Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a wafer and a plurality of contact pads positioned on the wafer. Each contact pad includes a multi-layer stud and a cap layer. The multi-layer stud includes at least a bottom layer and a top layer, the bottom layer being positioned on and extending from an upper surface of the wafer substantially in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the wafer, and the top layer being positioned above the bottom layer and substantially extending in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the wafer. The cap layer is positioned on the top layer of the multi-layer stud and extends beyond sidewalls of the multi-layer stud substantially in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the wafer. The bottom layer has a larger cross-sectional area than any layer of the multi-layer stud positioned thereabove.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to connecting Electronic Lapping Guides (ELG) to a lapping controller such that the number of wire bonds from the controller to a row of read heads is minimized. When lapping the air bearing surface of the read heads, the electrical resistances of the ELGs are monitored to adjust the lapping process and set the stripe height for read sensors in the read heads. Once the resistance corresponds to the desired stripe height, the lapping process is stopped. To measure the resistance, each ELG may be electrically coupled to the same substrate—i.e., share the same common ground. The lapping controller applies a voltage potential across the ELGs using a wire bonded to a pad in the respective read head and one or more connections to the grounded substrate. This configuration avoids having to bond two wires onto each read head.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head with thermal fly height control, wherein the heating element is configured to eliminate magnetic field effects on the writing pole, which would cause otherwise cause non-symmetric writing or pole erasure. Non-symmetric writing is a phenomenon wherein magnetic writing favors one direction over another, thereby causing a timing shift in recorded data. The pole erasure is a phenomenon wherein the erasure would occur even without write current. The heating element can be formed as a plurality of electrically conductive layers separated by a non-magnetic, electrically insulating layer such as alumina. The electrically conductive layers are configured so that current flows in opposite directions through each of the electrically conductive layers such that any magnetic field generated by the current flow through one electrically conductive layer is cancelled out by a magnetic field from another electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a write pole with a tapered trailing edge portion and having a spin torque oscillator that is formed entirely on the tapered trailing edge portion and that is self aligned with first and second sides of the write pole. The write pole and spin torque oscillator are formed by a method wherein the sides of the spin torque oscillator and write pole are defined in the same photolithographic and ion milling process, thereby allowing for the self alignment of the spin torque oscillator with the sides of the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a write pole with a tapered trailing edge portion and having a spin torque oscillator that is formed entirely on the tapered trailing edge portion and that is self aligned with first and second sides of the write pole. The write pole and spin torque oscillator are formed by a method wherein the sides of the spin torque oscillator and write pole are defined in the same photolithographic and ion milling process, thereby allowing for the self alignment of the spin torque oscillator with the sides of the write pole.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to connecting Electronic Lapping Guides (ELG) to a lapping controller such that the number of wire bonds from the controller to a row of read heads is minimized. When lapping the air bearing surface of the read heads, the electrical resistances of the ELGs are monitored to adjust the lapping process and set the stripe height for read sensors in the read heads. Once the resistance corresponds to the desired stripe height, the lapping process is stopped. To measure the resistance, each ELG may be electrically coupled to the same substrate—i.e., share the same common ground. The lapping controller applies a voltage potential across the ELGs using a wire bonded to a pad in the respective read head and one or more connections to the grounded substrate. This configuration avoids having to bond two wires onto each read head.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole having a trapezoidal cross-section at a media-facing surface thereof and a flared shape with a greater width in a cross-track direction at positions away from the media-facing surface, a leading shield positioned near a leading side of the main pole, wherein a leading gap is provided between the main pole and the leading shield, side shields positioned on both sides of the main pole in the cross-track direction adjacent the media-facing surface of the main pole, with side gaps provided between the main pole and both of the side shields, and a trailing gap provided on a trailing side of the main pole at the media-facing surface thereof, with a throat height of the side shields being less than the throat height of the side shields at a position closer to the trailing gap than the leading gap.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a tapered trailing edge and having a magnetic layer formed over a trailing edge of the write pole at a location recessed from the ABS, the magnetic layer being separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a thin non-magnetic layer. The thin non-magnetic layer is preferably sufficiently thin that the magnetic layer can function as a portion of the write pole in a region removed from the ABS. A trailing magnetic shield is formed over the write pole and is separated from the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer. A non-magnetic spacer layer can be formed over the magnetic layer to provide additional separation between the magnetic layer and the trailing magnetic shield.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a leading magnetic shield and a trailing magnetic shield that are arranged to prevent the lost of magnetic write field to the trailing magnetic shield. The write head includes a non-magnetic step layer that provides additional spacing between the trailing magnetic shield and the write pole at a region removed from the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a tapered trailing edge and having a magnetic layer formed over a trailing edge of the write pole at a location recessed from the ABS, the magnetic layer being separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a thin non-magnetic layer. The thin non-magnetic layer is preferably sufficiently thin that the magnetic layer can function as a portion of the write pole in a region removed from the ABS. A trailing magnetic shield is formed over the write pole and is separated from the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer. A non-magnetic spacer layer can be formed over the magnetic layer to provide additional separation between the magnetic layer and the trailing magnetic shield.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a leading magnetic shield and a trailing magnetic shield that are arranged to prevent the lost of magnetic write field to the trailing magnetic shield. The write head includes a non-magnetic step layer that provides additional spacing between the trailing magnetic shield and the write pole at a region removed from the air bearing surface.

Abstract: According to the present grinding method, a plurality of optical markers are formed by photolithography such that the markers are embedded in a chiplet having a magnetic head. Markers are preferably in the shape of a bar having predetermined height, width and length and are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance where one end of the bars are sequentially offset from each other by a predetermined amount. During coarse grinding of the magnetic head as the magnetic head surface material is ground away, the end-face of the bars, one at a time, become visible. The closer the grinding surface approaches the desired inductive throat or MR element height, more end-faces become visible. Coarse grinding continues until a predetermined number of end-faces become visible at which point the grinding process is terminated and the magnetic head is ready for the final lapping process.

Abstract: A method for creating scribe lines on a wafer having an electronic device constructed therein. A plurality of boundary segments is formed on the wafer to define a region on the wafer. This region encompasses the electronic device. An insulating layer is formed over the boundary segments, wherein the insulating layer covers the electronic device. A portion of the insulating layer is removed such that each of the segments is exposed. The boundary segments are then etched away to expose the wafer and form a plurality of scribe lines, wherein the wafer may be cut at the scribe lines to separate the electronic device from the wafer while minimizing damage to the electronic device.