Abstract: A method for preventing TMR (tunnel magneto-resistance) MRR (magneto-resistance resistance) drop of a slider, comprises steps of: positioning a row bar constructed by a plurality of slider structural bodies on a tray, each slider body having a pole tip with a TMR element; loading the tray into a processing chamber and evacuating the processing chamber to a preset pressure; introducing a processing gas containing oxygen gas into the processing chamber; and exposing the slider structural bodies to an etching means in the atmosphere of the processing gas to oxidize a surface of the TMR element to form an oxidation layer thereon. The invention also discloses a method for forming micro-texture on a surface of slider in same process, and a method for forming such a slider.

Abstract: A method for independently controlling track width and bevel angle of a write pole tip having a P3 pole tip for perpendicular recording. The method includes establishing the track width in a portion of the P3 layer material. A portion of this portion having the established track width is protected by providing a temporary masking material to make a protected portion. At least one unprotected portion is left exposed to be shaped. This unprotected portion is then beveled to produce at least one beveled portion having a bevel angle. The protected portion produces a rectangular portion which together with the beveled portion produce a hexagonal pole tip. Also a magnetic head having a hexagonal pole tip, and a disk drive having a magnetic head having a hexagonal pole tip.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a method for bonding slider row bars for a photolithography process. A holding device having a sticky surface is formed. A plurality of slider row bars is provided, with each having a first surface for forming an air bearing surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The slider row bars are secured to the holding device with their first surfaces facing the sticky surface so that the first surfaces of the slider row bars are aligned each other. The slider row bars are bonded together by an encapsulating glue. A carrier is provided, and the carrier is bonded to the second surfaces of the slider row bars. The holding device is removed. The example embodiments also can be used to manufacture sliders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adjusting recession of an element, such as a pole tip, in a transducer structure formed in a plurality of thin film layers on an edge of a slider. A pre-stressed structure is formed as part of the plurality of thin film layers on the edge of the slider. The pre-stressed structure has a level of material stress. The recession is measured relative to a bearing surface of the slider, and then the level of material stress is adjusted as a function of the measured to effect a corresponding change in the recession.

Abstract: A method for bonding slider row bars for photolithography process, includes steps of: providing a first carrier plate having a sticky surface; providing slider row bars each having a first surface for forming ABS and an opposite second surface, and securing each slider row bar to the first carrier plate with its first surface facing the sticky surface; providing an encapsulation glue and dispensing it to the second surfaces and gaps between the slider row bars; providing a second carrier plate and attaching it to the second surfaces through the encapsulation glue; irradiating the first carrier plate and the encapsulation glue with ultraviolet light such that the first carrier plate is removed from the slider row bars, and the encapsulation glue is cured to bond the slider row bars with the second carrier plate together.

Abstract: A method of fabrication is disclosed for a slider having sites for fabrication of a continuous coil having a set of front coils and a set of back coils and a center tab, where the slider includes underpass leads.

Abstract: A nano-sized CPP aperture is precisely positioned to within a few nanometers of a slider ABS surface to maximize a signal from the disk and to prevent lapping damage to the aperture itself. A linear array of apertures is aligned perpendicular to the ABS plane. The head resistance is monitored during lapping. Each time an aperture is lapped through, there is an increase in head resistance that is equal to the inverse of the total aperture area. There are three equal-sized apertures that are evenly spaced apart. When the first aperture is lapped through, there is a 50% increase in resistance, and a 100% increase in resistance when the second aperture is lapped through. These resistance increases are very large and are easy to distinguish from noise.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a CPP read head for a magnetic disk drive having an electrical isolation layer. The method includes providing a first shield layer, depositing a sensor stack on the first shield layer, a CMP stop layer is deposited on the sensor stack, and a release layer is deposited a on the CMP stop layer. Photoresist material containing Si is deposited on the release layer, and the photoresist material is then patterned and then oxidized by Reactive Ion Etching to form a high temperature photomask. The electrical isolation layer is then deposited to surround the sensor stack using a high temperature deposition process. The read head is then continued as either an in-stack bias sensor with ‘draped shield’ variation, or a hard bias stabilization variation.

Abstract: A method for fabricating sliders (magnetic heads) with a recessed surface around a magnetic feature such as the active components of the write head on the air-bearing surface (ABS) is described. An embodiment of the method applies a positive photoresist to the exposed ABS surface, a magnetic field is applied, then liquid ferrofluid is applied on top of the photoresist. The pole pieces around the write gap will interact with the applied magnetic field so that the field gradient is highest around the write gap and the mobile ferrofluid will preferentially collect in the areas of the surface having the highest magnetic field gradient. The opaque magnetic particles in the ferrofluid form an optical ferrofluid mask over the photoresist around the write gap. The unmasked surface of the slider is milled which results in the recession of material around the write gap.

Abstract: A perpendicular write pole having dual gap layers is disclosed. An outer gap layer, resistant to etching and corrosion in alkaline solutions protects the inner gap layer during photo resist development. An inner gap layer, resistant to acid etch conditions, protects the magnetic pole materials during removal of portions of the outer gap layer prior to electroplating of the pole to form the flare point.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of the write head of a perpendicular recording head allows for production of P3 pole tips of width less than 200 nm (200×10?9 meters). The method includes fabricating the P2 flux shaping layer, depositing the P3 layer, depositing a layer of ion-milling resistant material, depositing at least one sacrificial layer, shaping the P3 layer into P3 pole tip, removing the at least one sacrificial layer to leave the P3 pole tip, and encapsulating the P3 pole tip.

Abstract: A high performance TMR element is fabricated by inserting an oxygen surfactant layer (OSL) between a pinned layer and AlOx tunnel barrier layer in a bottom spin valve configuration. The pinned layer preferably has a SyAP configuration with an outer pinned layer, a Ru coupling layer, and an inner pinned layer comprised of CoFeXBY/CoFeZ wherein x=0 to 70 atomic %, y=0 to 30 atomic %, and z=0 to 100 atomic %. The OSL is formed by treating the CoFez layer with oxygen plasma. The AlOx tunnel barrier has improved uniformity of about 2% across a 6 inch wafer and can be formed from an Al layer as thin as 5 Angstroms. As a result, the Hin value can be decreased by ? to about 32 Oe. A dR/R of 25% and a RA of 3 ohm-cm2 have been achieved for TMR read head applications.

Abstract: A main pole forming method is provided. The main pole forming method includes etching an exposed side face of a main pole layer, and the plated foundation film, thereby defining a recording track width. The method also includes etching the nonmagnetic insulating layer, and reattaching a material repelled from the nonmagnetic insulating layer to the side face of the main pole layer and a side face of the plated foundation film.

Abstract: A method for providing a magnetic recording transducer is disclosed. The method includes providing a first pole having front and rear portions and a back gap on the rear portion. The method also includes providing an insulator on the first pole. The method includes providing a write gap and providing a portion of a second pole on at least the write gap. A portion of the write gap resides on the front portion of the first pole. A portion of the insulator covers a portion of the first pole between the portion of the second pole and the back gap. The method also includes providing a mask that covers the back gap and exposes the portion of the second pole and the insulator. The method also includes performing a pole trim that can substantially remove the portion of the insulator covering the remaining portion of the first pole.

Abstract: Two trim/notch milling steps are used to refine the track width that is defined by the second pole piece tip of a write head. The second milling step uses feedback gained after the first milling step to refine the P2B (pole P2 bottom width) dimension. A final milling step may be conducted after receiving feedback from the result of the second trim/notch milling step.

Abstract: A GMR read head for a magnetic head, in which the hard bias layers are fabricated immediately next to the side edges of the free magnetic layer, and such that the midplane of the hard bias layer and the midplane of the free magnetic layer are approximately coplanar. The positioning of the hard bias layer is achieved by depositing a thick hard bias seedlayer, followed by an ion milling step is to remove seed layer sidewall deposits. Thereafter, the hard bias layer is deposited on top of the thick seed layer. Alternatively, a first portion of the hard bias seed layer is deposited, followed by an ion milling step to remove sidewall deposits. A thin second portion of the seed layer is next deposited, and the hard bias layer is then deposited.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head wafer includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface which are substantially parallel to each other. An electrical/magnetic transducer is provided on the first principal surface. Identification information is recorded on the first principal surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording that includes a pole layer and a pole-layer-encasing layer. The method includes the steps of: forming a nonmagnetic layer that will be formed into the pole-layer-encasing layer; forming a polishing stopper layer on the top surface of the nonmagnetic layer, the polishing stopping layer being made of a nonmagnetic conductive material and having a penetrating opening with a shape corresponding to the plane geometry of the pole layer; forming a groove in the nonmagnetic layer by selectively etching a portion of the nonmagnetic layer exposed from the opening; forming a magnetic layer to be the pole layer such that the groove is filled; and polishing the magnetic layer until the polishing stopper layer is exposed, so that the magnetic layer is formed into the pole layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular write head includes a main pole comprising a Durimide/Alumina hard mask formed over a laminate layer process to form the main pole without using a liftoff or chemical mechanical polishing process, thereby avoiding rounding corners of the pole, the main pole being controlled in shape for improved control of critical dimension of track width and angle of the bevel to avoid undesirable adjacent track writing.

Abstract: One illustrative method of fabricating a read sensor of a magnetic head includes the steps of forming a plurality of read sensor layers on a wafer; etching the read sensor layers to form a read sensor structure with a trench in front of the read sensor structure; forming a highly porous material within the trench; and slicing the wafer and lapping the sliced wafer through the highly porous material until an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head is reached. Advantageously, the highly porous material in front of the read sensor structure reduces mechanical stress on the read sensor during the lapping process. This reduces the likelihood that the amplitude of the read sensor will be degraded or set in a “flipped” or reversed orientation, as well as reduces the likelihood that electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to the read sensor will occur.

Abstract: A method of temporarily protecting an electrically sensitive component from damage due to electrostatic discharge is disclosed. The method includes the steps of defining a first shield that forms a first lead for both a component and a shunt; depositing a conductive material on the first shield to form the component and the shunt; defining an edge of the component and an edge of the shunt together in a single masking step; refilling with insulation adjacent the component and the shunt to their respective edges on the first shield; defining a second shield on both the component and the shunt that forms a second lead for both the component and the shunt to form a shunted assembly that electrically protects the component; lapping the shunted assembly; and removing a portion of the shunted assembly to remove the shunt and form an electrical open for an unshunted assembly.

Abstract: A slider manufacturing method includes: providing a row bar constructed from multiple slider bodies having a surface for forming an air bearing surface (ABS); forming multiple cutting lines on the surface for forming an ABS of the row bar; forming a stress absorption region adjacent to the cut line in a cutting region defined by two adjacent cutting lines; grinding the surface for forming an ABS of the row bar; and cutting the row bar along the cutting lines to form multiple individual sliders. When the row bar is cut by a cutter into multiple individual sliders along the cutting lines, stress generated in the cutting region adjacent to cutting lines during cutting is partly or fully absorbed by the stress absorption region, reducing the chances of clear edge jumps forming at the edges of the ABS of the slider after the cutting, and disk surface scratching by the slider.

Abstract: Methods for forming write heads. One method includes forming a mask layer above a pole tip layer; forming a layer of resist above the mask layer; patterning the resist; removing portions of the mask layer not covered by the patterned resist; shaping a pole tip from the pole tip layer; depositing a layer of dielectric material above the pole tip and flux shaping layer, wherein the layer of dielectric material extends about adjacent to the mask layer; depositing a stop layer over the dielectric material, the stop layer abutting the mask layer; and polishing for forming a substantially planar upper surface comprising the mask layer and stop layer. Another method includes depositing a layer of dielectric material at least adjacent the pole tip, wherein the layer of dielectric material extends about adjacent to the mask layer. A further method includes forming dishing in the pole tip.

Abstract: A method is presented for repairing damaged photomasks for electronic component fabrication processes, particularly for fabrication of the ABS of a disk drive slider. The method includes applying an overcoat of material having index of fraction which is close to the index of refraction of the photoresist material of the damaged photomask to produce a non-scattering boundary surface. The overcoat material preferably includes an overcoat base material which is a polymer having an index of refraction which is in the range of plus or minus 0.1 from the index of refraction of said photoresist material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-electroplated shield using combination patterning and devices formed thereby are disclosed. The method includes depositing a metal layer, such as CZT, removing substantially 75% of the metal layer during a first phase using at least a first removal process and removing a remaining portion of the metal layer during a second phase using at least a second removal process. The first removal process may include depositing a first patterning layer, removing substantially 75% of the metal layer by ion-mill or similar technology and stripping the first patterning layer away. The second removal process may include depositing a second patterning layer and removing the remaining portion of the metal layer using a wet-etch or other etch process and removing the second patterning layer. The deposited metal layer may have a thickness up to several ?m and the edges of the shield exhibit a unique step pattern that is visible in a cross-section view of the shield.

Abstract: The overcoat of a slider (alumina) is recessed relative to the slider ABS by a non-abrasive CMP process sufficiently to prevent thermal protrusion of the overcoat during subsequent slider use in a hard disk drive. The CMP process involves the oscillatory and rotational compressional contact between the ABS surface of the slider and a polymerically pre-treated compliant pad that is sprayed by an aqueous alkali lubricating solution having a pH between about 9 and 10. The overcoat is thereby also softened by the lubricating solution and removed by the compressional contact and no use of abrasives is required.

Abstract: As a reticle pattern corresponding to a resist pattern for magnetic detection element layer and a reticle pattern corresponding to a resist pattern for conductive layer in a reticle, a reticle having a convex portion that projects in the height direction and a concave portion that dents in the direction opposite to the convex portion, respectively, is used to form a convex portion and concave portion corresponding to the convex portion and concave portion of the reticle pattern in the resist pattern for magnetic detection element and in the resist pattern for conductive layer, respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a perpendicular magnetic recording write head having a trailing shield (TS) with a precisely defined throat height (TH) on an air-bearing slider includes depositing an electrical lapping guide (ELG) layer on the substrate adjacent to and spaced from the write pole (WP) layer. A nonmagnetic TS pad layer is deposited on both the gap layer and the ELG layer, with the TS pad layer patterned to have a front edge extending across the both the ELG layer and the gap layer and recessed from the line where the substrate will be later cut to form the slider. An ELG protection layer is patterned on the ELG layer, the TS pad layer material is removed from the ELG layer in the region recessed from the TS pad layer front edge, and the ELG layer is removed in regions not covered by the ELG protection layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head fabrication process in which a stencil layer is deposited upon a plurality of sensor layers. A photoresist mask in the desired read track width is fabricated upon the stencil layer. A reactive ion milling step is then conducted to remove the unmasked portions of the stencil layer. Where the stencil layer is composed of an organic compound, such as Duramide and/or diamond-like-carbon, a reactive ion milling step utilizing oxygen species produces a stencil of the present invention having exceptionally straight side walls with practically no undercuts. Thereafter, an ion milling step is undertaken in which the sensor layers that are not covered by the stencil are removed. The accurately formed stencil results in correspondingly accurately formed side walls of the remaining central sensor layers. A magnetic head sensor structure having a desired read track width and accurately formed side walls is thus fabricated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing physical parameters. The apparatus comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and a magnetic field source whose magnetic field overlaps the MTJ and whose proximity to the MTJ varies in response to an input to the sensor. A magnetic shield is provided at least on a face of the MFS away from the MTJ. The MTJ comprises first and second magnetic electrodes separated by a dielectric configured to permit significant tunneling conduction therebetween. The first magnetic region has its spin axis pinned and the second magnetic electrode has its spin axis free. The magnetic field source is oriented closer to the second magnetic electrode than the first magnetic electrode. The overall sensor dynamic range is extended by providing multiple electrically coupled sensors receiving the same input but with different individual response curves and desirably but not essentially formed on the same substrate.

Abstract: A multilayer film is placed on a subatrate. The multilayer film includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a non-magnetic material layer, and a free magnetic layer. The multilayer film has recessed sections arranged in both side regions thereof, the recessed sections being formed by partly removing the multilayer film in a vacuum. The bottoms of the recessed sections are located between the upper face and lower face of the antiferromagnetic layer. Amorphous barrier layers with a thickness of ? are placed on the bottoms of the recessed sections, the amorphous barrier layers being formed in the same vacuum as that for forming the recessed sections sequentially to the step of forming the recessed sections.

Abstract: A method of making a slider includes the steps of laminating the bottom-facing surface of a third layer to the upper-facing surface of a fourth layer, laminating the bottom-facing surface of a second layer to the upper-facing surface of the third layer in a heat-compression mold, heat-pressing the combined second, third and fourth layers in the mold to form a desired shape, and heat pressing a first layer on top of the second layer inside the mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film coil in which a first coil and a second coil each having a desired number of winding are electrically connected in series and the second coil is formed between winding portions of the first coil on substantially the same plane, comprising: forming the first coil having a predetermined number of windings via a first insulating film; forming a second insulating film on a surface of the first coil and between the winding portions of the first coil; forming an underlying conductive film on the second insulating film, and treating the underlying conductive film so as to leave only the bottom portions of the underlying conducting film between the winding portions of the first coil; and growing deposition originating from a remaing portion of the underlying conductive film on the bottom portions of the underlying conducting film between the winding portions of the first coil so as to form the second coil.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the steps of: fabricating a substructure in which pre-head portions are aligned in a plurality of rows by forming components of a plurality of magnetic heads on a single substrate; and fabricating the plurality of magnetic heads by separating the pre-head portions from one another through cutting the substructure. In the step of fabricating the substructure, the resistance of an MR film that will be formed into an MR element by undergoing lapping later is detected to determine the target position of the boundary between a track width defining portion and a wide portion of a pole layer based on the resistance thus obtained, and the pole layer is thereby formed. In the step of fabricating the magnetic heads, the surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped such that the MR film is lapped and the resistance thereof thereby reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the steps of: fabricating a substructure in which pre-head portions are aligned in a plurality of rows by forming components of a plurality of magnetic heads on a single substrate; and fabricating the plurality of magnetic heads by separating the pre-head portions from one another through cutting the substructure. In the step of fabricating the substructure, the resistance of an MR film that will be formed into an MR element by undergoing lapping later is detected to determine the target position of the boundary between a track width defining portion and a wide portion of a pole layer based on the resistance detected, and the pole layer is thereby formed. In the step of fabricating the magnetic heads, the surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped such that the MR film is lapped and the resistance thereof thereby reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An element for detecting an amount of lapping of a stacked structure that includes a substrate and a magnetic field detecting sensor is provided. The element comprises: a resistive film that is arranged on a lapping surface of the stacked structure, the resistive film being exposed at the lapping surface together with the magnetic field detecting sensor, wherein the resistive film has a resistance value that varies depending on the amount of lapping; and a pad for measuring the resistance value, wherein the pad is formed on a surface of the stacked structure, the surface being other than the lapping surface, and wherein the pad is electrically connected to one end of the resistive film. Another end of the resistive film is electrically connected to the substrate.

Abstract: A TMR read head with improved voltage breakdown is formed by laying down the AP1 layer as two or more layers. Each AP1 sub-layer is exposed to a low energy plasma for a short time before the next layer is deposited. This results in a smooth surface, onto which to deposit the tunneling barrier layer, with no disruption of the surface crystal structure of the completed AP1 layer.

Abstract: A slider body characterized by rounded corners and edges and smooth surfaces, formed by polishing with a polymeric fiber and a free abrasive slurry of submicron particles.

Abstract: Components of a plurality of magnetic heads are formed on a single substrate to fabricate a magnetic head substructure in which a plurality of pre-head portions are aligned in a plurality of rows. The substructure is cut to separate the plurality of pre-head portions from one another, and the plurality of magnetic heads are thereby fabricated. The surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped to form a lapped surface. The lapped surface is lapped so as to reach a target position of a medium facing surface. The substructure incorporates first to fourth resistor elements each of which detects the position of the lapped surface. The third and fourth detection elements are located at positions shifted from the first and second resistor elements along the direction orthogonal to the medium facing surface.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head is produced with an insert layer between the substrate and the magnetic transducer. The insert layer has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the substrate, which reduces the temperature pole tip recession (T-PTR) of the head because the insert layer is an intervening layer between the substrate and magnetic transducer. The insert layer is produced by plating, e.g., an Invar layer over the substrate prior to fabricating the magnetic transducer. The Invar layer is annealed and the structure planarized prior to depositing a non-magnetic gap layer followed by the fabrication of the magnetic transducer.

Abstract: A photolithographic process using an X-direction delimiting mask (S11) for aligning respective side faces of a TMR element (1) and a strap (5) situated in a negative X side is performed, to shape the TMR element (1) and the strap (5) into desired configurations. The X-direction delimiting mask (S11) includes a straight edge and is disposed such that the straight edge is parallel to a Y direction and crosses both the TMR element (1) and the strap (5) in plan view. In use of the X-direction delimiting mask (S11), respective portions of the TMR element (1) and the strap (5) situated in a positive X side relative to the straight edge in plan view are covered with the X-direction delimiting mask (S11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing low-density gas-filled disk drives involving test equipment utilized to determine gas leaks occurring in disk drives subjected to shock and vibration events. A disk drive is placed in a sealed container, which, in turn, is connected to a gas detection device. Following shock or vibration testing, the gas detection device determines if a leak has occurred, as well as the quality of gas leaked from the disk drive. The present invention also involves a test apparatus designed to check the accuracy and calibration of associated gas detection devices used during the shock and vibration tests. The test apparatus utilizes a sealed test chamber containing a known quantity of gas, which is released during a test event. Knowing the quantity of gas released, the output of the gas detection device can be monitored and calibrated as needed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic head is disclosed, including perpendicular magnetic recording head includes forming a primary magnetic pole having a flat top surface, where a shield layer over the primary magnetic pole and at the sides of the primary magnetic pole is formed in a single piece. The distance in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction between the side surfaces of the primary magnetic pole and the side shield layer is longer than the distance in the thickness direction between the top surface of the primary magnetic pole and the shield layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to extracting particles from a slider to enable particle quantification. According to one embodiment, a slider, which is associated with a head stack assembly, is submerged into a solution. Particles are extracted from the slider without extracting particles from the entire head stack assembly.

Abstract: An optical lapping guide for determining an amount of lapping performed on a row of sliders in a process for manufacturing sliders for magnetic data recording. The optical lapping guide is constructed with a front edge that is at an angle with respect to an air bearing surface plane ABS plane, such that a portion of the lapping guides is in front of the ABS and portion of the lapping guide is behind the ABS. As lapping progresses, an increasing amount of the lapping guide will be exposed at the ABS and visible for inspection. Therefore, after a lapping process has been performed, the optical lapping guide can be inspected to determine the amount of material removed by lapping. The greater the amount of the lapping guide that is exposed and visible, the greater the amount of material removed by lapping.

Abstract: The lapping of a slider is controlled based on an amplitude of a readback signal which is produced from an externally applied magnetic field. A lapping plate is used to lap a slider which includes at least one magnetic head having a read sensor. During the lapping, a coil produces a magnetic field around the slider and processing circuitry monitors both a readback signal amplitude and a resistance of the read sensor. The lapping of the slider is terminated based on the monitoring both the readback signal amplitude and the resistance. Preferably, the lapping of the slider is terminated when the resistance is within a predetermined resistance range and the readback signal amplitude is above a predetermined minimum amplitude threshold or reaches its peak value. Asymmetry can also be measured in the described system, where the lapping process is terminated based on asymmetry as well as resistance and amplitude measurements.

Abstract: After defining the P2 pole of a magnetic read head, alumina is deposited over it and planarized by CMP, with the portion of the alumina overlaying the ABS region of the P2 pole subsequently being masked by a photoresist layer and with the portions of the alumina overlaying the flare area, back gap region, and center tap regions of the P2 pole not being masked. A reactive ion mill is performed to expose the flare area, back gap region, and center tap regions of the P2 pole by removing the alumina over these portions, so that subsequent steps such as forming a layer of coiled conductors, forming a return pole, and forming stud connections along with removing the respective seed layers can be executed with the ABS region protected by the alumina and with the flare area, back gap region, and center tap region exposed.

Abstract: A method comprises depositing first and second lead layers in end regions which surround a central region; and forming a read sensor in the central region such that a first edge of the read sensor is disposed above an edge of the first lead layer and a second edge of the read sensor is disposed above an edge of the second lead layer. In one approach, first and second bias layers are deposited in end regions over the first and the second lead layers. The read sensor is formed in the central region such that the first edge of the read sensor is disposed above an edge of the first bias layer and the second edge of the read sensor is disposed above an edge of the second bias layer. Third and fourth bias layers are deposited adjacent the read sensor. Methods taking different approaches are also presented.

Abstract: A TMR read head with improved voltage breakdown is formed by laying down the AP1 layer as two or more layers. Each AP1 sub-layer is exposed to a low energy plasma for a short time before the next layer is deposited. This results in a smooth surface, onto which to deposit the tunneling barrier layer, with no disruption of the surface crystal structure of the completed AP1 layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive film is formed on the surface of a lower electrode layer in a method of making a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane structure magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive film includes a lower portion and an upper portion overlaid on the lower portion. The lower portion includes at least a pinned magnetic layer. The upper portion includes at least a free magnetic layer. A pair of domain control magnetic layers is formed to sandwich the magnetoresistive film. An insulator film is formed to cover over the domain control magnetic layers. The upper portion is subjected to an etching process. The domain control magnetic layers are reliably prevented from being removed during the etching process. Accordingly, the domain control magnetic layers are allowed to reliably sandwich the upper portion of the magnetoresistive film in the aforementioned manner.