Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a magnetic pole, a shield, and a non-magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer is provided between the magnetic pole and the shield. The non-magnetic layer is in contact with the magnetic pole and the shield. The non-magnetic layer includes a first element including at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Cr, V, Al and Ag.

Abstract: A PMR writer with a true one turn design is disclosed with a driving coil above the main pole (MP) but where a bucking coil below the MP is replaced by a dummy metal layer or fully removed to substantially enhance the return field to the trailing shield. A non-double write shield scheme is employed where the leading loop for magnetic flux return is terminated at the leading shield. A tapered bottom yoke (tBY) contacts the MP bottom surface and has a tapered front side at height tBYd from the air bearing surface. Bottom yoke (BY) is below the tBY and has a front side at height BYd where BYd>tBYd. Reader-writer separation is reduced by 1-2 microns when the bucking coil is fully removed. Wide adjacent track erasures are controlled with a high damping material in one or more of the leading, side and trailing shields.

Abstract: A data writer can have at least a write pole laterally disposed between first and second side shields and vertically disposed between a wrap-around shield and a front shield. The write pole may be separated from the side shields and the wrap-around shield by a lamination of first and second non-magnetic layers.

Abstract: A PMR writer is disclosed wherein magnetic flux return from a magnetic medium to a main pole is substantially greater through a trailing shield structure than through a leading return loop comprised of a leading shield, return path layer (RTP), and back gap connection (BGC). Magnetic impedance is increased between the RTP and main pole in the leading return loop by removing one or more layers in the BGC and replacing with dielectric material and non-magnetic metal to form a dielectric gap between the RTP and main pole. The non-magnetic metal may be Cu that is electrically isolated from coils within the write head. As a result, area density control and bit error rate are improved over a conventional dual write shield (DWS) structure comprising two flux return pathways. Moreover, adjacent track erasure is maintained at a level similar to a DWS design.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer with a composite main pole and methods for fabricating the magnetic transducer are provided. The magnetic transducer includes a main pole having at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first magnetic material and has a first side forming at least a portion of an air bearing surface (ABS) of the main pole. The second portion includes a second magnetic material that is different from the first magnetic material, and the second portion is spaced apart from the ABS. The main pole may further include a third portion, where the second portion and the third portion are each located at one of the trailing side or the leading side of the main pole, with the third portion made of magnetic material that is different from the first magnetic material, and the third portion being spaced apart from the ABS.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a multi-level tapered write pole. The write pole comprises a main pole with a tapered tip on a leading edge or a trailing edge, on which is formed at least one yoke that has a tapered edge. The edge of the yoke is recessed from the ABS of the main pole, giving the head a stepped profile. The yoke can be a single yoke formed on one side of the main pole or it can be two yokes formed on both the leading and trailing sides of the main pole. The write pole structure creates an efficient channeling of magnetic flux to the ABS surface of the pole tip which produces magnetic recording field at high area densities.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for manufacturing a full wraparound shield damascene write head through the implementation of a three layered (tri-layered) hard mask. According to an embodiment of the invention, the various layers of hard mask are used for different purposes during the formation of a write head. The wraparound shield head of the present invention exhibits improved physical characteristics that further result in improved performance characteristics. Use of the hard mask layers according to the present invention allows for use of manufacturing processes that can be more closely controlled than those processes used in other processes. For example, smaller dimension lithographic techniques can be used. Also, reliance on certain CMP processes is not necessary where the use of CMP processes is not as well-controlled as deposition or lithographic techniques as is possible using the present invention.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a multi-level tapered write pole. The write pole comprises a main pole with a tapered tip on a leading edge or a trailing edge, on which is formed at least one yoke that has a tapered edge. The edge of the yoke is recessed from the ABS of the main pole, giving the head a stepped profile. The yoke can be a single yoke formed on one side of the main pole or it can be two yokes formed on both the leading and trailing sides of the main pole. The write pole structure creates an efficient channeling of magnetic flux to the ABS surface of the pole tip which produces magnetic recording field at high area densities.

Abstract: A transducing head writer comprising a write pole having write pole tip, a yoke disposed on the write pole at a location that is recessed from the write pole tip, and a bridge feature disposed on the write pole between the yoke and the write pole tip, where the bridge feature has a geometry that is larger at a recessed end adjacent to the yoke compared to a proximate end adjacent to the write pole tip.

Abstract: Testing procedure (Integrated Head Spiral Testing) for disk media utilizes a single head with both write and read elements that are offset to allow spiral testing. The offset allows a write element to write one portion of a spiral track while a read element simultaneously reads a previously written portion of the spiral track.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a magnetic recording head including a write pole having increasing magnetic moment from a leading edge of the write pole to a trailing edge of the write pole, and methods for manufacturing the same. The write pole may be formed with a plurality of different magnetic material layers having different magnetic moments. A first magnetic layer may be formed with a first magnetic material adjacent a leading edge of the write pole. A second magnetic layer having a greater moment may be formed on the first magnetic layer, thereby increasing the magnetic moment from the leading edge of the write pole to the trailing edge of the write pole.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic transducer are described. The magnetic transducer includes a first pole, a write gap, a second pole, a first coil, and a second coil. The first pole has a front portion on which at least a portion of the write gap resides. The second pole includes a split yoke that includes a first portion and a second portion. At least a portion of the first coil resides between the first portion of the split yoke and the first pole. At least a portion of the second coil resides between the second portion of the split yoke and the first pole.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide having a core layer and an end adjacent to an air bearing surface, first and second poles magnetically coupled to each other and positioned on opposite sides of the waveguide, wherein the first pole includes a first portion spaced from the waveguide and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the air bearing surface, with the second portion being structured such that an end of the second portion is closer to the core layer of the waveguide than the first portion, and a heat sink positioned adjacent to the second portion of the first pole.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic write head having a trailing shield with a tapered and stepped, self aligned trailing magnetic shield. The shield has a tapered portion that tapers away from the write pole as it extends away from the ABS. This tapered portion helps to channel flux to the pole tip portion of the shield, while preventing the loss of write field to the shield. The stepped portion of the shield further helps to prevent the loss of write field and also defines a secondary throat height of the shield that can be accurately located relative to the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic transducer are described. The magnetic transducer includes a first pole, a write gap, a second pole, a first coil, and a second coil. The first pole has a front portion on which at least a portion of the write gap resides. The second pole includes a split yoke that includes a first portion and a second portion. At least a portion of the first coil resides between the first portion of the split yoke and the first pole. At least a portion of the second coil resides between the second portion of the split yoke and the first pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording magnetic head is provided, according to one embodiment, in which even if a thickness of a main pole is reduced corresponding to a reduction in a recording track width, recording performance is not degraded. A magnetic-field auxiliary pole and a nonmagnetic layer are stacked on a main pole, and a nonmagnetic portion is provided on each side face on a flying surface side of the magnetic-field auxiliary pole and the nonmagnetic layer, in one approach. In all regions except for a region near a flying surface, an interval between the main pole and a shield is increased by the nonmagnetic portion and the nonmagnetic layer, so that magnetic field loss is prevented, and consequently magnetic field strength and a magnetic field gradient are increased. Other systems and methods are also disclosed for retaining magnetic recording performance while reducing a thickness of a main pole.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) is provided. The method comprises providing an underlayer, and providing a main pole residing on the underlayer and having a front and a rear. The step of providing a main pole further includes providing a first portion having a first magnetic moment, the first portion having a front face at the ABS and terminating between the ABS and the rear of the main pole, and providing a second portion having a second magnetic moment. A part of the second portion resides on the first portion, and another part of the second portion resides between the first portion of the main pole and the rear of the main pole. The first magnetic moment is less than the second magnetic moment.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer that includes an underlayer. The method and system include providing a recessed region in the underlayer. The recessed region includes a front having an angle from horizontal. The angle is greater than zero and less than ninety degrees. The method and system further includes providing an assist pole layer in the recessed region and providing a main pole layer. A portion of the main pole layer resides on the assist pole layer. A main pole is defined from the assist pole layer and the main pole layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a multi-level tapered write pole for efficient channeling of magnetic flux. The write pole comprises a main pole with a tapered tip on which is formed at least one yoke that has a tapered edge. The edge of the yoke is recessed from the ABS of the tapered tip, giving the write pole a stepped profile. The tapered tip can be two sloped surfaces that are symmetric about a mid-plane of the main pole or a single sloped edge on the leading side or the trailing side of the pole. The yoke structure can consist of a single yoke formed on one side of the main pole or it can consist of two yokes formed symmetrically on both the leading and trailing sides of the main pole.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer that includes an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes an underlayer and a main pole residing on the underlayer. The main pole includes a front and a rear. The front resides at the ABS, while the rear is distal from the ABS. The main pole also includes a first portion having a first magnetic moment and a second portion having a second magnetic moment. The first portion has a front face at the ABS and terminates between the ABS and the rear of the main pole. A part of the second portion resides on the first portion, while another part of the second portion resides between the first portion of the main pole and the rear of the main pole. The first magnetic moment is less than the second magnetic moment.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer and a yoke layer. The main magnetic pole layer generates a magnetic flux of a recording magnetic field and includes a magnetic pole front part and a magnetic pole rear part. The yoke layer is disposed at the magnetic pole rear part and includes a yoke front part and a yoke rear part. The magnetic pole front part extends on a magnetic medium-facing surface side of the magnetic pole rear part with a width in a track width direction being smaller than that of the magnetic pole rear part. The yoke front part extends on the magnetic medium-facing surface side of the yoke rear part with a width in the track width direction being larger than that of the magnetic pole rear part and that of the yoke rear part.

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 heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a slider, an edge-emitting laser diode fixed to the slider, and an external mirror fixed to the laser diode. The laser diode has: an emitting end face that includes an emission part for emitting laser light; a mounting surface that lies at an end in a direction perpendicular to the plane of an active layer and faces the slider; and a rear surface opposite to the mounting surface. The external mirror includes: a first to-be-fixed part disposed along the emitting end face; a second to-be-fixed part disposed along the rear surface; and a coupling part that couples the first and second to-be-fixed parts to each other. The first to-be-fixed part has a reflecting surface that reflects the laser light emitted from the emission part toward the waveguide.

Abstract: A main magnetic pole includes a first part extending from a medium facing surface to a point at a predetermined distance from the medium facing surface, and a second part other than the first part. An accommodation part for accommodating the main magnetic pole includes: a first layer having a groove; a second layer lying between the first layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove; and a third layer interposed in part between the second layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove. The second layer is formed of a metal material different from a material used to form the first layer. The third layer is formed of an inorganic insulating material. The second and third layers lie between the first layer and the first part. The second layer lies between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part, but the third layer does not. The distance between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part is smaller than that between the bottom and the first part.

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 perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a nonmagnetic insulating layer and a main magnetic pole layer disposed on the nonmagnetic insulating layer. The main magnetic pole layer includes a pole straight part exposed in an opposing surface opposite a recording medium and a flared part that extends from the pole straight part in a height direction. The flared part broadens in a track width direction as the flared part extends in the height direction. The pole straight part of the main magnetic pole layer as viewed from the opposing surface has a trapezoidal shape over its entire length, the trapezoidal shape being narrowed at the nonmagnetic insulating layer-side. The flared part as viewed from the opposing surface has a trapezoidal shape at least at a junction with the pole straight part, the trapezoidal shape being narrowed at the nonmagnetic insulating layer-side.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head is provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer overlapped with a sub-yoke layer. The sub-yoke layer having a multiple-magnetic domain includes a magnetic domain having dominant track-widthwise component in contact with a front end face of the sub-yoke layer. A main magnetic pole layer 24 is overlapped with the magnetic domain 35b and is affected by the magnetic domain 35b.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing sub-micron write head flare definition is provided. The method for processing a perpendicular magnetic head forms a portion of a perpendicular write head, where the portion of the write head includes a first pole layer, a coil layer, a second pole layer and a write pole, the method forms a portion of a magnetic read head adjacent to the portion of the perpendicular write head, where the portion of the read head includes a shield layer and a sensor, the method also laps the write pole concurrently with the sensor to define a flare position of the pole tip and to define a sensor height, where the flare position of the pole tip is defined in the same photo-lithography step as the back edge of the sensor.

Abstract: A write head includes a write return yoke, a write yoke connected to the write return yoke, conductive coils surrounding the write yoke, a write pole tip, and a non-magnetic spacer connecting the write pole tip to the write yoke. The non-magnetic spacer allows for reducing a magnetization of the write pole tip due to a remnant magnetic field in the write yoke. In another embodiment, the write head comprises a write shield, a write return yoke, a write yoke, conductive coils, a write pole tip, and a saturable yoke shunt connecting the write pole tip and the write shield. The saturable yoke shunt directs a limited amount of magnetic flux from the write pole tip to the write shield, such that when there is a remnant magnetic field in the write pole tip, the magnetic flux is directed to the write shield rather than to a disk.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a perpendicular magnetic head with a narrow track and excellent high frequency characteristics. In one embodiment, a recording magnetic head includes coil conductors and magnetic pole pieces putting the same therebetween, in which a main magnetic pole piece is formed into a planar structure and a magnetic film connected with the main magnetic pole piece in a magnetic coupling relation is curved in the direction of the film thickness. Further, a shield material disposed near the main magnetic pole piece is made of a material of higher resistance than that of the material for the read shield.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a pole layer, a shield layer, a gap layer disposed between the pole layer and the shield layer, and a coil. The shield layer incorporates a first layer, a second layer, a third layer and a fourth layer that are disposed on the gap layer one by one. The first layer has an end face located in a medium facing surface. The second layer has: a first surface located in the medium facing surface; a second surface touching the first layer; and a third surface opposite to the second surface. The third layer touches the third surface of the second layer. An end face of each of the third and fourth layers closer to the medium facing surface is located at a distance from the medium facing surface.

Abstract: The structure for a closely spaced, coplanar tape head array is disclosed. Narrow pitch is obtained by utilizing an orthogonal backgap structure, wherein the width of the backgap is less than the depth, thereby narrowing the footprint of individual head structures. The increased cross sectional area of the orthogonal backgap and revised yoke design ensure sufficient magnetic field strength at the write gap of each head.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head has a magnetic write pole (WP) and a trailing shield (TS). The TS has a height (TS-HT) and a throat height (TS-TH) in a direction perpendicular to the ABS, with TS-TH being less than TS-HT. Nonmagnetic material is located between the TS and the WP and separates the TS from the WP. The nonmagnetic material includes a gap layer and a nonmagnetic electroplated “bump” or pad between the WP and the TS. The pad has a front edge generally parallel to and recessed from the ABS so that the TS-TH is generally equal to the distance from the ABS to the pad's front edge. An electrical lapping guide (ELG) is formed adjacent to the write head, with the back edge of the ELG being defined in the same process step that defines the location of the recessed front edge of the electroplated pad.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head structure has a configuration adapted to manufacture a thin-film magnetic head configured such that a main magnetic pole layer including a magnetic pole end part on a side of a medium-opposing surface opposing a recording medium, a write shield layer opposing the magnetic pole end part so as to form a recording gap layer on the medium-opposing surface side, and a thin-film coil wound about the write shield layer or main magnetic pole layer are laminated. The main magnetic pole layer has an end face joint structure where respective end faces of the magnetic pole end part and a yoke magnetic pole part having a size greater than that of the magnetic pole end part are joined to each other, and a surface with a flat surface on a side closer to the thin-film coil.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises first and second magnetic layers, a gap layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers, a coupling portion for magnetically coupling the first and second magnetic layers to each other at a distance from a medium facing surface ABS, and a thin-film coil, part of which is disposed between the first and second magnetic layers. The second magnetic layer has a pole portion layer and a yoke portion layer. The thin-film magnetic head further comprises a non-magnetic layer that is in contact with the surface of the pole portion layer farther from the gap layer. The non-magnetic layer prevents the surface of the pole portion layer farther from the gap layer from being damaged during the manufacturing process of the head, and thereby maintains the flatness of the surface.