Abstract: A transducer for generating a write signal includes a write gap layer and bottom and top poles. The write gap layer is oriented normal to a media bearing surface. The bottom pole has a first magnetic material inner layer disposed adjacent the write gap layer for coupling the write signal to the media bearing surface. The top pole has a first magnetic material inner layer and a second magnetic material outer layer. The top pole is disposed adjacent the write gap layer on a side opposite the bottom pole at the media bearing surface with the top pole inner layer disposed between the gap layer and the top pole outer layer. The top pole has a constant width at the media bearing surface and couples the write signal to the media bearing surface. A coil passes between the bottom and top poles for inducing the write signal in the poles.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of fabricating a thin film magnetic write transducer and the resulting write transducer structure. The method starts with the formation of a bottom pole of the write transducer on a base layer or substrate. This is followed by the formation of a write gap layer, formation of a coil, and formation a coil insulating layer. A thin top pole inner layer is then deposited over the entire structure. Next, a thick top pole outer layer is formed over the top pole inner layer. Preferably, the top pole outer layer is formed by plating through a photoresist mask that defines the top pole shape. Finally, the top pole inner layer is milled using the top pole outer layer as a mask. The top pole produced by this method has parallel sidewalls that are helpful in writing narrow data tracks. Use of the photoresist mask during plating of the top pole outer layer and ion milling of the top pole inner layer provides good dimensional control of the top pole's width.