Abstract: Approaches for a magnetic write head having a hybrid material main pole, in which a first magnetic material has a first cross-sectional area (A1) and a second magnetic material has a second cross-sectional area (A2), and wherein the ratio A1/A2 reduces in a direction away from the air bearing surface. The first material comprises a high saturation magnetic flux density material, and the second material comprises a high magnetic permeability and low saturation magnetic flux density material having a lower saturation magnetic flux density than said first material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole having a leading side and a trailing side relative to a downtrack direction, a side gap layer positioned adjacent to the main pole in a crosstrack direction, and a side shield layer positioned adjacent the side gap layer in a crosstrack direction. The downtrack direction is in a direction of medium travel relative to the main pole, the crosstrack direction is perpendicular to the downtrack direction, the side gap layer is characterized by having a groove therein in the downtrack direction having the main pole positioned therein, the side shield is characterized by having a groove formed therein in the downtrack direction having the side gap layer positioned therein, the side gap is non-conformal in shape, and a position of the side shield relative to a position of the main pole is characterized as being self-aligned.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a gap structure that improves write head performance. The write head includes a magnetic write pole and a magnetic shield that is separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer and is separated from the sides of the write pole by non-magnetic side gap layers. The trailing gap extends laterally beyond the side gap layers, and a convex bump is formed at an edge of the magnetic shield at a location near the trailing end of each of the side gap layers.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a shield structure that provides both a leading shield and side shielding function. The magnetic shield is separated from the sides and leading edge of the write pole by a non-magnetic gap layer that has a non-uniform thickness. The non-magnetic gap layer is thicker near the leading edge and thinner at the trailing edge. This allows for increased side field gradient near the trailing edge of the write pole and decreased write field loss at the leading edge of the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a shield structure that provides both a leading shield and side shielding function. The magnetic shield is separated from the sides and leading edge of the write pole by a non-magnetic gap layer that has a non-uniform thickness. The non-magnetic gap layer is thicker near the leading edge and thinner at the trailing edge. This allows for increased side field gradient near the trailing edge of the write pole and decreased write field loss at the leading edge of the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a gap structure that improves write head performance. The write head includes a magnetic write pole and a magnetic shield that is separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer and is separated from the sides of the write pole by non-magnetic side gap layers. The trailing gap extends laterally beyond the side gap layers, and a convex bump is formed an edge of the magnetic shield at a location near the trailing end of the side gap layers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole having a leading side and a trailing side relative to a downtrack direction, a side gap layer positioned adjacent to the main pole in a crosstrack direction, and a side shield layer positioned adjacent the side gap layer in a crosstrack direction. The downtrack direction is in a direction of medium travel relative to the main pole, the crosstrack direction is perpendicular to the downtrack direction, the side gap layer is characterized by having a groove therein in the downtrack direction having the main pole positioned therein, the side shield is characterized by having a groove formed therein in the downtrack direction having the side gap layer positioned therein, the side gap is non-conformal in shape, and a position of the side shield relative to a position of the main pole is characterized as being self-aligned.