Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for writing magnetically encoded data. A servo module positions a write head relative to a first land such that a first edge of the write head is positioned substantially over a first land edge of the first land. The write head has a radial width greater than the sum of a radial width of the first land and radial widths of interior and exterior grooves such that the write head is also positioned over at least a portion of a second adjacent land. The write head writes magnetically encoded data to the first land. The servo module further positions the write head relative to a second land such that the first edge of the write head is positioned substantially over a second land edge of the second land and the write head is not positioned over the first land.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetic transducer with separated read and write heads for perpendicular recording. The write head has a trailing shield that extends from the return pole piece toward the main pole piece to form the write gap at the air-bearing surface. One embodiment of the trailing shield is a two part structure with a pedestal and a much smaller tip that confronts the main pole piece at the gap. In one embodiment a sink of non-magnetic, electrically conductive material is disposed in the separation gap between the read head and the flux bearing pole piece. The sink is preferably made of copper and does not extend to the ABS.