Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for recording data having reduced erasure caused by a magnetic field is disclosed. The magnetic write head include a main pole and a conductive coil positioned adjacent the main pole. The conductive coil is insulated from the main pole. The magnetic write head includes means for directing a magnetic field produced by the conductive coil toward the main pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording head for use with magnetic recording media includes an unusually thin main pole. The main pole is made by depositing magnetically permeable material on a nonmagnetic substrate. The main pole is then magnetically coupled with an opposing pole so that the deposited magnetically permeable material is oriented parallel to the recording head's direction of travel.

Abstract: A differential read head comprises one tri-layer reader or a plurality of tri-layer readers operating in a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) mode. The tri-layer readers each comprise a first free layer, a second free layer, and a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween. A nonmagnetic spacer means is positioned between the plurality of tri-layer readers for electrically connecting the plurality of tri-layer readers in series such that a single CPP sense current representing a differential signal flows serially through the read head. With a single tri-layer reader, the free layers are spaced by a width substantially similar to the transition width of the magnetic medium.

Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element is formed at least in part of a magnetic material having a material property that reduces side writing at the magnetic element.

Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element has a first edge closest to the main pole and a second edge furthest from the main pole. Permeability of the magnetic element increases from the first edge to the second edge.

Abstract: A magnetic head for perpendicular recording having reduced side writing and erasing is disclosed. The writer portion of the magnetic head includes a main pole and a return pole. The main pole includes a multilayer main pole tip and a multilayer yoke. The layers of the main pole tip and the yoke are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other with a non-magnetic metal. Antiferromagnetic coupling between the layers of the main pole tip and the yoke dramatically reduces fringing flux emanated from the sides of the main pole intending to close through an upper portion of the return pole. A biasing antiferromagnetic layer is coupled to the upper portion of the return pole to bias the return pole parallel to the air bearing surface. This prevents or reduces the effect of domain wall formation in the return pole, which results in further reduction in side writing and erasing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a recording head using a spin-dependent tunneling (SDT) junction. The SDT junction utilizes an aluminum oxide tunnel barrier. The tunnel barrier can be formed to a thickness comparable with a typical Cu spacer layer on a spin valve. With the SDT junction, current is applied perpendicular to the plane of the film. The SDT junctions can have high magneto-resistance up to 40%. The magnetoresistive qualities of a head design incorporating the SDT junction are not directly related to head resistance, head geometry, bias current and film thickness. The method can include forming a spin tunnel barrier by fashioning a stack into a bottom electrode, defining a junction, depositing a layer of insulator, performing a photoprocess, depositing an upper electrode layer and lifting off the top electrode layer to define the electrode. The stack can include a pinned layer, a barrier layer and a free layer. The pinned layer can include NiFe. The barrier layer can include AlOx.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a top pole of a write element for use in a disc drive storage system, a first trench is formed on a top surface of a bottom pole, the first trench includes a first opening defined by opposing first side walls and an exposed portion of the top surface located therebetween. Next, a second trench is formed within the first trench. The second trench includes a second opening defined by opposing second side walls formed adjacent the first side walls and a gap member formed on the exposed portion of the top surface of the bottom pole between the second side walls. Finally, a top pole is formed in the second opening, which is narrower than the first opening.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating spin valve sensors in accordance with the invention include forming a pinning layer from an antiferromagnetic material and forming a synthetic antiferromagnet adjacent the pinning layer. A free ferromagnetic layer is formed, and exchange tabs are formed adjacent outer portions of the free ferromagnetic layer for biasing the free layer. The exchange tabs are formed from the same antiferromagnetic material as the first pinning layer. Then, the magnetic moments of the synthetic antiferromagnet are set, and the magnetic moment of the free ferromagnetic layer is biased, during a single anneal in the presence of a single magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head having an air bearing surface for confronting a surface of a rotating disc and comprising a pole tip and a generally rounded and substantially planar body attached to the pole tip is disclosed. The width of the pole tip defines a track width of data written to the rotating disc. The generally rounded shape of the top pole body is such that top pole magnetization gradually changes its direction and follows the edges of the body. Further, the pole tip has low remanence, gradual spin structure and no domain walls formed near the pole tip.

Abstract: A transducing head has an air bearing surface and includes a top shield, a bottom shield, a read sensor, and a first flux guide. The top shield has both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion. The non-recessed portion of the top shield extends from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion of the top shield and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion of the top shield. The bottom shield has both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion. The non-recessed portion of the bottom shield extends from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion of the bottom shield and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion of the bottom shield. A length of the non-recessed portion of the top shield is substantially equal to a length of the non-recessed portion of the bottom shield.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a top pole of a write element for use in a disc drive storage system, a first trench is formed on a top surface of a bottom pole, the first trench includes a first opening defined by opposing first side walls and an exposed portion of the top surface located therebetween. Next, a second trench is formed within the first trench. The second trench includes a second opening defined by opposing second side walls formed adjacent the first side walls and a gap member formed on the exposed portion of the top surface of the bottom pole between the second side walls. Finally, a top pole is formed in the second opening, which is narrower than the first opening.

Abstract: A writer pole and a method for fabricating a writer pole is disclosed. The method comprises fabricating a conductive seed layer on a gap substrate and then fabricating a nonmagnetic feature on the seed layer where the nonmagnetic feature has a top layer and a plurality of sides. The seed layer and nonmagnetic feature are covered with photoresist. A window is fabricated in the photoresist, exposing a portion of the nonmagnetic feature and a portion of the seed layer, thereby exposing a top portion and a side portion of the nonmagnetic feature and exposing a portion of the seed layer. The portion of the seed layer in the window area is removed from the gap substrate. A pole is fabricated on the top and side portions of the nonmagnetic feature in the window area.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducing head first requires the deposition of a bottom shield, a bottom thick gap, a bottom thin gap, a sensor, a first flux guide, a top thin gap, a top thick gap, and a top shield. After each of the layers is deposited, an air bearing portion of both the top and bottom thick gaps is removed, such that a length of the air bearing portion of the top thick gap is substantially equal to a length of the air bearing portion of the bottom thick gap. Next, an air bearing shield is deposited over the air bearing surface, the air bearing shield being in contact with the top and bottom shields, the top and bottom thick gaps, the top and bottom thin gaps, and the flux guide. Finally, the air bearing surface of the transducing head is planarized, resulting in the top and bottom thin gaps and the first flux guide each being exposed at the air bearing surface.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field stored upon magnetically-enclosable material with a semiconductor/metal read head. A region of the magnetically-encodable material is brought in proximity to a semiconductor mass with at least one conductive region embedded therein. An electrical current is directed through the semiconductor mass, flowing in a direction approximately parallel to the magnetically-encodable material. The semiconductor mass is magnetically biased. The biasing magnetic field is approximately perpendicular to the magnetically-encodable material. Finally, a change in resistance to current flowing through the semiconductor mass is detected. The change in resistance indicates magnitude and direction of the magnetic field stored upon the magnetically-encodable material.

Abstract: A writing element includes a writing pole, a conducting coil and an insulating material. The writing pole includes a pole tip and extends therefrom to a back gap region. The conducting coil includes coil segments positioned adjacent and transverse to the writing pole. The coil segments are adapted to produce magnetic signals that orient magnetization vectors at the pole tip of the writing pole in a desired direction. The insulating material is formed between the writing pole and the coil segments. Magnetic signals do not conduct to the back gap region through a return pole element.

Abstract: A beveled writing pole includes a top portion, a beveled portion, and a throat portion. The top portion has an end that defines a writing pole tip. The beveled portion adjoins the top portion and has a bevel that extends from the writing pole tip and increases a thickness of the writing pole proximate the pole tip. The throat portion is formed of the top and beveled portions and has tapered sides that extend from the writing pole tip and increase a width of the writing pole proximate the writing pole tip. A method of forming the beveled writing pole is also presented.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating spin valve sensors in accordance with the invention include forming a pinning layer from an antiferromagnetic material and forming a synthetic antiferromagnet adjacent the pinning layer. A free ferromagnetic layer is formed, and exchange tabs are formed adjacent outer portions of the free ferromagnetic layer for biasing the free layer. The exchange tabs are formed from the same antiferromagnetic material as the first pinning layer. Then, the magnetic moments of the synthetic antiferromagnet are set, and the magnetic moment of the free ferromagnetic layer is biased, during a single anneal in the presence of a single magnetic field.

Abstract: A spin valve sensor is disclosed that comprises a first layer of ferromagnetic material and a second layer of ferromagnetic material. A first layer of non-ferromagnetic material is positioned between the first and second layers of ferromagnetic material. A pinning layer is positioned adjacent to the first layer of ferromagnetic material such that the pinning layer is in contact with the first layer of ferromagnetic material. The spin valve includes synthetic antiferromagnetic bias means extending over passive end regions of the second layer of ferromagnetic material for producing a longitudinal bias in the passive end regions of a level sufficient to maintain the passive end regions in a single domain state. A method for forming a spin valve sensor with exchange tabs is also disclosed.