Abstract: A flow splitting device for gas reverse circulation drilling, including: an upper joint for connecting with a double-wall drill pipe; an inner tube which is arranged in the upper joint and defines a first passageway in communication with an inner chamber of the double-wall drill pipe, a second passageway in communication with an annular space in the double-wall drill pipe formed between the inner tube and the upper joint; a lower joint, having an upper end fixedly connected with the upper joint and a lower end for connecting with a drill tool; and a flow guiding member provided between the upper joint and the lower joint. A flexible sealing mechanism is provided outside the upper joint. The flexible sealing mechanism extends radially outward relative to the upper joint and the lower joint to form a sealing contact with a wellbore wall.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for forming a magnetic read head with pinned layers extending to the ABS of the read head and magnetically coupled with an antiferromagnetic layer that is recessed in relation to the ABS of the read head. Portions of the antiferromagnetic layer and a magnetic layer that are extending to the ABS are removed, exposing a shield. A shielding material is formed on the exposed shield and a seed layer is formed on the shield and on or over a portion of the remaining antiferromagnetic layer. A pinned layer structure is formed on the seed layer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for forming a magnetic read head with pinned layers extending to the ABS of the read head and magnetically coupled with an antiferromagnetic layer that is recessed in relation to the ABS of the read head. Portions of the antiferromagnetic layer and a magnetic layer that are extending to the ABS are removed, exposing a shield. A shielding material is formed on the exposed shield and a seed layer is formed on the shield and on or over a portion of the remaining antiferromagnetic layer. A pinned layer structure is formed on the seed layer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a main pole, at least one side shield positioned on sides of the main pole, and a trailing shield having a multi-bump structure positioned near a trailing side of the main pole, wherein the multi-bump structure has six junctures along the trailing shield facing the main pole, a first juncture positioned at a media-facing surface, a sixth juncture positioned away from the media-facing surface, and second, third, fourth, and fifth junctures positioned along the side of the trailing shield facing the main pole between the first and sixth juncture, wherein an element height of a first face of the trailing shield positioned between the fourth and fifth juncture is less than an element height of a second face of the trailing shield positioned at an end of the trailing shield positioned opposite the media-facing surface of the trailing shield.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer is provided. The PRM transducer includes a PMR pole having a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall, the bottom having a bottom width, the top having a top width bigger than the bottom width. The PRM transducer further includes an intermediate layer adjacent to the at least one sidewall, a write gap on the PMR pole, the write gap including a first layer on the PMR pole, the first layer including a planarization stop layer, and a shield on the write gap.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing to that can provide uniform polishing across a wafer even when polishing hard wafers such as AlTiC wafers used in the formation of magnetic recording sliders. The chemical mechanical polishing to has a wafer carrier that includes a diaphragm or bladder that is configured such that an inner portion of the bladder can be pneumatically pressurized so as to bow outward, while outer portions remain unpressurized.

Abstract: Magnetic write heads and corresponding fabrication methods for bi-layer wrap around shields resulting in dissimilar shield layer widths are disclosed. A gap structure is formed around a main write pole for a magnetic write head. A wrap around shield for the main write pole is fabricated to include a first magnetic layer proximate to the main write pole and a second magnetic layer on the first magnetic layer. A width of the first magnetic layer is less than the width of the second magnetic layer, and back edges of the first and second magnetic layers are coplanar. Further, a throat height of the wrap around shield is maintained between the first and the second magnetic layers because their back edges are coplanar.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device is provided. The device includes at least one magnetoresistive element having at least one side, at least one hard bias layer in proximity to the at least one side of the at least one magnetic element, and a hard bias capping structure on the at least one hard bias layer. The hard bias capping structure includes a protective layer covering at least a first portion of the at least one hard bias layer and a planarization stop layer covering a second portion of the at least one hard bias layer. A portion of the protective layer resides between the planarization stop layer and the at least one hard bias layer.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to TMR readers and methods for their manufacture. The embodiments discussed herein disclose TMR readers that utilize a structure that avoids use of the DLC layer over the sensor structure and over the hard bias layer. The capping structure over the sensor structure functions as both a protective layer for the sensor structure and a CMP stop layer. The hard bias capping structure functions as both a protective structure for the hard bias layer and as a CMP stop layer. The capping structures that are free of DLC reduce the formation of notches in the second shield layer so that second shield layer is substantially flat.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a TMR reader and a method for its manufacture. The TMR reader discussed herein adds a shield layer to the sensor structure. The shield layer is deposited over the capping layer so that the shield layer and the capping layer collectively protect the free magnetic layer within the sensor structure from damage during further processing. Additionally, the hard bias layer is shaped such that the entire hard bias layer underlies the hard bias capping layer so that a top lead layer is not present. By eliminating the top lead layer and including a shield layer within the sensor structure, the read gap is reduced while still protecting the free magnetic layer during later processing.

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: Methods for fabrication of leading edge shields and tapered magnetic poles with a tapered leading edge are provided. The leading edge shield may be formed by utilizing a CMP stop layer. The CMP stop layer may aid in preventing over polishing of the magnetic material. For the tapered magnetic poles with a tapered leading edge, a magnetic material is deposited on a planarized surface, a patterned resist material is formed, and exposed magnetic material is etched to form at least one tapered surface of the magnetic material.

Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having a flat shield for improved gap thickness definition and control. The magnetic read head includes a sensor stack and hard bias layer formed at either side of the sensor stack. A SiNx hard bias capping layer is formed over the hard bias layers between the hard bias structure and the upper magnetic shield. The hard bias capping layer has an upper surface that has been planarized by chemical mechanical polishing that is co-planar with an upper surface of the sensor stack. The read sensor is constructed by a method wherein the hard bias capping layer is constructed of a material (e.g. SiNx) that is also used as a CMP stop layer and that can be planarized by chemical mechanical polishing while having some resistance to removal by chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: Methods for fabrication of leading edge shields and tapered magnetic poles with a tapered leading edge are provided. The leading edge shield may be formed by utilizing a CMP stop layer. The CMP stop layer may aid in preventing over polishing of the magnetic material. For the tapered magnetic poles with a tapered leading edge, a magnetic material is deposited on a planarized surface, a patterned resist material is formed, and exposed magnetic material is etched to form at least one tapered surface of the magnetic material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a very narrow track width, straight well defined sides and a well defined trailing edge width (e.g. track-width). The method includes uses two separate chemical mechanical polishing processes that stop at separate CMP stop layers. The first CMP stop layer is deposited directly over a RIEable fill layer. A RIE mask, is formed over the fill layer and first CMP stop layer, the RIE mask having an opening. A trench then is formed in the RIEable fill layer. A second CMP stop layer is then deposited into the trench and over the RIE mask, followed by plating of a magnetic material. First and second chemical mechanical polishing processes are then performed, the first stopping at the first CMP stop and the second stopping at the second CMP stop.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a tapered leading edge. The method includes depositing a sacrificial non-magnetic layer to a thickness that is at least as great as the thickness of the write pole to be formed. The sacrificial non-magnetic layer is then masked and ion milled so as to form a tapered edge on the sacrificial non-magnetic layer that extends through the thickness of the non-magnetic fill layer. A magnetic material is then deposited and planarized by chemical mechanical polishing. The remaining magnetic material forms the entirety of the magnetic write pole so that there is no need to deposit additional magnetic layers further construct the write pole.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a very narrow track width, straight well defined sides and a well defined trailing edge width (e.g. track-width). The method includes uses two separate chemical mechanical polishing processes that stop at separate CMP stop layers. The first CMP stop layer is deposited directly over a RIEable fill layer. A RIE mask, is formed over the fill layer and first CMP stop layer, the RIE mask having an opening. A trench then is formed in the RIEable fill layer. A second CMP stop layer is then deposited into the trench and over the RIE mask, followed by plating of a magnetic material. First and second chemical mechanical polishing processes are then performed, the first stopping at the first CMP stop and the second stopping at the second CMP stop.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetoresistive structure from a magnetoresistive stack that includes a plurality of layers. The method and system include providing a mask that exposes a portion of the magnetoresistive stack. The mask has at least one side, a top, and a base at least as wide as the top. The method and system also include removing the portion of the magnetoresistive stack to define the magnetoresistive structure. The method and system further include providing an insulating layer. A portion of the insulating layer resides on the at least one side of the mask. The method and system further include removing the portion of the insulating layer on the at least one side of the mask and removing the mask.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a tapered write pole as well as a leading edge taper, and independent trailing and side magnetic shields. The method allows the write pole to be constructed by a dry process wherein the write pole material is either deposited by a process such as sputter deposition or electrically plated and the write pole shape is defined by masking and ion milling. The write pole has a stepped feature that can either be used to provide increased magnetic spacing between the trailing shield and the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS or can be magnetic material that increases the effective thickness of the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS. A bump structure can be further built over that stepped feature to enhance field gradient as well as reduce trailing shield saturation.

Abstract: The method provides a magnetoresistive device. The magnetoresistive device is formed from a plurality of magnetoresistive layers. The method includes providing a mask. The mask covers a first portion of the magnetoresistive element layers in at least one device area. The magnetoresistive element(s) are defined using the mask. The method includes depositing hard bias layer(s). The method also includes providing a hard bias capping structure on the hard bias layer(s). The hard bias capping structure includes a first protective layer and a planarization stop layer. The first protective layer resides between the planarization stop layer and the hard bias layer(s). The method also includes performing a planarization. The planarization stop layer is configured for the planarization.