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: Embodiments of the present invention recite a write gap structure for a magnetic recording head. In one embodiment, the write gap structure comprises at least one layer of inert material is disposed proximate to the P2 pole of a magnetic recording head. A layer of magnetic material is disposed between the layer of inert material and the P1 pedestal (P1P) of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, the write gap structure further comprises a second layer of inert material is disposed between the layer of magnetic material and the P1P of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, the write gap structure only overlies a portion of the write gap of the magnetic recording head with reference to the throat height dimension of the write gap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a process for fabricating a write gap structure for a magnetic recording head. In one embodiment, at least one layer of inert material is deposited which is disposed proximate to the P2 pole of a magnetic recording head. A layer of magnetic material is deposited which is disposed between the layer of inert material and the P1 pedestal (P1P) of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, a second layer of inert material is deposited which is disposed between the layer of magnetic material and the P1P of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, the throat height of the write gap structure is defined wherein the layer of magnetic material and the inert layer only overlie a portion of the P1 pedestal of the magnetic recording head.

Abstract: A perpendicular write head for writing data onto tracks includes a main pole, a trailing shield and bilayer trailing shield gap layer between the main pole and the trailing shield and improving writing and track width control.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a write pole for perpendicular magnetic recording for accurately defining a side shield throat height and write pole flare point. The method includes the formation of a magnetic structure that provides an electronic lapping guide as well as providing the structure for both the side shields and the write pole. The magnetic structure includes a write pole portion and first and second side shield portions. The side shields portions are magnetically connected with the write pole portion in a region in front of an intended air hearing surface plane (e.g. in the direction from which lapping will progress). The side shields portions are each separated from the write pole portion in a region behind the intended air bearing surface plane by notches that terminate at a desired location relative to the intended air bearing surface plane and which open up in a region behind the intended air bearing surface plane.

Abstract: A magnetic structure for use in a perpendicular magnetic write head that prevents magnetic domain formation and reduces magnetic remanence in the structure. The magnetic structure includes magnetic layers sandwiched between thin non-magnetic layers. Each of the magnetic layers includes a relatively thicker layer of CoFe sandwiched between relatively thinner layers of NiFe.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating perpendicular write elements for perpendicular magnetic recording heads are discussed. In write element fabrication, write poles are fabricated according to one of many desired methods. The write poles during fabrication are typically covered by a hard mask and a photolithographic soft mask. According to the methods described herein, the soft mask is removed such as by chemical etching. The hard mask is then removed, such as by CMP and ion etching, to expose the write poles. Shield gap material may then be deposited on the write poles to define the shield gap between the write poles and the trailing shields. Trailing shield material may then be deposited on the shield gap material to form the trailing shields corresponding with the write poles.

Abstract: A magnetic structure for use in a perpendicular magnetic write head that prevents magnetic domain formation and reduces magnetic remanence in the structure. The magnetic structure includes magnetic layers sandwiched between thin non-magnetic layers. Each of the magnetic layers includes a relatively thicker layer of CoFe sandwiched between relatively thinner layers of NiFe.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the embodiments of the present invention employ an in-situ particle decontamination technique that allows for such decontamination while a wafer is a vacuum tool or deposition chamber, thereby eliminating the need for another device for performing decontamination. This in-situ decontamination is effective for particle contamination resulting, for example, from tool resident mechanical component. Furthermore, particle decontamination is performed in the presence of plasma, having a potential for helping to maximize a “self bias” voltage, under RF conditions, and is integrated into the vacuum process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a single-pole perpendicular magnetic recording head to contain a bevel angle promotion layer that facilitates the fabrication of the bevel angle in a trapezoidal main pole. The bevel angle promotion layer is made of a non-magnetic material that is softer than the material (e.g., Al2O3) that normally underlies the main pole. In one embodiment, the bevel angle promotion layer is formed between an end of the yoke and the air bearing surface (ABS), with the top surface of the bevel angle promotion layer being substantially coplanar wit the top surface of the yoke. In other embodiment the bevel angle promotion layer is integrated with a leading edge taper material, which is formed of a magnetic material, to broaden the magnetic flux path between the yoke and the main pole.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a write pole with a concave trailing edge. The magnetic write pole can have a trapezoidal shape with first and second laterally opposed sides that are further apart at the trailing edge than at the leading edge. The write head may or may not include a magnetic trailing shield, and if a trailing shield is included it is separated from the trailing edge by a non-magnetic write gap layer. The concave trailing edge improves magnetic performance such as by improving the transition curvature. A method for constructing the write head includes forming a magnetic write pole by forming a mask structure over a deposited write pole material, the mask structure having an alumina hard mask and an image transfer layer such as DURAMIDE®. An alumina fill layer is then deposited and a chemical mechanical polish is performed to open up the image transfer layer.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a laminated write pole with improved low saturation field.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a write head for perpendicular recording is provided. The write head has a pole, a shield in proximity to the pole, and a gap between the pole and the shield. The method includes forming a pole layer on an undercoat layer, forming a mask over at least a portion of the pole layer, and forming the pole by removing material from the pole layer. The pole has a top surface, a first side, and a second side. The method further includes forming a first gap portion of the gap along the first side and along the second side of the pole, forming a protective layer over at least a portion of the first gap portion, removing the mask, and removing the protective layer. The method further includes forming a second gap portion of the gap over at least the top surface of the pole and forming the shield over at least the second gap portion.

Abstract: A write element for perpendicular recording in a data storage system is fabricated to maintain the thickness of a side shield at both edges of a pole P3, and to form the pole P3 in a trapezoidal shape. Forming a side shield around the pole P3 removes stray fields, creating a quiet, noise-free write element and preventing side erasure. The fabrication method utilizes a magnetic buffer layer to protect a shield gap during trim of the pole P3, and thus to provide the shield gap with a uniform thickness. The magnetic buffer layer also protects the shield gap and pole P3 when the top hard mask is removed. Consequently, the write field is made uniform across the track width. The fabrication method uses a metal in the shield gap to improve the pole geometry after pole trim and to provide a uniform edge to the pole P3.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a magnetic head that includes a magnetoresistive read sensor disposed between a first magnetic shield and a second magnetic shield. The second magnetic shield is configured to reduce effects on the read sensor due to unevenness in a topography of the read sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a process for fabricating a write gap structure for a magnetic recording head. In one embodiment, at least one layer of inert material is deposited which is disposed proximate to the P2 pole of a magnetic recording head. A layer of magnetic material is deposited which is disposed between the layer of inert material and the P1 pedestal (P1P) of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, a second layer of inert material is deposited which is disposed between the layer of magnetic material and the P1P of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, the throat height of the write gap structure is defined wherein the layer of magnetic material and the inert layer only overlie a portion of the P1 pedestal of the magnetic recording head.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a write gap structure for a magnetic recording head. In one embodiment, the write gap structure comprises at least one layer of inert material is disposed proximate to the P2 pole of a magnetic recording head. A layer of magnetic material is disposed between the layer of inert material and the P1 pedestal (P1P) of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, the write gap structure further comprises a second layer of inert material is disposed between the layer of magnetic material and the P1P of the magnetic recording head. In embodiments of the present invention, the write gap structure only overlies a portion of the write gap of the magnetic recording head with reference to the throat height dimension of the write gap.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of the trailing shield gap during perpendicular head fabrication and head formed thereby are disclosed. The in-situ trailing shield gap deposition process removes the pre-sputter process that can damage the write pole material. Further, a seed pre-layer is formed on top of the trailing shield gap to absorb any non-uniformity of the trailing shield gap and to control issues resulting from the pre-sputter process originating from the trailing shield seed deposition.

Abstract: A perpendicular write head includes a main pole comprising high moment magnetic layers laminated with both soft magnetic layers and non-magnetic layers for antiferromagnetic coupling (AFC) between the high moment material layers.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a laminated write pole with improved low saturation field.