Abstract: A magnetic structure is formed by depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon onto the exposed surface of an a first material and depositing a layer of second material onto the layer of diamond-like carbon. A photoresist is applied to the exposed surface of the second layer and is patterned in the form of the desire structure. The exposed portions of the second layer are removed with a wet etchant that does not attack the diamond-like carbon layer. Thereafter, any remaining photoresist is removed.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic transducer supported on a substrate includes a coil that terminates at pads supported on the substrate. A layer of diamond-like carbon material encapsulates the head, substrate and coil, but not the pads. A thin layer of diamond-like carbon is deposited over the exposed portions of the transducer, coil and substrate. Three techniques are described for exposing the pads including employing a photoresist mask, depositing an adhesive layer of silicon over the conductive paths but not the pads, and using a photoresist mask to etch the diamond-like carbon layer over the pads and breaking down the silicon adhesive layer with a design voltage.

Abstract: A magnetic structure is formed by depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon onto the exposed surface of an a first material and depositing a layer of second material onto the layer of diamond-like carbon. A photoresist is applied to the exposed surface of the second layer and is patterned in the form of the desire structure. The exposed portions of the second layer are removed with a wet etchant that does not attack the diamond-like carbon layer. Thereafter, any remaining photoresist is removed.

Abstract: A diamond-like carbon mask is formed on the surface of the magnetic material for ion-milling the magnetic material into a magnetic pole of a transducer. The mask is formed by depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon over the magnetic material. Successive layers of photoresist, SiO.sub.2 and photoresist are applied over the magnetic material. The second layer of photoresist is patterned in the shape of the pole being formed. The exposed insulating layer is etched with an etchant that does not attack the diamond-like carbon, the exposed portions of the photoresist are exposed and removed, and the exposed portion of the diamond-like carbon is etched with an oxygen etchant. The remaining photoresist is washed away to remove the remaining insulating material. In one form of the invention, a layer of SiO.sub.2 may additionally be formed over the diamond-like carbon to protect the diamond-like carbon from being affected by any undercut of the photoresist by the oxygen etchant. The SiO.sub.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic transducer supported on a substrate includes a coil that terminates at pads supported on the substrate. A layer of diamond-like carbon material encapsulates the head, substrate and coil, but not the pads. A thin layer of diamond-like carbon is deposited over the exposed portions of the transducer, coil and substrate. Three techniques are described for exposing the pads including employing a photoresist mask, depositing an adhesive layer of silicon over the conductive paths but not the pads, and using a photoresist mask to etch the diamond-like carbon layer over the pads and breaking down the silicon adhesive layer with a design voltage.

Abstract: The invention is an electroplating apparatus which partially submerges disks in the electrolytic solution, and provides electrical contact to the portions of the disk protruding above the solution. The disks are rotated during plating such that successive portions of the disk emerge from the solution, contact the electrical contact and then re-enter the solution. The disks are inserted into individual disk holders consisting of non-conductive shielding rings attached to a common bracket. The shielding rings are hinged such that the rings may be opened to insert the disks. When the disks are enclosed in the rings, they are supported by small non-conductive support wheels rotatably mounted in the rings. The rings remain stationary as the disks are rotated. To promote even plating, selectively-coated anode sheets are interleaved with the disk holding rings such that each holder has an anode sheet on either side.