Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The magnetic write head includes a write pole having a pole tip region and a flared region. The write pole also has a trailing, wrap-around magnetic shield that is separated from the sides of the write pole by a non-magnetic side gap layer. The write head is formed such that the side gap spacing is larger in the flared region than in the pole tip region. This varying gap spacing can be formed by depositing a non-magnetic material using a collimated sputter deposition aligned substantially perpendicular to the air bearing surface. This collimated sputtering deposits the non-magnetic material more readily on the sides of the write pole in the flared region than in the pole tip region.

Abstract: A structure and method for performing magnetic inductance testing of write heads formed on a wafer. The structure and method allows for the effective inductive testing of magnetic write heads at wafer level even if the write heads have an inductance that is too low to be effectively measured directly. A test head is constructed having a structure similar to that of the write heads, but having a significantly higher magnetic inductance. The higher magnetic inductance of the write head can be provided by extending the shaping layer to or beyond the air bearing surface plane ABS. The inductance of the test head can be further increased by increasing the width of the portion of the shaping layer that extends to the ABS (ie. shaping layer throat) and by increasing the width of the write pole throat.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head is formed on the trailing surface of a head carrier or slider that has an air-bearing surface (ABS) oriented generally parallel to the surface of the disk during operation of the disk drive. The write head has a slanted ferromagnetic write pole (WP) that forms an angle between about 5 and 20 degrees from a normal to the ABS. The slanted WP is formed over the generally planar surface of the ferromagnetic main pole and the slanted surface of a support layer located between the ABS and the recessed end of the main pole. A trailing shield (TS) has a slanted face that is generally parallel to and spaced from the slanted WP, with a nonmagnetic gap layer located between the slanted face of the TS and the slanted WP.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a stepped trailing shield. The stepped trailing shield is formed by forming a non-magnetic bump over a write pole prior to electroplating a wrap-around magnetic shield. The method allows the location of the front edge of the bump relative to the back edge of the wrap-around shield to be monitored by measuring the electrical resistance of an electrical lapping guide formed concurrently with these features. This concurrent formation of a lapping guide can be used to define the relative location of other features as well, such as the location of a back edge of a wrap-around shield relative to a flare point of a write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a write coil configured to dissipate heat away from the write head to minimize thermal protrusion. The write coil is formed as a helical coil having upper and lower leads that are connected by electrically conductive studs formed therebetween. The first and leads extend beyond the studs to form heat conducting fins that conduct heat away from the write head where it can be dissipated into surrounding structure.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording having a notched write pole for reduced magnetic core width (MCW) dependence on skew. The write pole is configured with a notch that can extend to or slightly beyond the flare point of the write pole, and is formed on the leading portion of the write pole. The notch can have a notch depth, as measured from the ABS of 50-200 nm or about 120 nm. The notch can have a notch height, measured in the down track direction that is 40-90 nm or 20-90 percent of the write pole height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing improved flux focusing in a write head is disclosed. The present invention uses a diamagnetic material to provide flux focusing in a storage device. An embodiment of the present invention includes diamagnetic material having a magnetic susceptibility substantially equal to or greater than 1×10?5. Another embodiment of the present invention includes diamagnetic material selected from a group comprising graphite and bismuth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a stair notch and a gap bump at a pole tip in a write head is disclosed. A protective plated layer is formed over the bump to prevent the bump form being damaged during formation of the notch at the pole tip. The flux from the second pole outside of the track will be effectively channeled to the first pole piece under the alumina bump.

Abstract: A magnetic structure for use in a magnetic head for avoiding wide angle track erasure and other forms of adjacent track interference. The magnetic structure includes a trailing shield having a specially configured back edge opposite the air bearing surface ABS. The magnetic shield has a shallow substantially constant throat height at a center portion. Then, the back edge of the shield tapers back away from the ABS in first and second intermediate portion located at either side of the center portion. These intermediate portions lead to first and second outer portions that have substantially constant throat heights that are larger than the throat height at the center region. The throat height at each of the laterally outer portions can be 1.5 to 5 times the throat height of the center portion. This configuration, chokes off stray fields that might be picked up by the outer portions of the shield preventing excessive magnetic flux from reaching the central portion of the shield where it might affect writing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method includes forming a write pole, and then depositing a refill layer. A mask structure can be formed over the writ pole and refill layer, the mask structure being configured to define a stitched pole. An ion milling or reactive ion milling can then be performed to remove portions of the refill layer that are not protected by the mask structure. Then a magnetic material can be deposited to form a stitched write pole that defines a secondary flare point. The stitched pole can also be self aligned with an electrical lapping guide in order to accurately locate the front edge of the secondary flare point relative to the air bearing surface of the write head.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording having a write pole that is sandwiched between first and second magnetic shaping layers. The split shaping layers allow a laminated shaping layer structure allows a manufacturable laminated shaping layer to be constructed for improved data rate. One of the magnetic shaping layers can be formed as a laminated structure while that other can be a single layer of electroplated magnetic material. The shaping layers can be separated from the write pole by a thin layer of non-magnetic material to form a laminated interface between the write pole and the shaping layers. These features reduce magnetic domains and also reduce eddy currents which advantageously improves data rate.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording having a trailing shield with a two step throat height. The trailing shield is formed over a non-magnetic bump that forms a notch in the leading edge of the trailing shield. This notch defines a first, smaller throat height closest to the write pole and a larger throat height away from the write pole. The smaller throat height near the write pole prevents excess magnetic flux from leaking to the write pole, thereby ensuring efficient strong write field. The larger trailing shield throat height away from the write pole prevents magnetic saturation oft the trailing shield and also greatly facilitates manufacturing avoiding problems related to variations and deviations in manufacturing processes used to define the trailing shield.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method allows the write head to be formed with a write pole having a concave trailing edge. The method further allows the amount of concavity of the trailing edge to be accurately and carefully controlled both within a wafer and between wafers. A write pole is formed using a mask that includes a hard mask, a RIEable layer and an endpoint detection layer. A layer of non-magnetic material (ALD layer) is deposited, and then, an ion milling process is used to remove a portion of the ALD layer disposed over the write pole and mask. A reactive ion etch process is performed to remove the RIEable layer leaving the ALD layer to form non-magnetic side walls with upper portions that extend above the write pole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a pole tip structure having a shape for preventing over saturation of the pole tip structure is disclosed. A cap layer having a tail structure for reducing the saturation of the cap layer is formed over the pole structure. The tail structure includes an angled surface that can vary between approximately 15° and 65°.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method allows the write head to be formed with a write pole having a concave trailing edge. The method further allows the amount of concavity of the trailing edge to be accurately and carefully controlled both within a wafer and between wafers. A write pole is formed using a mask that includes a hard mask, a RIEable layer and an endpoint detection layer. A layer of non-magnetic material (ALD layer) h deposited, and then, an ion milling process is used to remove a portion of the ALD layer disposed over the write pole and mask. A reactive ion etch process is performed to remove the RIEable layer leaving the ALD layer to form non-magnetic side walls with upper portions that extend above the write pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head has a main pole and return poles that are substantially coplanar. The write head includes a main pole, two return poles and a connecting stud that are all formed as a single layer in a single deposition and patterning step. The coplanar main and return poles lie in a plane parallel to the cross-track direction. The two return poles are thus spaced from the main pole in the cross-track direction. The main pole includes a write pole connected to it but lying in a plane spaced in the along-the-track direction from the plane of the main pole. The write head includes a helical coil wrapped around the main pole. The magnetic flux path is from the write pole to the disk recording layer in a data track aligned with the write pole, to the disk underlayer beneath the recording layer, through the underlayer to data tracks spaced cross-track from the data track aligned with the write pole, and back through the return poles.

Abstract: A structure and method for performing magnetic inductance testing of write heads formed on a wafer. The structure and method allows for the effective inductive testing of magnetic write heads at wafer level even if the write heads have an inductance that is too low to be effectively measured directly. A test head is constructed having a structure similar to that of the write heads, but having a significantly higher magnetic inductance. The higher magnetic inductance of the write head can be provided by extending the shaping layer to or beyond the air bearing surface plane ABS. The inductance of the test head can be further increased by increasing the width of the portion of the shaping layer that extends to the ABS (ie. shaping layer throat) and by increasing the width of the write pole throat.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording that is resistant to write pole and trailing shield protrusion. The write pole includes a magnetic return pole that is magnetically connected with the trailing shield, the return pole being resistant to deformation or recession such as from mechanically abrasive slider cleaning operations such as soda blast.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording that has a helical coil design that reduces manufacturing complexity and increases cycle time for manufacture. The write head includes a write pole and a helical write coil having upper coil portions that pass above the write pole and lower coil portions that pass below the write pole. The upper and lower coil portions are connected with another by connection studs. Whereas the upper and lower coil portions are constructed of a non-magnetic, electrically conductive material such as Cu, the connection studs are constructed of a magnetic, electrically conductive material such as NiFe. By constructing the connection studs of a magnetic material, they can be constructed in the same manufacturing steps used to manufacture various magnetic structures of the write head, such as a magnetic shaping layer and/or the back gap.

Abstract: A magnetic head having an improved fringing field and overwrite capability, and a method of making the same, are described.