coil elements extending to pass through the first space, and extends once or twice around the entire perimeter of the core section. The second winding portion does not pass through the first space, and extends less than once around the entire perimeter of the core section to rotate n degrees about a center point of the core section, where n is greater than 270 and smaller than 360.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a dielectric structure formed of a sintered dielectric, and a first electrode and a second electrode each formed of a conductor. The dielectric structure includes a wall. The first electrode and the second electrode are insulated from each other by the wall. The wall has a height which is a dimension in a first direction, and a thickness which is a dimension in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the height being greater than the thickness. The wall has a non-straight shape when seen in the first direction.

Abstract: An MTJ or MR read sensor is formed by depositing a stack in a reverse order with a free layer (FL) deposited on a lower shield, followed by a tunneling barrier layer (for an MTJ) or a conducting spacer layer (for an MR) and, finally, an antiferromagnetically coupled pinning structure and an upper shield. This reverse order permits a series of etching processes to be accurately performed on the lower shield and the stack together with the formation of biasing layers that are coupled to the lower shield and the stack, without adversely affecting the stability of the pinning structure. Further, the distance between the FL and the shield is accurately determined and repeatable even down to the sub-nm regime. An upper shield can then be formed and also coupled to the biasing layers.

Abstract: A dual PMR writer is disclosed wherein the better writer at outer diameter (OD) skew is paired with a suspension after dynamic performance (DP) spin stand testing so that the better writer is the inner writer formed closer to a recording disk center than the other writer. Accordingly, lower read write offset is achieved at OD skew and better area density capability is realized. Preferably, there is a symmetrical or substantially symmetrical air bearing surface design after lapping and spin stand testing to afford flexibility in pairing an up facing (UP) head configuration with an UP suspension, or a down facing (DN) head configuration with a DN suspension to enable the better writer to be the inner writer. The dual PMR writer may have a dual dynamic fly height heater on each side of a center plane separating the two writers to improve write gap protrusion in the better writer.

Abstract: A near field transducer (NFT) is formed between a waveguide and main pole layer at an air bearing surface (ABS). The NFT includes a resonator body layer made of Au, for example, with a front side at a first plane that is recessed a first distance from the ABS and a back side that is at a second plane formed parallel to the ABS and first plane. The NFT also has a peg layer with a rectangular peg portion between the ABS and first plane, and a larger back portion between the first and second planes that overlays directly above the resonator body layer. The peg layer is preferably made of Rh to improve mechanical stability of the NFT without significantly degrading overall optical efficiency of the NFT. A blocker may be formed between the ABS and waveguide to prevent light not coupled to the NFT from reaching the ABS.