Abstract: A PMR writer with a tapered main pole layer and tapered non-magnetic top-shaping layer is disclosed that minimizes trailing shield saturation. A second non-magnetic top shaping layer may be employed to reduce the effective TH size while the bulk of the trailing shield is thicker to allow a larger process window for back end processing. A sloped surface with one end at the ABS and a second end 0.05 to 0.3 microns from the ABS is formed at a 10 to 80 degree angle to the ABS and includes a sloped surface on the upper portion of the main pole layer and on the non-magnetic top shaping layer. An end is formed on the second non-magnetic top shaping layer at the second end of the sloped surface followed by forming a conformal write gap layer and then depositing the trailing shield on the write gap layer and along the ABS.

Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic recording writer is disclosed with an octagonal write pole having a top portion including a trailing edge that is self aligned to a spin transfer oscillator (STO). Leading and trailing edges are connected by two sidewalls each having three sections. A first section on each side is coplanar with the STO sidewalls and is connected to a sloped second section at a first corner. Each second section is connected to a third section at a second corner where the distance between second corners is greater than the distance between first corners. A method of forming the writer begins with a trapezoidal shaped write pole in an insulation layer. Two ion beam etch (IBE) steps are used to shape top and middle portions of the write pole and narrow the pole width to <50 nm without breakage. Finally, a trailing shield is formed on the STO.

Abstract: A PMR writer with a tapered main pole layer and tapered non-magnetic top-shaping layer is disclosed that minimizes trailing shield saturation. A second non-magnetic top shaping layer may be employed to reduce the effective TH size while the bulk of the trailing shield is thicker to allow a larger process window for back end processing. A sloped surface with one end at the ABS and a second end 0.05 to 0.3 microns from the ABS is formed at a 10 to 80 degree angle to the ABS and includes a sloped surface on the upper portion of the main pole layer and on the non-magnetic top shaping layer. An end is formed on the second non-magnetic top shaping layer at the second end of the sloped surface followed by forming a conformal write gap layer and then depositing the trailing shield on the write gap layer and along the ABS.

Abstract: A process (and the structure resulting therefrom) is described for manufacturing a magnetic write head in which there is no physical interface between the first and second trailing shields. This is achieved by laying down a sacrificial layer which is patterned to extend inwards towards the top yoke whereby the dimensions and shapes of the shields are defined.

Abstract: A process is described for the fabrication, through electrodeposition, of FexCoyNiz (x=60-71, y=25-35, z=0-5) films that have, in their as-deposited form, a saturation magnetization of at least 24 kG and a coercivity of less than 0.3 Oe. A key feature is the addition of aryl sulfinates to the plating bath along with a suitable seed layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head has a pole tip shielded laterally by a separated pair of bottom side shields and shielded from above by an upper shield. The bottom side shields surround a lower portion of the pole tip while the upper portion of the pole tip is surrounded by non-magnetic layers. The bottom shields and the non-magnetic layer form a wedge-shaped trench in which the pole tip has been formed by a self-aligned plating process. A write gap layer and an upper shield is formed above the side shields and pole. The resulting structure substantially eliminates track overwrite while maintaining good track definition.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a tapered main pole having a variable thickness. The tapered portion of the pole is at the ABS tip and it can be formed by bevels at the leading or trailing edges or both. The taper terminates to form a region with a maximum thickness, t1, which extends for a certain distance proximally. Beyond this region of maximum thickness t1, the pole is then reduced to a constant minimum thickness t2. A yoke is attached to this region of constant minimum thickness. This pole design requires less flux because of the thinner region of the pole where it attaches to the yoke, but the thicker region just before the tapered ABS provides additional flux to drive the pole just before the ABS, so that high definition and field gain is achieved, yet fringing is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a pole layer, first and second side shields, and an encasing layer having first to third grooves that accommodate the pole layer and the first and second side shields. A manufacturing method for the magnetic head includes the step of forming the first to third grooves in a nonmagnetic layer by using an etching mask layer having first to third openings. This step includes the steps of forming the first groove by etching the nonmagnetic layer using the first opening, with the second and third openings covered with a first mask; and forming the second and third grooves by etching the nonmagnetic layer using the second and third openings, with the first opening covered with a second mask.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a tapered main pole having a variable thickness. The tapered portion of the pole is at the ABS tip and it can be formed by bevels at the leading or trailing edges or both. The taper terminates to form a region with a maximum thickness, t1, which extends for a certain distance proximally. Beyond this region of maximum thickness t1, the pole is then reduced to a constant minimum thickness t2. A yoke is attached to this region of constant minimum thickness. This pole design requires less flux because of the thinner region of the pole where it attaches to the yoke, but the thicker region just before the tapered ABS provides additional flux to drive the pole just before the ABS, so that high definition and field gain is achieved, yet fringing is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A PMR head comprises a substrate, a magnetic pole formed over the substrate, the pole having a pole tip having a cross-sectional tapered shape wherein the pole tip is surrounded by a write gap layer, an integrated shield comprising side shields on the substrate laterally surrounding the pole tip and a trailing shield overlying the pole tip and integral with the side shields.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a self-aligned pole tip shielded laterally by a separated pair of side shields and shielded from above by an upper shield. The side shields are formed from a shield layer by a RIE process characterized by a mask and gases producing a variety of etch rates. The differential in etch rates maintains the opening dimension within the mask and allows the formation of a wedge-shaped trench within the shield layer that then separates the layer into two shields. The pole tip is then plated within the trench and an upper shield is formed above the side shields and pole.

Abstract: A process is described for the fabrication, through electrodeposition, of FexCoyNiz (x=60-71, y=25-35, z=0-5) films that have, in their as-deposited form, a saturation magnetization of at least 24 kG and a coercivity of less than 0.3 Oe. A key feature is the addition of aryl sulfinates to the plating bath along with a suitable seed layer.

Abstract: A PMR head comprises a substrate, a magnetic pole formed over the substrate, the pole having a pole tip having a cross-sectional tapered shape wherein the pole tip is surrounded by a write gap layer, an integrated shield comprising side shields on the substrate laterally surrounding the pole tip and a trailing shield overlying the pole tip and integral with the side shields.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head has a pole tip shielded laterally by a separated pair of bottom side shields and shielded from above by an upper shield. The bottom side shields surround a lower portion of the pole tip while the upper portion of the pole tip is surrounded by non-magnetic layers. The bottom shields and the non-magnetic layer form a wedge-shaped trench in which the pole tip has been formed by a self-aligned plating process. A write gap layer and an upper shield is formed above the side shields and pole. The resulting structure substantially eliminates track overwrite while maintaining good track definition.

Abstract: A magnetic pole suitable for perpendicular magnetic recording is described. This write pole is symmetrically located relative to its side shields and has at least three additional surfaces that are disposed to lie in planes that are normal to the substrate's top surface.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a pole tip shielded laterally by a graded side shield that is conformal to the shape of the pole tip at an upper portion of the shield but not conformal to the pole tip at a lower portion. The shield includes a trailing shield, that is conformal to the trailing edge of the pole tip and may include a leading edge shield that magnetically connects two bottom ends of the graded side shield.

Abstract: A process (and the structure resulting therefrom) is described for manufacturing a magnetic write head in which there is no physical interface between the first and second trailing shields. This is achieved by the introduction of a sacrificial layer immediately after the top yoke plating has been done and its photoresist mold has been stripped.

Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic recording writer is disclosed with an octagonal write pole having a top portion including a trailing edge that is self aligned to a spin transfer oscillator (STO). Leading and trailing edges are connected by two sidewalls each having three sections. A first section on each side is coplanar with the STO sidewalls and is connected to a sloped second section at a first corner. Each second section is connected to a third section at a second corner where the distance between second corners is greater than the distance between first corners. A method of forming the writer begins with a trapezoidal shaped write pole in an insulation layer. Two ion beam etch (IBE) steps are used to shape top and middle portions of the write pole and narrow the pole width to <50 nm without breakage. Finally, a trailing shield is formed on the STO.

Abstract: A three step ion beam etch (IBE) sequence involving low energy (<300 eV) is disclosed for trimming a sensor critical dimension (free layer width=FLW) to less than 50 nm. A first IBE step has a steep incident angle with respect to the sensor sidewall and accounts for 60% to 90% of the FLW reduction. The second IBE step has a shallow incident angle and a sweeping motion to remove residue from the first IBE step and further trim the sidewall. The third IBE step has a steep incident angle to remove damaged sidewall portions from the second step and accounts for 10% to 40% of the FLW reduction. As a result, FLW approaching 30 nm is realized while maintaining high MR ratio of over 60% and low RA of 1.2 ohm-?m2. Sidewall angle is manipulated by changing one or more ion beam incident angles.

Abstract: A process for forming the write pole of a PMR head is described. This write pole is symmetrically located relative to its side shields, This is accomplished, not through optical alignment, but by coating the pole with a uniform layer of non-magnetic material of a predetermined and precise thickness, followed by the formation of the shield layer around this.