Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes forming a mask above a thin film sensor stack; forming an electrically insulating layer above the mask and sensor stack, the insulating layer having a portion extending along a nonhorizontal end of the mask; selectively removing the insulating layer except for the portion thereof extending along the nonhorizontal end of the mask; removing portions of the sensor stack that are not covered by the mask and the portion of the insulating layer, wherein an end of the portion of the insulating layer positioned away from the mask is about aligned with a back end of the sensor stack after removing the portions thereof; and removing the mask. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: One-sided magnetic media for a hard disk drive. Methods are implemented to create a magnetic media with only one surface capable of recording data. The second surface is a non-data recording side of the media and is constructed so that it does not interfere with the recording properties of the recording side or the structural usefulness of the media. Additionally, the second surface can be a low quality surface capable of limited magnetic recording.

Abstract: The present invention is a manufacturing method of improving the signal-to-medium noise ratio of a magnetic media disk through closer head-to-media spacing, and the resulting disk, by evenly lubricating a magnetic media disk, increasing the viscosity of a selected region of the disk, and removing at least a portion of the lower viscosity region of the lubrication layer, thereby decreasing the thickness of the lubrication layer in the portion of the lower viscosity region, producing a magnetic media disk capable of closer head-to-media spacing in the portion of the lower viscosity region of the lubrication layer.

Abstract: A method for the production of a magnetic recording medium includes the steps of forming a magnetic layer on a nonmagnetic substrate, injecting atoms into portions of the magnetic layer to cause the portions to be demagnetized or allowed to acquire amorphousness, thereby forming a magnetically separated magnetic recording pattern, the step of injecting atoms including the steps of applying to a surface of the formed magnetic layer an SOG film as a resist, partly removing or thinning the resist, and irradiating the surface with atoms, thereby partly injecting atoms into the magnetic layer through the portions of the magnetic layer from which the resist is removed or in which the resist is thinned.

Abstract: An electromagnetic noise suppressor including a ferrite film is formed by regularly arranging constituents such as magnetized grains or one analogous to that. In the ferrite film, the constituents have at least one of the uniaxial anisotropy and the multiaxial anisotropy. The ferrite film has the magnetic anisotropy or the magnetic isotropy. The ferrite film is formed by a plating method in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for magnetic recording that includes a storage medium having a media surface. The media surface has a plurality of lands and recesses between the lands. A polymer layer fills the recesses so that the media surface is substantially planar.

Abstract: A method of producing a master information carrier by scanning a track a number of times. The method produces a master information carrier has a pattern of a magnetic layer representing information to be transferred to a high-density recording slave medium where the track width is not larger than 0.3 ?m. The pattern is drawn by scanning a given track a plurality of times with an electron beam whose drawing diameter is smaller than the track width.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is manufactured having excellent thermal stability and recording performances across the entire disk surface. In one embodiment, the recording layer includes at least two layers deposited by using a reactive sputtering method under an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a deposition rate larger than the second recording layer which is formed on the first recording layer while depositing the first recording layer on the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A permanent magnet is provided which has formed a Dy, Tb film on a surface of an iron-boron-rare earth sintered magnet of a predetermined shape, with diffusion thereof into grain boundary phases, having a higher coercive force. The method of manufacturing a permanent magnet includes a film-forming step of evaporating metal evaporating material containing at least one of Dy and Tb and adhering evaporated metal atoms to a surface of the iron-boron-rare earth sintered magnet, and a diffusing step of performing heat treatment to diffuse metal atoms adhered to the surface into grain boundary phases of the sintered magnet. The metal evaporating material contains at least one of Nd and Pr.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic particle holding carrier enabling automatization of treatment of a biological substance such as a protein by improving dispersibility of nano-size magnetic particles and suppressing nonspecific adsorption onto the wall of a container such as a pipette tip without damaging the properties of the nano-size magnetic particles such as a large solid-phase area and ability to arbitrarily design a functional protein, and provide a method for preparing the same. The magnetic particle holding carrier is formed of a micro-size nonmagnetic carrier and a plurality of nano-size magnetic particles bound to the carrier.

Abstract: A compound comprising a backbone with a perfluoropolyether chain. The compound also has one or more cyclophosphazene rings attached to or incorporated into the backbone. The compound further includes at least two functional groups attached to the backbone, attached to the one or more cyclophosphazene rings, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The object of the present is to provide high-quality magnetic recording media capable of easy tracking, and allowing high-density recording, high-speed recording, and higher capacity without increasing the write-current at magnetic heads. The nanohole structure comprises a metal or metal-compound base material and plural arrays of nanoholes, wherein the plural arrays of nanoholes are respectively arranged into regular alignments, the regular alignments are different between adjacent arrays, and the regular alignments are alternately disposed within the metal or metal-compound base material. The magnetic recording medium according to the present invention comprises a substrate, a porous layer into which plural nanoholes are formed, and a magnetic material within the plural nanoholes, wherein the plural nanoholes are formed in a direction approximately vertical to the plane of the substrate, the porous layer is a nanohole structure according to the present invention.

Abstract: The process for producing a magnet according to the invention is characterized by comprising a first step in which a heavy rare earth compound containing Dy or Th as a heavy rare earth element is adhered onto a sintered compact of a rare earth magnet and a second step in which the heavy rare earth compound-adhered sintered compact is subjected to heat treatment, wherein the heavy rare earth compound is a Dy or Th iron compound.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: (I) is provided, where R is selected from CF3, F, and H, and m is an integer from 1 to 22. The compound may be prepared by reacting a first reactant with a second reactant in a solution, where the first reactant is a 2,4-dichloro-2,4,6,6-tetra(aryloxy)-1,3,5-triaza-2,4,6-triphosphorine, and the second reactant is a perfluoropolyether of the formula CF3CF2CF2O(CF2CF2CF2O)mCF2CF2CH2OH. The aryloxy is selected from 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy (p-CF3—C6H4O), 4-fluorophenoxy (p-F—C6H4O), and phenoxy (C6H5O). The first reactant may be prepared by reacting 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloro-1,3,5-triaza-2,4,6-triphosphorine with a phenoxide. The compound may be used in a lubricant for lubricating a surface. The lubricant may be applied to a recording surface in a magnetic recording device including a recording medium.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a three terminal magnetic (TTM) sensor of a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes fabricating a P-type semiconductor material; fabricating an N-type semiconductor material at an upper surface of a portion of said P-type semiconductor material; fabricating a spin valve structure upon said N-type semiconductor material; engaging a collector lead to said P-type semiconductor material; engaging a base lead to said N-type semiconductor material; and engaging an emitter lead to said spin valve structure.

Abstract: A method in one approach includes forming a first layer of a nonmagnetic material over two sides of a structure, the first layer being substantially absent from above a top of the structure; depositing an overlayer of an etchable, nonmagnetic material over the first layer and the top of the structure; and etching the overlayer for substantially removing the overlayer from above the top of the structure, wherein a substantial portion of the overlayer remains along the two sides of the structure after the etching. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pattern forming method using phase separation structure of self-assembling block copolymer and minimizing variations in pattern. A substrate having groove structure pre-formed thereon, is coated with a solution of the block copolymer comprising at least one block having a mesogen group. The block copolymer is caused to self-assemble in the groove to form block copolymer assemblies, which are regularly arrayed. The invention also relates to a processing method of processing a substrate by the use of the pattern obtained by the pattern forming method as a template.

Abstract: Composites and methods associated with the same are provided. The composite structures are formed of quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles. The structures may be coated, for example, with a non-organic shell such as silica. In some cases, the shell may be functionalized or derivatized to include compounds, atoms, or materials that can alter or improve properties such as water solubility, water stability, photo-stability and biocompatibility. A reverse microemulsion process can be used to form the coated composites. The composition and other characteristics of the composites may be controlled to provide desired magnetic and optical properties. The structures may be used in a variety of applications including biological labeling, magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) and drug targeting, amongst others.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials; and storing the magnetic head. A method in another embodiment includes applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials, the organic coating being applied to the magnetic head after the head is installed in the magnetic storage system. Another method includes fabricating a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials; applying the organic coating to the applicator portion of the tape; and applying a lubricant to a data portion of the tape. A method in another embodiment includes fabricating a tape having a data portion, and a cleaning portion for removing an organic coating from a magnetic head.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for vapor lubrication comprising a chamber, a diffuser plate having an array of orifices, a shutter plate having substantially the same pattern of orifices as that of the diffuser plate, a holder for holding an object to be vapor coated in the chamber, and an actuator to move the shutter plate to align the array of orifices of the shutter plate with the array of orifices of the diffuser plate or at least partially block the array of orifices of the diffuser plate with the diffuser plate.

Abstract: A method including forming a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure includes a seed layer comprising a first component selected from the group consisting of a Pt-group metal, Fe, Mn, Ir and Co. The multilayer structure also includes an intermediate layer comprising the first component and a second component selected from the group consisting of a Pt-group metal, Fe, Mn, Ir and Co. The second component is different than the first component. The multilayer structure further includes a cap layer comprising the first component. The method further includes heating the multilayer structure to an annealing temperature to cause a phase transformation of the intermediate layer. Also a hard magnet including a seed layer comprising a first component selected from the group consisting of a Pt-group metal, Fe, Mn, Ir and Co. The hard magnet also includes a cap layer comprising the first component. The hard magnet further includes an intermediate layer between the seed layer and the cap layer.

Abstract: Concerns about inadequate electromigration robustness in CCP CPP GMR devices have been overcome by adding magnesium to the current confining structures that are presently in use. In one embodiment the alumina layer, in which the current carrying copper regions are embedded, is fully replaced by a magnesia layer. In other embodiments, alumina is still used but a layer of magnesium is included within the structure before it is subjected to ion assisted oxidation.

Abstract: A vertical recording magnetic head and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer on a surface opposite to a recording medium and a pair of neck height markers which is exposed on the surface around the main magnetic pole layer and which indicates a neck height position of the main magnetic pole layer by way of inter-exposure area ratios. The neck height markers have one cross sections that increases and the other that decreases even though the cross sections in a plane parallel to the surface are oriented toward forward or backward directions in a neck height direction. The neck height markers have the same cross sections at a specific cross sectional position parallel to the surface.

Abstract: A spin valve structure for a spintronic device is disclosed and includes a composite seed layer made of at least Ta and a metal layer having a fcc(111) or hcp(001) texture to enhance perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying (Co/Ni)x multilayer. The (Co/Ni)x multilayer is deposited by a low power and high Ar pressure process to avoid damaging Co/Ni interfaces and thereby preserving PMA. As a result, only a thin seed layer is required. PMA is maintained even after annealing at 220° C. for 10 hours. Examples of GMR and TMR spin valves are described and may be incorporated in spin transfer oscillators and spin transfer MRAMs. The free layer is preferably made of a FeCo alloy including at least one of Al, Ge, Si, Ga, B, C, Se, Sn, or a Heusler alloy, or a half Heusler alloy to provide high spin polarization and a low magnetic damping coefficient.

Abstract: A high recording density magnetic recording medium and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The dilution stability during preparation of magnetic paint is improved and, thereby, even when the magnetic paint concentration is lowered, no problem occurs with the surface roughness and the output of the thin magnetic layer. The magnetic recording medium includes at least a magnetic layer on one surface of a non-magnetic support, wherein the magnetic layer contains a magnetic powder, a vinyl chloride resin having a degree of polymerization of at least 270 and an aliphatic polyester polyurethane resin to serve as binder resins, an aromatic compound having a substituent R (where R is —COOH, —(COOH)2, —OPO(OH)2, —PO(OH)2, or —SO3H), and a phosphoric acid ester. The ratio of binder resins in the magnetic paint is set at 2.0 percent by weight or less relative to a total sum of the binder resins and a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a sintered NdFeB magnet having high coercivity and capable of being brought into applications without lowering its residual magnetic flux density or maximum energy product and without reprocessing. The method for producing a sintered NdFeB magnet according to the present invention includes applying a substance containing dysprosium (Dy) and/or terbium (Tb) to the surface of the sintered NdFeB magnet forming a base body and then heating the magnet to diffuse Dy and/or Tb through the grain boundary and thereby increase the coercivity of the magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium has a recording layer, a protection layer and a lubricant layer that are stacked above a substrate. The lubricant layer includes a bond layer in contact with the protection layer, and a mobile layer at a surface of the magnetic recording medium and having a bonding strength weaker than that of the bond layer with respect to the protection layer. A height of convex portions at a surface portion of the mobile layer is approximately 0.3 nm or less.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a read head for a magnetic disk drive having a read head sensor and a hard bias layer, where the read head has a shaped junction between the read head sensor and the hard bias layer. The method includes providing a layered wafer stack to be shaped. A single- or multi-layered photoresist mask having no undercut is deposited upon the layered wafer stack to be shaped. The layered wafer stack is shaped by the output of a milling source, where the shaping includes partial milling to within a partial milling range to form a shaped junction. A hard bias layer is then deposited which is in contact with the shaped junction of the wafer stack.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head includes forming a first recessed portion for insulation and a second recessed portion for contact that reach the substrate through the first insulating layer from a side of the first insulating layer of the substrate having the first insulating layer thereon; forming a second insulating layer on the substrate in the first recessed portion; and forming the lower shield layer in the first recessed portion and a contact portion in the second recessed portion.

Abstract: A novel heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium and the fabrication method therefor are provided. The exchange coupling effect occurring at the interface of FePt/CoTb double layers is adopted, and thus the resulting magnetic flux would be sufficient enough to be detected and readout under the room temperature. The provided HAMR medium exhibits a relatively high saturation magnetization and perpendicular coercivity, and thus possesses a great potential for the ultra-high density recording application.

Abstract: An iron-based soft magnetic powder for dust core includes an iron-based soft magnetic matrix powder, and arranged thereon in the following order, a phosphate coating and a silicone resin coating. The phosphate coating contains P, Co, Na, and S in combination with at least one of Al and Cs. This iron powder for dust core has superior mechanical strength, in which effective insulation is achieved between iron powdery particles even when the amount of an insulating material is reduced for realizing high-density molding. The iron powder for dust core is also superior in thermal stability, so that electrical insulation is maintained even after a heat treatment at high temperatures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium having a recording area includes the steps of forming in the recording area a conductive area that includes a plurality of sectors each made of a conductive magnetic body and is partitioned by a nonmagnetic insulator, and recording a reference signal in all of the plurality of sectors by continuously injecting into the conductive area spin-polarized current having a magnetization pattern corresponding to the reference signal so as to sequentially move a domain wall in the conductive area, an injecting position of the spin-polarized current being fixed while the reference signal being recorded in the plurality of sectors, the reference signal being used for a head to confirm a position on the recording area, the head being configured to record information in the recording area and to reproduce the information from the recording area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a write pole with a very narrow track width and well controlled critical dimensions. The write pole is formed by depositing an electrically conductive seed layer over a substrate, and then depositing a photo resist layer over the seed layer. The photo resist layer is photolithographically exposed and developed to form an opening or trench in the photoreist layer, the opening defining the pattern of the write pole. A magnetic material is then plated into the opening in the photoresist layer. The photo resist layer can then be removed by a chemical lift off, and portions of the seed layer that are not covered by the write pole can be removed by ion milling.

Abstract: A Si substrate for a magnetic recording medium having excellent surface flatness without making a processing process and deposition process of a magnetic recording layer complex, as well as a thermal conductivity that is unchanged from a bulk substrate of a single crystal and a polycrystal is provided. A metal film is deposited (S7) on a polycrystalline silicon substrate after rough polishing (S6) and silicidated or silicon-alloyed (S8). Thereafter, the film is subjected to precision polishing (S9) such as CMP polishing to increase the flatness of the substrate. Accordingly, the Si substrate for a magnetic recording medium can obtain a flat and smooth surface without being influenced by a difference between crystal orientations of the polycrystalline grains and the presence of crystal grain boundary, and can obtain heat resistance and a thermal conductivity approximately equivalent to a bulk Si substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a plurality of recording tracks magnetically continuous with respect to a recording direction and arranged intermittently in a track width direction, a plurality of recording dots intermittently formed in the recording tracks in the recording direction and a plurality of space dots alternately formed in the recording track with the recording dots in the recording direction and having a magnetic moment per unit area smaller than a magnetic moment per unit area of the recording dots.

Abstract: The invention involves methods, assays, and components for the detection and analysis of binding between biological or chemical species, and can specifically be used for drug discovery. In an example where drug discovery is carried out, different candidate drugs can be attached to different articles such as magnetic beads. The beads can be exposed to colloid particles carrying signaling entities, or other signaling entities, immobilized with respect to protein targets of the drug candidates. After incubation, all beads are drawn to separate surface locations magnetically. Beads are released from surface locations where it is determined that signaling entities do not exist, and are removed from the assay. Beads held at other surface locations then are released, re-distributed, and re-attracted to surface locations. This is repeated with appropriate wash steps, until individual drug candidates can be isolated and identified.

Abstract: Nanoparticles that facilitate imaging of biological tissue and methods for formulating the nanoparticles are provided. In order to form suitable nanoparticles for imaging, an anionic surfactant may be applied to superparamagnetic nanoparticles to form modified nanoparticles. The modified nanoparticles may be mixed with a polymer in a solvent to form a first mixture, and a non-solvent may be mixed with the first mixture to form a second mixture. An emulsion may be formed from the second mixture and the polymeric nanoparticles may be isolated from the emulsion. In certain embodiments of the invention, an antibody may be attached to the polymeric nanoparticles to facilitate attachment of the nanoparticles to biological tissue.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant rare earth magnet is obtained by (i) applying a treating liquid comprising a flaky fine powder and a metal sol to a surface of R-T-M-B rare earth permanent magnet and then heating to form a composite film of flaky fine powder/metal oxide on the magnet surface; (ii) applying a treating liquid comprising a flaky fine powder and a silane and/or a partial hydrolyzate thereof to a surface of R-T-M-B rare earth permanent magnet and then heating a flaky fine powder/silane and/or partially hydrolyzed silane coating to form a composite film on the magnet surface; or (iii) applying a treating liquid comprising a flaky fine powder and an alkali silicate to a surface of R-T-M-B rare earth permanent magnet and then heating to form a composite film of flaky fine powder/alkali silicate glass on the magnet surface.

Abstract: Magnetic tunnel junctions and method for making the magnetic tunnel junctions are provided. The magnetic tunnel junctions are characterized by a tunnel barrier oxide layer sandwiched between two ferromagnetic layers. The methods used to fabricate the magnetic tunnel junctions are capable of completely and selectively oxidizing a tunnel junction precursor material using an oxidizing gas containing a mixture of gases to provide a tunnel junction oxide without oxidizing the adjacent ferromagnetic materials. In some embodiments the gas mixture is a mixture of CO and CO2 or a mixture of H2 and H2O.

Abstract: Truncated quadrangular pyramids 402 to be ABSs 15b, a quadrangular pyramid 401 to be a near field optical element 16, and metal films 303 and 304 formed on the quadrangular pyramid 401 are formed on the under surface of a substrate to be a near field optical head 15, the metal films 303 and 304 are electrically connected to an ohmmeter 405 through a conductive interconnect 18. A flat polishing material 404 arranged so as to face to the under surface of the substrate is used to polish the truncated quadrangular pyramid 402, the quadrangular pyramid 401, and the metal films 303 and 304 so that a top face 301e of the near field optical element 16 is in a predetermined size and the top face 301e and the ABSs 15b are in the same plane. At this time, the electrical resistance of the metal films 303 and 304 is changed by being polished, and the ohmmeter 405 detects the end point in the polishing step.

Abstract: A display board, for personal or business use, capable of receiving and at least temporarily retaining information such as various reminders or memorabilia, The board is comprised of at least two members. A display member, including a ferro-magnetic plate, has a front and back surface, and a graphic image is created (e.g. formed on or attached to) on a predetermined area of said front surface. A transparent protective coating is created over at least selected areas of the graphic image, so as to make such selected areas susceptible to markings thereon or temporary attachment thereto. The markings are temporary, and are of either dry-erase or wet-erase types; they may include such information as reminders and temporary notations for a user, and items such as keys, note cards, etc. may be temporarily held to such ares of the graphic image.

Abstract: A method of encasing a magnet to isolate the magnet from the environment is provided. The method includes introducing a magnet to a housing having at least one passage capable of passing a fluid from the environment to the magnet, introducing a hardenable fluid, for example, a resin, to the passage to obstruct the passage, and solidifying the hardenable fluid in the passage to provide a solid obstruction to the passage to isolate the magnet from environmental fluids. The housing may be provided as two mating housings and the passage may be provided by the mating surfaces between the two housings. An encased magnet is also disclosed. The encased magnet may be used in any environment that may be damaging to the magnet, for example, in surgical or prosthetic applications.

Abstract: A suspension load beam used for attachment to a slider assembly and an actuation arm in a disc drive for data storage has a rigid middle beam section comprising a rigid bottom layer, a rigid top layer and a composite core layer sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer. A method for fabricating a vibration resistant mechanical member used a disc drive subject to high frequency motion operations is also disclosed. The method involves making an integral laminate structure and fabricating the mechanical member from the integral laminate structure. The integral laminate structure has a rigid bottom layer, a composite core layer on top of the rigid bottom layer, and a rigid top layer on top of the core layer so that the composite core layer is sandwiched between the rigid bottom layer and the rigid top layer.

Abstract: A soft magnetic material includes a plurality of composite magnetic particles (30) having metallic magnetic particles (10) that are composed of pure iron, and an insulation film (20) that surrounds the surface of the metallic magnetic particles (10), wherein the manganese content of the metallic magnetic particles (10) is 0.013 mass % or less, and is more preferably 0.008 mass % or less. Hysteresis loss can thereby be effectively reduced.

Abstract: Patterned magnetic recording media and associated methods of fabrication are described. The patterned magnetic recording media includes a perpendicular magnetic recording layer that is patterned into a plurality of discrete magnetic islands. The patterned magnetic recording media also includes an exchange bridge structure formed from magnetic material that connects the islands of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer. Connecting the islands with magnetic material increases exchange coupling between the islands, which makes the islands more magnetically stable.

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. This bump is formed by constructing a mask having an opening configured to define the non-magnetic bump. A magnetic material is then sputter deposited. In order to decrease deposition of the magnetic material on the sides of the mask, a collimator is used to align the deposited material along a plane substantially parallel with an air bearing surface plane. This collimation of the deposited magnetic material greatly facilitates liftoff, and more importantly prevents the formation of fences which would otherwise have to be removed by a harsh, aggressive process.

Abstract: A memory media and a method to provide same. The memory media includes: a media layer comprising a ferroelectric layer having a bottom surface and a top surface; a plurality of adjacent charge domains defined in the ferroelectric layer, the domains including alternating up domains and down domains each extending between the bottom surface and the top surface; and a trapped charge region adjacent a top surface of the media layer, the trapped charge region including charges in addition to the charges present in the charge domains at regions thereof other than regions adjacent the top surface of the media layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to hybrid materials comprising polymers which envelop nanoscale, superparamagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic or paramagnetic powders, to a process for producing these materials and to their use.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes: a pole layer; a pole-layer-encasing layer made of a nonmagnetic material and having a top surface and a groove that opens at the top surface; and a nonmagnetic layer that is made of a nonmagnetic metal material, disposed in the groove and forms a pole-layer-encasing section that accommodates the pole layer. A method of manufacturing the magnetic head includes the steps of: forming the pole-layer-encasing layer; forming an initial nonmagnetic layer in the groove of the pole-layer-encasing layer by physical vapor deposition, the initial nonmagnetic layer being intended to become the nonmagnetic layer later by undergoing etching of a surface thereof, etching the surface of the initial nonmagnetic layer by dry etching so that the initial nonmagnetic layer becomes the nonmagnetic layer; and forming the pole layer in the pole-layer-encasing section formed by the nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: A structure and method for performing magnetic inductance testing of write heads formed on a wafer. The structure and method allows for the effective inductive testing of magnetic write heads at wafer level even if the write heads have an inductance that is too low to be effectively measured directly. A test head is constructed having a structure similar to that of the write heads, but having a significantly higher magnetic inductance. The higher magnetic inductance of the write head can be provided by extending the shaping layer to or beyond the air bearing surface plane ABS. The inductance of the test head can be further increased by increasing the width of the portion of the shaping layer that extends to the ABS (ie. shaping layer throat) and by increasing the width of the write pole throat.