Abstract: A magnetic write head having a vertically laminated back gap structure and method of making the same are disclosed. The magnetic head is formed with lower and upper pole pieces and a back gap structure which connects the lower and the upper pole pieces in a back gap region. In one illustrative example, the back gap is a vertically laminated structure having alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials. Each alternating layer is perpendicular to both the lower and the upper pole pieces. This vertically laminated structure significantly reduces the eddy currents in the back gap region at high operating frequencies as the layers are oriented in a direction parallel with the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a tunnel valve sensor, a first shield coupled to a first end of the tunnel valve sensor, and a second shield coupled to a second end of the tunnel valve sensor. A first connecting column electrically couples the first shield to a first read pad, and a second connecting column electrically couples the second shield to a second read pad. However, the first connecting column is magnetically uncoupled from the first shield and the second connecting column is magnetically uncoupled from the second shield. Advantageously, this eliminates or substantially reduces the influence of the connecting columns (which may be made in part from the same magnetic materials as the pole pieces) on the magnetic properties of the shields. In one example, the first connecting column is offset from the first shield and is coupled to it through a first connecting neck, and similarly the second connecting column is offset from the second shield and is coupled to it through a second connecting neck.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a soft ferromagnetic film structure with reduced edge stress anisotropy and enhanced magnetization switching speed. A soft ferromagnetic film structure is formed over an underlying structure. The soft ferromagnetic film structure has one or more edges exhibiting edge stress anisotropy. A non-ferromagnetic film structure is formed along the one or more edges to induce stress contributions therein that control the edge stress anisotropy.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a soft ferromagnetic film structure with reduced edge stress anisotropy and enhanced magnetization switching speed. A soft ferromagnetic film structure is formed over an underlying structure. The soft ferromagnetic film structure has one or more edges exhibiting edge stress anisotropy. A non-ferromagnetic film structure is formed along the one or more edges to induce stress contributions therein that control the edge stress anisotropy.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a vertically laminated back gap structure and method of making the same are disclosed. The magnetic head is formed with lower and upper pole pieces and a back gap structure which connects the lower and the upper pole pieces in a back gap region. In one illustrative example, the back gap is a vertically laminated structure having alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials. Each alternating layer is perpendicular to both the lower and the upper pole pieces. This vertically laminated structure significantly reduces the eddy currents in the back gap region at high operating frequencies as the layers are oriented in a direction parallel with the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a tunnel valve sensor, a first shield coupled to a first end of the tunnel valve sensor, and a second shield coupled to a second end of the tunnel valve sensor. A first connecting column electrically couples the first shield to a first read pad, and a second connecting column electrically couples the second shield to a second read pad. However, the first connecting column is magnetically uncoupled from the first shield and the second connecting column is magnetically uncoupled from the second shield. Advantageously, this eliminates or substantially reduces the influence of the connecting columns (which may be made in part from the same magnetic materials as the pole pieces) on the magnetic properties of the shields. In one example, the first connecting column is offset from the first shield and is coupled to it through a first connecting neck, and similarly the second connecting column is offset from the second shield and is coupled to it through a second connecting neck.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a soft ferromagnetic film structure with reduced edge stress anisotropy and enhanced magnetization switching speed. A soft ferromagnetic film structure is formed over an underlying structure. The soft ferromagnetic film structure has one or more edges exhibiting edge stress anisotropy. A non-ferromagnetic film structure is formed along the one or more edges to induce stress contributions therein that control the edge stress anisotropy.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a soft ferromagnetic film structure with reduced edge stress anisotropy and enhanced magnetization switching speed. A soft ferromagnetic film structure is formed over an underlying structure. The soft ferromagnetic film structure has one or more edges exhibiting edge stress anisotropy. A non-ferromagnetic film structure is formed along the one or more edges to induce stress contributions therein that control the edge stress anisotropy.