Abstract: A thin film magnetic write head is provided wherein the write head has a pole tip region between a planar air bearing surface (ABS) and a zero throat level and a back region which extends back from the zero throat level to and including a back gap. The write head has a yoke which includes top and bottom magnetic poles. Each pole has a pole tip structure in the pole tip region and a back portion in the back region. The pole tip structure of the bottom pole has bottom and top pole tip elements PT1a and PT1b and the pole tip structure of the top pole has a top and bottom pole tip elements PT2a and PT2b. The pole tip elements PT1b and PT2b are located between the pole tip elements PT1a and PT2a and a gap layer G is located between the pole tip elements PT1b and PT2b. Each of the pole tip elements PT1b and PT2b and the gap layer G are bounded by front and back walls and first and second sidewalls.