Abstract: A sub-structure, suitable for use as a hot seed on which to form a perpendicular magnetic main write pole, is described. It is made up of a buffer layer of atomic layer deposited alumina on which there are one or more seed layers having a body-centered cubic (bcc) crystal structure. Finally, the high coercivity magnetic film lies on the seed layer(s). It is critical that the high coercivity magnetic film be deposited at a very low deposition rate (around 1 Angstrom per second).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a tapered leading edge and a tapered trailing edge. The method includes forming a non-magnetic bump player over a surface, forming a mask over the non-magnetic bump layer and performing a first ion milling to form a tapered back edge on the non-magnetic bump layer. A magnetic write pole material is then deposited over the surface and over the non-magnetic bump layer. Then a non-magnetic step structure is formed over the magnetic write pole material and an ion milling is performed to form a taper on the upper surface of the write pole. The write pole lateral dimensions can then be defined, and a non-magnetic bump formed over the tapered portion of the upper surface of the write pole. Another ion milling can then be performed to extend the taper of the surface of the write pole.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a stepped trailing shield. The stepped trailing shield is formed by forming a non-magnetic bump over a write pole prior to electroplating a wrap-around magnetic shield. The method allows the location of the front edge of the bump relative to the back edge of the wrap-around shield to be monitored by measuring the electrical resistance of an electrical lapping guide formed concurrently with these features. This concurrent formation of a lapping guide can be used to define the relative location of other features as well, such as the location of a back edge of a wrap-around shield relative to a flare point of a write pole.

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 tip on a side of a medium-opposing surface opposing a recording medium, a write shield layer opposing the magnetic pole tip 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 magnetic pole tip of the main magnetic pole layer includes an even width portion having a substantially even width along an extending direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a flared step feature that defines a secondary flare point. The method involves depositing a magnetic write pole material on a substrate and then depositing a magnetic material over the write pole material followed by a non-magnetic material. A first mask is formed having a front edge to define the location of the secondary flare point, and one or more material removal processes are used to remove portions of the magnetic layer and non-magnetic layer that are not protected by this first mask. The first mask is replaced by a second mask that is configured to define a write pole, and an ion milling is performed to define the write pole. Shadowing from the magnetic layer and non-magnetic layer form a flared secondary flare point.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head with an overall planar design and tight dimensional control of throat height and notch width is achieved below the gap. Writer poles include very high magnetic moment material on both sides of the writer gap. Additionally the pole tips are shaped to provide high field with good spatial gradient for optimal writing conditions, thereby extending the capability of longitudinal recording heads for high density and high frequency applications.

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.