Abstract: Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electro-plated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.

Abstract: A manufacturing process is provided where aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electroplated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.

Abstract: For high track density recording, tighter reader and writer track width control are essential. This has been achieved by using the write gap layer as the plating seed on which the upper pole was electro-formed so that the width of the GMR pedestal serves to define the device's write track width.

Abstract: Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electroplated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.

Abstract: Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electro-plated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.

Abstract: A process for achieving tighter reader and writer track width control is disclosed. The write gap layer is used as the plating seed on which the upper pole is electro-formed. This allows the write gap layer to then be deposited through a precisely controllable process such as sputtering. Since less material needs to be removed during pole trimming, a thinner layer of photoresist may be used, resulting in improved dimensional control.

Abstract: Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electro-plated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.

Abstract: An isolated hole in a photoresist layer is formed by surrounding it with additional, somewhat narrower, dummy hole features. The ratio of feature width to resist thickness is adjusted so that, after development, there is no resist on the floor of the isolated (main) hole whereas a reduced, but finite, thickness of resist remains on the floors of the holes derived from the dummy features. The isolated hole may then be used for etching or electroplating the underlying substrate.

Abstract: For high track density recording, tighter reader and writer track width control are essential. This has been achieved by using the write gap layer as the plating seed on which the upper pole is electro-formed. This allows the write gap layer to be deposited through a precisely controllable process such as sputtering. Since less material needs to be removed during pole trimming, a thinner layer of photoresist may be used. This, in turn, makes possible a lower CD for the structure.

Abstract: Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electro-plated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.