Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide thin-film magnetic heads that meet specifications required by the customer in a short time and to improve yields of thin-film magnetic heads. In a thin-film magnetic head sub-structure of the invention, a bottom shield layer and a first portion of a top shield layer are placed in one plane, being insulated from each other. Portions of conductive layers to be connected to an MR element are placed in grooves formed between the bottom shield layer and the first portion of the top shield layer, being insulated by an insulating film from the bottom shield layer and the first portion. A thin-film coil is placed on a first portion of the top shield layer, an insulating layer being placed between the coil and the first portion. A thin-film magnetic head is completed by adding the MR element, a second portion of the top shield layer placed on top of the MR element, a recording gap layer, a top pole layer and so on.

Abstract: A MR sensor includes a MR layer formed between a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer through a first lower insulation layer and a first upper insulation layer, respectively, a pair of lead conductor layers formed between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer through the first lower insulation layer and the first upper insulation layer, respectively, the lead conductor layers being connected with both ends of the MR layer, and second upper insulation layers formed on the lead conductor layers and provided with substantially the same pattern shape as that of the lead conductor layers.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a metal layer, formed over a substrate, in which a groove is formed. A magnetoresistive element is formed in the groove, forming two magnetoresistive element portions that are separated by a conductive element. A sense current applied to the metal layer flows through the two magnetoresistive element portions with a predominant current-perpendicular-to-plane component. A method includes techniques that are less complex and less expensive than submicron photolithography to form the above described magnetoresistive device with submicron geometries. A system includes a read/write head that incorporates a magnetoresistive element formed in a groove of a metal layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly has an open yoke type write head constructed on top of a read head so that the write head can be constructed with a very narrow track width without restraint by the requirements of the read head. The write head has first and second pole piece portions wherein the second pole piece portion has separate front and back layer portions. A coil layer is wrapped around only the first pole piece portion and the back layer portion so that the front layer portion can be constructed separately to provide a narrow track width. Further, in a preferred embodiment the front layer portion has a reduced thickness and a higher magnetic moment than the thickness and magnetic moment of the first pole piece portion and the back layer portion. Still further, in a preferred embodiment the first pole piece portion and the back layer portion are planar due to planarization of underlying layers.

Abstract: A fabricating process of a magnetic head includes the steps of forming a magneto-resistive film, forming a resist film on the magneto-resistive film, patterning the resist film to form a resist pattern, conducting a process while using the resist pattern as a mask, causing a shrinkage in the resist pattern, and conducting a second process while using the shrunken resist pattern as a mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a DSMR head comprises the steps of forming a first ferromagnetic (FM) strip on a substrate with a first anti-FM (AFM) pinning layer over a portion of the first ferromagnetic strip, the first AFM pinning layer being composed of a first material. Then perform a first high temperature annealing step. Form a non-magnetic layer over the strip and the pinning layer. Then form a second FM strip on the non-magnetic layer, and form a second AFM pinning layer over a portion of the second FM strip, with a second AFM pinning layer being composed identically of the first material. Perform a second high temperature annealing step on the first and second FM strips and the first and second pinning layers and the intermediate non-magnetic layer in the presence of a second magnetic field antiparallel to the first magnetic field. A head with NiFe FM strips and FeMn or MnPt, etc, AFM layers for both strips is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer. First, a plurality of printed boards in each of which a plurality of leads are formed in a line are stacked. The end portions of the leads protrude from each printed board. These lead end portions are inserted into a plurality of lead holes of an alignment jig. The plurality of printed boards are buried in the back surface of this alignment jig, and a backing layer is formed by resin molding. After that, the alignment jig is removed from the surface of the backing layer, and the surface of the backing layer is flattened. Since the end portions of the leads are exposed to this flattened surface of the backing layer, discrete electrodes formed on the back surfaces of transducer elements are electrically connected to these lead end portions. The accuracy of lead arrangement is thus improved by the use of the alignment jig. This reduces alignment errors of leads with respect to the discrete electrodes of the transducer elements.

Abstract: When manufacturing a thin film magnetic head in which an upper magnetic pole is formed on a lower magnetic pole through a magnetic gap, firstly, at least on the lower magnetic pole, a convex portion possessing the width equivalent to a track width is formed. The convex portion forms a lower magnetic pole tip. Conforming to a contour of the convex shape of the lower magnetic pole, a non-magnetic material layer is formed. A flattening layer is formed on the non-magnetic material layer. The non-magnetic layer is etched with the flattening layer, for example, as a mask. In the non-magnetic material layer, a concave portion self-aligned to the lower portion magnetic pole top (convex portion) is formed. Inside the concave portion, a magnetic layer (upper magnetic pole tip) destined to be a part of the upper magnetic pole is formed.

Abstract: An integrated thin film head comprises, in order to prevent short-circuit among the lead layer, upper lead layer and shield layers, a lower shield layer formed on a substrate, a lower readgap layer formed on the lower shield layer, an MR sensor layer formed on the lower readgap layer, a lead layer jointed with the MR sensor layer, an upper lead layer formed in contact with a part of the lead layer, an upper readgap layer formed to cover the MR sensor layer, lead layer and upper lead layer and an upper shield layer formed on the upper readgap layer. The part of the lead layer in contact with the upper lead layer is formed thinner than the part not contact with the upper lead layer.

Abstract: A spin valve sensor has a pinned layer structure that has a net positive stress induced uniaxial anisotropy that promotes a pinning of the pinned layer structure in a pinned direction for stabilizing the pinning of the pinned layer structure at high temperatures near to a blocking temperature of a pinning layer which is exchange coupled to the pinned layer.

Abstract: A second pole piece layer of a write head is constructed using first and second photoresist layers which are sensitive to light with different bandwidths. The second photoresist layer, which is on top of the first photoresist layer, is light exposed with light that excludes light that would change the molecular structure of the first or bottom photoresist layer. After light exposure and development of the second photoresist layer to provide an opening for yoke and back gap portions of the second pole piece layer, the first photoresist layer is light exposed with light that includes the light excluded in the light exposure step of the second photoresist layer. The light exposure of the first photoresist layer and its developing provides the first photoresist layer with an opening for electroplating the second pole tip of the second pole piece layer.

Abstract: A thin film head comprising a GMR element formed of an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinning layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer and a free magnetic layer; and a pair of the right and the left laminated longitudinal biasing layers, each of the layers containing a hard magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer and a soft magnetic layer provided on said free magnetic layer of GMR element. Said hard magnetic layer and said soft magnetic layer are antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled via said nonmagnetic layer, and said hard magnetic layer and said free magnetic layer locating next to said hard magnetic layer are ferromagnetically coupled. The present invention contains also a method for manufacturing the thin film head.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film magnetic head, including forming a first magnetic layer, forming a second magnetic layer as a magnetic flux passage in combination with the first magnetic layer, and forming a laminate structure body between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The forming of the laminate structure body includes forming a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer and a non-magnetic conductive layer between the third magnetic layer and the fourth magnetic layer, projecting the laminate structure body more toward an air bearing surface than a projection of the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer toward the air bearing surface, and providing the laminate structure body with a width which is smaller than a width of the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: A dielectric protection layer is formed on the top and first and second side walls of a second pole tip portion of a second pole piece layer for preventing alteration of the track width of the second pole tip portion during subsequent fabrication of metallic components of the write head, such as a write coil, terminal leads to a read sensor and the write coil and studs to the terminal leads.

Abstract: By constituting a MR head with a pair of magnet films defining a recess on a lower gap layer, the recess having generally an inverted trapezoid shape in cross section; a magnetoresistive film covering a bottom and side wall of the recess and partial upper surfaces of the pair of magnet films; and a pair of electrically conductive films formed on the magnet films and being in contact with said magnetoresistive film only at a position outside of the recess, it becomes possible to reduce a variation in reading track widths of MR heads even under mass production.

Abstract: A TMR element includes: a free layer formed on a lower gap layer; a tunnel barrier layer formed on the free layer; and a pinned layer formed on the tunnel barrier layer. The pinned layer and the tunnel barrier layer have sidewalls formed through etching. The TMR element further comprises a deposition layer made of a material that is separated by etching and deposits on the sidewalls and undergoes oxidation.

Abstract: A thin-film single magnetic pole head which assures highly efficient magnetic energization of a main magnetic pole and which exhibits optimum recording characteristics even in case of recording on a double-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium with a high frequency. The thin-film single magnetic pole head includes a main magnetic pole consisting of a soft magnetic thin film and a return yoke. A thin-film coil for energizing the main magnetic pole is constituted by a plurality of conductor layers extending substantially parallel to one another and substantially at right angles to the main magnetic pole. The conductor layers are layered together in the up-and-down direction on both sides of the main magnetic pole. A thin-film coil for magnetically energizing the main magnetic pole is constituted by selectively interconnecting the conductors.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element, and a magnetoresistive sensor element fabricated in accord with the method. There is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a magnetoresistive (MR) layer comprising: (1) a bulk layer of the magnetoresistive (MR) layer formed of a first magnetoresistive (MR) material optimized to provide an enhanced magnetoresistive (MR) resistivity sensitivity of the magnetoresistive (MR) layer; and (2) a surface layer of the magnetoresistive (MR) layer formed of a second magnetoresistive (MR) material optimized to provide an enhanced magnetic exchange bias when forming a magnetic exchange bias layer upon the surface layer of the magnetoresistive (MR) layer. Finally, there is then formed upon the surface layer of the magnetoresistive (MR) layer the magnetic exchange bias layer. The method contemplates an magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element fabricated in accord with the method.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head in which the track width at the write pole can be set at a very small value with a high degree of accuracy without having to undergo a dry etching process. A first pole tip is laminated projecting out over a first yoke. a second pole tip is laminated onto a gap film, and has a track width which is equal to the track width of the first pole tip. The areas around the first pole tip, the second pole tip and the gap film are filled with a non-magnetic insulating film. The flattened surface of the non-magnetic insulating film forms a flat surface that is the same as the surface of the second pole tip, a second yoke, whose front end portion has a track width which is larger than the track width of the second pole tip, is laminated onto the second pole tip, with its two ends in the direction of the track width laminated onto the surface of the non-magnetic insulating film.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic head which is able to enhance the magnetic field intensity to be generated by shaping a magnetic pole, and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing a magnetic head, comprising the steps of forming a lower recording magnetic pole and an upper recording magnetic pole, and trimming partially an elongated pole in the vicinity of a floating surface of the upper recording magnetic pole and an upper portion of the lower recording magnetic pole positioned below and around the elongated pole by an ion milling method, wherein a core width of the elongated pole can be adjusted.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) device includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer having an Fe/FeSi/Fe construction. A first Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a first direction, while a second Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a second direction that is substantially antiparallel to the first direction. The magnetoresistive device can be a spin valve in which a first surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a pinning layer, and a second surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a spacer layer. Further, the spin valve includes a free layer that overlies the spacer, thereby being separated from the synthetic AFM layer by the spacer. The pinning layer, synthetic AFM layer, spacer, and free layer can be bounded by a first shield and a second shield to provide magnetic shielding of the spin valve sensor.

Abstract: A spin-valve thin-film magnetic element includes a substrate, a composite formed thereon, and electrode layers formed on both sides of the composite. The composite includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer, a free magnetic layer, a mean-free-path-extending layer, and an exchange bias layer. The mean-free-path-extending layer may be a back layer or a mirror reflective layer. The mean-free-path-extending layer extends the mean free path of spin-up conduction electrons in the spin-valve thin-film magnetic element. This spin-valve thin-film magnetic element meets trends toward a narrower track width.

Abstract: In a method of efficiently and promptly mass-producing a combination type thin film magnetic head having accurately defined short throat height, apex angle, and MR height or the like and capable of reducing the saturation and leakage of magnetic flux even if a magnetic pole portion is miniaturized, a recessed portion is formed in a surface of a substrate, while a first magnetic layer constituting a lower shield for the GMR element is used as a mask. A second magnetic layer is formed along an inner wall of the recessed portion. A thin film coil is formed thereon in an isolated state, and a surface is flattened to constitute a common unit for manufacturing combination type thin film magnetic heads. A number of common units are manufactured and stocked without any relationship to users' specifications.

Abstract: Process for the production of an assembly having several magnetic heads and multiple head assembly obtained by said process. Production takes place of a first substrate (60) with first pole pieces (621, 622) and a second substrate (70) with second pole pieces (721, 733) and magnetic connectors (741, 742). One of the substrates is reversed and engaged on the other. The second substrate is thinned out so that the two pole pieces (721, 722) and the magnetic connectors (741, 742) are level or almost level. The assembly is completed by forming on the second thinned out substrate, magnetic circuit closing means and conductor coils. Application to the production of multiple magnetic head assemblies.

Abstract: A method for forming a gap of a planar thin film magnetic head and a planar thin film magnetic head formed thereby, includes a photoresist having a stepped surface is formed at one side from the center of a gap spacer pedestal. Also, a gap spacer of a diamond-like carbon material for forming the gap is formed at a side well of the photoresist, and one side of an upper pole piece is formed with a magnetic material over the other side from the center of the gap spacer pedestal. Further, the photoresist is etched and the other side of the upper pole piece is formed with a magnetic material over the exposed gap spacer pedestal.

Abstract: A dual GMR or dual spin valve sensor has a self-pinned layer which has its magnetic moment pinned perpendicular to an air bearing surface by sense current fields from conductive layers in the dual spin valve sensor when a sense current is conducted therethrough. This scheme eliminates one of the antiferromagnetic pinning layers which is typically employed in a dual GMR or dual spin valve sensor. The self-pinned layer is thin so that its demagnetization field will not be greater than the sense current fields acting thereon. Because of the thinning of the self-pinned layer the spin valve effect of the spin valve sensor is degraded by scattering of conduction electrons at the boundary of the self-pinned layer.

Abstract: A spin valve element includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer formed in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer so that the magnetization direction thereof is pinned by an exchange coupling magnetic field with the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic conductive layer in contact with the pinned magnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer in contact with the nonmagnetic conductive layer. The free magnetic layer includes a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and first and second free magnetic layers with the nonmagnetic intermediate layer provided therebetween, the second free magnetic layer is formed in contact with the nonmagnetic conductive layer, the first and second free magnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled with each other to bring both layers into a ferrimagnetic state, and either of the first and second free magnetic layers comprises a ferromagnetic insulating film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic transducer structure using a special pole etch using an IBE preferably with Kr or Xe, and a write gap material with a high IBE etch rate such as Ta, NiCu alloys, Pd, Pd—Cu alloys. A first layer of pole material and a write gap insulating layer are formed over the substrate. The write gap layer is composed of a material having a high ion beam etch rate compared to the first and second layers of pole material. The write gap insulating layer is preferably composed of Ni—Cu alloy, Pd, Pd—Cu alloys. Next, a second layer of pole material is formed on the first insulating layer. In a key step, we ion beam etch (IBE) the second pole; the write gap insulating layer and the first layer; the second pole serving as an etch mask during the ion beam etching to form a head. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the ion beam etching performed using a gas of Kr or Xe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head, in which throat height TH of a pole portion and MR height MRH can be formed accurately to have desired design values for improving a surface recording density and reducing a side fringe magnetic flux during a writing, an MR film 46 is formed such that the film is embedded in a shield gap layer formed on a substrate, a first magnetic layer is formed on the shield gap layer, a thin film coil is formed on the first magnetic layer such that the coil is isolated by an insulating layer, and a second magnetic layer is formed in accordance with a given pattern. The gap layer is selectively removed by a reactive ion etching in the vicinity of side walls of a pole portion of the second magnetic layer, and then the first magnetic layer is partially removed by an ion milling to form a recess having an inner side wall which serves as a positional reference. An air bearing surface is polished on the basis of a position of this inner side wall of the recess.

Abstract: A dual stripe magnetoresistive (DSMR) sensor element, and a method for fabricating the dual stripe magnetoresistive (DSMR) sensor element. When fabricating the dual stripe magnetoresistive (DSMR) sensor element while employing the method, there are employed two pair of patterned magnetic biasing layers formed of a single magnetic biasing material. The two pair of patterned magnetic biasing layers bias a pair of patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layers in a pair of opposite canted directions.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetoresistive (MR) lapping monitor, and a magnetoresistive (MR) lapping monitor formed employing the method. To practice the method, there is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer, where the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer has a concavity at an edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer opposite an air bearing surface (ABS) edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer. There is then formed covering the edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer opposite the air bearing surface edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer and separated by the concavity a pair of patterned conductor lead layers, where neither patterned conductor lead layer within the pair of patterned conductor lead layers reaches a plane defined by the air bearing surface (ABS) edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer.

Abstract: In a thin film magnetic head including a first magnetic layer 36, a write gap layer 41 and a second magnetic layer 42, 47 formed on a substrate 31, 32 and one or more thin film coil layers provided between the first and second magnetic layers, in order to shorten a magnetic path length of the thin film coil and to improve characteristics by reducing a spacing between successive coil windings of at least one thin film coil layer, a silicon oxide film 37 is formed on the first magnetic layer 36, coil-shaped recesses 38 are formed by a reactive ion etching in a surface of the silicon oxide layer with a narrow spacing, a copper layer is deposited by Cu-CVD, the copper layer is polished by CMP such that the surface of the silicon oxide layer is exposed to form coil windings 40 of the first thin film coil layer, and the write gap layer is formed on the coil windings.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a coil structure for use in a writer portion of a recording head is disclosed. The method comprises fabricating a bottom pole. A bottom insulating layer is fabricated on the bottom pole, while a seed layer is fabricated on the bottom insulator layer. Alternating third and fourth coil conductors are spacially positioned on the seed layer. A first plurality of insulating barriers are fabricated on the seed layer between the alternating third and fourth coil conductors. A middle insulating layer is fabricated on the third coil conductor, the second coil conductor, and the first plurality of insulating barriers. The A alternating third and fourth coil conductors are spacially positioned on the middle insulating layer. A second plurality of insulating barriers are fabricated on the middle insulating layer between the alternating third and fourth conductors.

Abstract: A shield and/or pole piece layer for a magnetoresistive (MR) head made of a high moment Fe—Al—N—O laminated film is disclosed. The Fe—Al—N—O laminated film is manufactured using N2O as the reactive gas, making a laminated film that has a high intrinsic anisotropic (HK) and can better withstand the processing fields employed during the various processing and annealing steps in the construction of the head. Accordingly, the magnetic domains of the first shield layer, the second shield layer and/or the pole piece layers do not change position from a desired parallel position to the ABS. By maintaining their parallel position, applied fields during the operation of the head, such as from the write head or the media, do not move the domain walls around to cause Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: A write head has a second pole tip layer, a coil layer and a write coil insulation layer that are planarized at their top surfaces. A thin top insulation layer insulates the top of the coil layer from a yoke portion of the second pole piece which is connected to the second pole tip layer in the pole tip region and connected to a first pole piece layer in a back gap region. In a preferred embodiment the write gap layer extends throughout the yoke region and provides the only insulation between the first pole piece layer and the coil layer. Further, it is preferred that the write coil insulation layer be an inorganic material such as silicon dioxide (SiO2). Several embodiments of the write head are provided along with novel methods of making.

Abstract: A read head has a flux guide layer that is immediately adjacent (abuts) the back edge of a read sensor. The flux guide layer is made of a high resistance soft magnetic material that conducts magnetic flux from the back edge of the read sensor so that the magnetic response at the back edge of the read sensor is significantly higher than zero. This increases the efficiency of the read sensor. The material for the flux guide layer is A-B-C where A is selected from the group Fe and Co, B is selected from the group Hf, Y, Ta and Zr and C is selected from the group O and N. In a preferred embodiment A-B-C is Fe—Hf—O and the Ms&rgr; of the flux guide layer is greater than 50 times the Ms&rgr; of the read sensor layer where the read sensor layer is NiFe, Ms is saturation magnetization and &rgr; is resistivity. Because of the flux guides high resistance current shunting losses are nearly eliminated.

Abstract: A spin-valve magnetoresistive element includes a plurality of layers. The magnetic moment of a first pinned magnetic layer is smaller than the magnetic moment of a second pinned magnetic layer. In this case, a magnetic field of 100 to 1,000 Oe is applied in a direction opposite to the direction for which obtaining of magnetization for the first pinned magnetic layer is desired, or a magnetic field of 5 kOe or greater is applied in the same direction as the direction for which obtaining of magnetization for the first pinned magnetic layer is desired. Thus, a first magnetization of the first pinned magnetic layer and the magnetic moment of a second pinned magnetic layer can be maintained in an antiparallel state.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head has first and second magnetic pole layers and, a thin film coil, a magnetic gap layer, and a magnetically insulating layer. The magnetically insulating layer is disposed along a plane facing a recording medium, and divides at least one of the front end section of the first magnetic pole layer and the frond end section of the second magnetic pole layer into a plurality of sub-sections. An additional magnetic pole layer may be provided on at least one of the front end section of the first magnetic pole layer and the front end section of the second magnetic pole layer with a magnetically insulating layer being interposed therebetween. The thin film magnetic head thus fabricated enables the reduction of undershoots to appear at both sides of a main peak of the waveform a signal reproduced by the magnetic head.

Abstract: A method for the production of a magnetic head, where first a lower magnetic pole is formed on a wafer. Next, a nonmagnetic write gap layer is formed on the lower magnetic pole. A coil is then formed to be sandwiched between nonmagnetic insulating layers on the nonmagnetic write gap layer. Finally, an upper magnetic pole, provided with a pole tip, is formed to contact the write gap layer on the nonmagnetic write gap layer. After formation, a focused ion beam is irradiated in the direction from a thickness of the pole tip to the lateral parts of the pole tip, the nonmagnetic write gap layer lying directly thereunder. The lower magnetic pole thereby trims the lateral parts of the pole tip while consequently decreasing the width of the pole tip. At the same time, depressed parts are formed in the lower magnetic pole in the areas extending outward from directly below the lateral parts of the pole tip.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a gap layer, and a thin film coil consisting of one or more thin film coil layers.

Abstract: The present invention extends the high resistance lead layers of a read head straight back into the head from each of the first and second edges of the read sensor. This lessens the length of each of the high resistance lead layers so that they do not have to be made thicker to satisfy resistance requirements. Accordingly, a lateral width of each high resistance lead portion along the ABS and a thickness thereof are chosen so as to minimize the thickness while yet satisfying the resistance requirements. Further, a method of making the first and second lead layers is provided that minimizes the thickness of the high resistance lead layers. Instead of constructing the high resistance lead layers first, the present method constructs the high resistance lead layers after defining a stripe height of the read sensor so that the lateral expanse of the high resistance lead layers is not altered by ion milling, which ion milling increases the resistance of the high resistance lead layers.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.

Abstract: A process for producing a vertical magnetic head for reading information from a magnetic media. The head includes a substrate on which is mounted an amagnetic spacer extending perpendicular to the face of the substrate. A first magnetic material is deposited in vapor phase thin film formed on either side of the spacer. A second magnetic material is deposited on the first by electrolytic growth.