Abstract: A system and method for improving the linearity of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a digital waveform generator that generates a digital sequence associated with a desired analog waveform and a pseudo-random noise component that provides a pulse shaped band limited pseudo-random noise sequence. The system further includes a combiner configured to combine the digital sequence and the pulse shaped band limited pseudo-random noise sequence and provide the combined sequence to the DAC.

Abstract: A head including a write element for writing data to a magnetic media, and methods for its production are provided. A write element of the invention includes one or more of a recessed first pole, a heat sink layer, and a shortened yoke length. A method of the invention provides forming an anti-reflective layer before forming a mask layer. During photolithography the anti-reflective layer suppresses undesirable reflections off of features, such as vertical sidewalls, that otherwise limit how closely to such features portions of the mask layer can be formed.