Abstract: A write head configured for thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) has a split-yoke design that allows the yoke and magnetic pole to be formed as planar layers while the split between left and right-side portions of the yoke and magnetic pole eliminate adverse coupling between the magnetic writing field and the optical near-field heating field. The planar design is easy to fabricate and provides rapid rise time and a strong magnetic field using fewer current-carrying coils than in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus illustratively includes a return pole (RP) and a shield. The RP has a first RP magnetic layer, a second RP magnetic layer, and a RP non-magnetic layer. The RP non-magnetic layer separates and magnetically decouples the RP first and second magnetic layers. The shield has a first shield magnetic layer, a second shield magnetic layer, and a shield non-magnetic layer. The shield non-magnetic layer separates and magnetically decouples the shield first and second magnetic layers. A method illustratively includes generating magnetic flux and collecting the magnetic flux through an inner magnetic shell.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin-film magnetic head comprises a lower magnetic pole layer forming step of forming a lower magnetic pole layer; a lower magnetic pole projection forming step of forming the lower magnetic pole layer with a lower magnetic pole projection; a gap layer forming step of laminating a nonmagnetic gap layer on the lower magnetic pole projection; and an upper magnetic pole forming step of forming an upper magnetic pole on the nonmagnetic gap layer. The lower magnetic pole projection forming step forms the lower magnetic pole projection by simultaneously etching an area including parts adjacent to a part to become the lower magnetic pole projection on both sides in a track width direction and a part adjacent to the part to become the lower magnetic pole projection on the side opposite from a medium-opposing surface in a surface of the lower magnetic pole layer.

Abstract: Excellent magnetization switching of a magnetic recording medium is promoted in microwave assisted magnetic recording to provide a highly-reliable high-density information recording device. A receded section from an air bearing surface is arranged at an end section in a write track width direction on an FGL laminate film for generating a high-frequency field. Alternatively, a cross section of the FGL laminate film (plane perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the electric current) has an inverted trapezoid shape or has a structure in which the area of the cross section increases with distance from the main pole. Since an excellent recording pattern is formed on the recording medium, areal recording density in the information recording device can be increased, and the reliability can be improved at the same time. As a result, the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a write pole that prevents P2 pedestal consumption during ion milling removal of coil and pole seed layers. The write head can be constructed by forming a first pole and then forming a magnetic pedestal (P2) over the first pole. A protective layer of, for example, alumina is deposited over a portion of the pedestal in the pole tip region, leaving a portion of the pedestal uncovered in the flare region. A coil seed layer can then be deposited and a coil formed. When the coil seed layer is removed, such as by ion milling, the pole tip region of the pedestal is protected from the ion milling by the protective layer. Similarly, a top pole can be deposited by first depositing an electrically conductive, magnetic seed layer and then plating the top pole. When the top pole seed layer is removed by ion milling, the pole tip region of the pedestal is protected from removal by the protective layer.

Abstract: Perpendicular-magnetic-recording head with leading-edge taper of a planarized stepped-pole layer having greater recess distance than a flare point of a main-pole layer. The perpendicular-magnetic-recording head includes a write element including the main-pole layer having the flare point recessed a first distance from a pole tip of the main-pole layer at an air-bearing surface below the air-bearing surface. The write element includes the stepped-pole layer magnetically coupled with the main-pole layer across an interface between the main-pole layer and the stepped-pole layer. The stepped-pole layer has the leading-edge taper recessed a second distance from the pole tip of the main-pole layer at an air-bearing surface below the air-bearing surface. The second distance of the leading-edge taper is greater than the first distance of the flare point.

Abstract: A transducing head includes a substrate, a writer positioned upon the substrate, and a reader positioned adjacent the writer. The writer is in electrical contact with the substrate.

Abstract: A write pole for vertical magnetic recording is described. It includes a trapezoidal prism of high magnetic moment material, having inwardly sloping sidewalls. Its parallel surfaces are between about 0.1 and 0.3 microns apart and the sidewalls slope in the range of 15.5 to 60 degrees relative to vertical.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film is formed of a CoFeNi alloy containing trace amounts of chlorine and sulfur as impurities. The stress of the soft magnetic film can be reduced effectively, specifically to 1,200 MPa or less, by adjusting the concentration ratio of chlorine to sulfur within the range from 1 to 60. In addition, variations in film stress can be reduced to provide higher yields of CoFeNi alloy films with low stresses.