Abstract: An apparatus for two dimensional reading may be constructed, in accordance with some embodiments, with a number of magnetic stacks respectively configured to engage adjacent data tracks of a data storage media. Each magnetic stack can be disposed between top and bottom shields while each shield is segmented into a number of contacts different than the number of magnetic stacks.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for magnetic data recording that includes a structure having a low coefficient of thermal expansion for controlling thermal expansion of the write head. The structure having a low coefficient of thermal expansion has a shape that substantially conforms to the shape of the write coil, such that both the write coil and the structure having a low coefficient of thermal expansion have a central portion that is located closest to the air bearing surface and outer end portions that bend away from the air bearing surface to form a horseshoe shape.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a write shield layer, a gap layer, and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. The thin-film magnetic head has a shield magnetic layer. The shield magnetic layer has a leading shield part. The leading shield part is disposed on a substrate side of the main magnetic pole layer. The leading shield part has a variable distance structure in which a rearmost part most distanced from the medium-opposing surface is distanced more from the main magnetic pole layer than is a foremost part on the main magnetic pole layer side.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a write shield layer, a gap layer, and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. The thin-film magnetic head has a leading shield part opposing the main magnetic pole layer on the substrate side of the main magnetic pole layer. The thin-film magnetic head has a substrate side coil layer disposed between the main magnetic pole layer and the substrate. In the thin-film magnetic head, a space between a lower end face of the leading shield part and the substrate and a space between an upper end face in the substrate side coil layer and the substrate are formed equal to each other.

Abstract: A high speed magnetic data writer containing a stitched pole tip that works in conjunction with the main pole is disclosed, together with a process for their manufacture. The material composition of each of these two sub-structures is slightly different; one sub-structure is optimized for high magnetic damping while the other sub-structure is optimized for high saturation magnetization.

Abstract: A write pole can have a magnetically conductive pole tip has at least one corner. The at least one corner may be chamfered to limit magnetic saturation of the conductive pole tip. The conductive pole tip can have one or more beveled surface that has a chamfered corner which extends a predetermined distance along an edge of the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic writer includes a write element having a first domain pattern when in a quiescent state and a second domain pattern when in an active state. A biasing structure is configured to induce the write element into the first domain pattern when the magnetic writer is in the quiescent state.

Abstract: A PMR writer with a tapered main pole layer and tapered non-magnetic top-shaping layer is disclosed that minimizes trailing shield saturation. A second non-magnetic top shaping layer may be employed to reduce the effective TH size while the bulk of the trailing shield is thicker to allow a larger process window for back end processing. A sloped surface with one end at the ABS and a second end 0.05 to 0.3 microns from the ABS is formed at a 10 to 80 degree angle to the ABS and includes a sloped surface on the upper portion of the main pole layer and on the non-magnetic top shaping layer. An end is formed on the second non-magnetic top shaping layer at the second end of the sloped surface followed by forming a conformal write gap layer and then depositing the trailing shield on the write gap layer and along the ABS.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a that has a write pole with a tapered trailing edge in a pole tip region, and a trailing shield that has a leading edge that tapers away from the write pole at an angle that is greater than that taper angle of the trailing edge of the write pole. The magnetic head has a step feature with a front edge that is recessed from the ABS. In one embodiment a magnetic wedge is formed over the tapered surface of the write pole. In another embodiment, a non-magnetic bump is formed over a first tapered portion of the write pole adjacent to the front edge of the step feature, and a non-magnetic wedge is formed over a second tapered portion of the write pole and extends from the non-magnetic bump to the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a shield having an end face located in a medium facing surface to wrap around an end face of the main magnetic pole, and a gap part provided between the main magnetic pole and the shield. The shield includes a bottom shield, two side shields, and a top shield. The gap part includes first and second gap layers. In a manufacturing method of the magnetic head, a mold is formed on the top surface of the bottom shield, the mold having a shape determined by photolithography and being intended to be removed later. Next, the two side shields are formed on the top surface of the bottom shield by performing plating without forming a seed layer. Next, the mold is removed and then the first gap layer, the main magnetic pole, the second gap layer, and the top shield are formed in succession.

Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having improved robustness to withstand thermal variations resulting from thermal fly height heating. Improved thermal robustness comes as a result of improved pinned layer pinning. The read head includes an AFM layer having an increased thickness to provide a higher blocking temperature. The read head further includes a pinned layer structure that includes a first magnetic layer adjacent to and exchange coupled with the AFM layer. The first layer comprises a Co—Fe layer with an increased Fe content of 20-30 atomic percent. The pinned layer structure also includes a second magnetic layer that is antiparallel coupled with the AP1 layer. The AP2 layer can be a multi-layer structure that includes a layer of CoFe, a layer of Co—Fe—Hf formed on the layer of Co—Fe, a layer of Co—Fe—B formed on the layer of Co—Fe—Hf, and a second layer of Co—Fe formed on the layer of Co—Fe—B.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating magnetic transducer are described. The method and system include providing a main pole having a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The method and system further include performing a high energy ion mill at an angle from a normal to the top of the main pole and at a first energy. The high energy ion mill removes a portion of the top of the main pole and exposes a top bevel surface for the main pole. The method and system also include performing a low energy ion mill at second energy and a glancing angle from the top bevel surface. The glancing angle is not more than fifteen degrees. The second energy is less than the first energy. The method and system also include depositing a nonmagnetic gap.

Abstract: A magnetic write head with a flux diverting structure for diverting stray flux received from an external source. The write head includes a yoke with two poles and a non-magnetic gap formed there between, and functions to write data to a magnetic storage medium. The flux diverting structure is proximate to the first pole and has a magnetic connection toward the back of the structure, and a non-magnetic separation toward the front of the structure. The flux diverting structure is comprised of a magnetic permeable material such that stray flux is diverted away from portions of the write head.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first read shield and a second read shield and a reader stack between the first and second read shields. The first and second read shields each include a tilted magnetization layer closest to the reader stack to control magnetic field flux lines in a free layer of the reader stack and thereby improve a selectivity of the reader to independently sense and isolate media transitions.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a magnetic write pole with a wrap around magnetic trailing shield. The wrap around magnetic trailing shield is separated by a first non-magnetic side gap at a first side of the write pole and by a second non-magnetic side gap at a second side of the write pole. The first second non-magnetic side gap is larger than the first non-magnetic side gap and is preferably at least twice the thickness of the first non-magnetic side gap. This design provides additional protection adjacent track interference at one side of the write pole and additional protection against magnetic write field loss at the other side of the write pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head has a pole tip shielded laterally by a separated pair of bottom side shields and shielded from above by an upper shield. The bottom side shields surround a lower portion of the pole tip while the upper portion of the pole tip is surrounded by non-magnetic layers. The bottom shields and the non-magnetic layer form a wedge-shaped trench in which the pole tip has been formed by a self-aligned plating process. A write gap layer and an upper shield is formed above the side shields and pole. The resulting structure substantially eliminates track overwrite while maintaining good track definition.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head includes a writing element having a coil for generating magnetic flux and a yoke part that emits magnetic flux induced by the coil from a tape bearing surface opposite a magnetic tape, a substrate where the writing element is formed, and a closure joined with the substrate. A gap formed at a portion between the substrate and the closure exists from the yoke part in a direction orthogonal to a junction surface between the substrate and the closure.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head has an improved antiferromagnetically-coupled laminated main pole (MP) formed on a substrate. The MP has two ferromagnetic multilayers, each comprising at least one FeCo/NiFe/FeCo ferromagnetic trilayer, antiferromagnetically coupled across an antiferromagnetically coupling (AFC) film consisting essentially of ruthenium (Ru). The MP has a NiFe layer directly above the AFC film, on the side of the AFC film opposite the side facing the substrate, and in contact with the Ru AFC film and the lower FeCo layer of the upper multilayer. There is no NiFe layer directly below the Ru AFC film so the side of the AFC film facing the substrate is in direct contact with the upper FeCo layer of the lower multilayer.

Abstract: A process (and the structure resulting therefrom) is described for manufacturing a magnetic write head in which there is no physical interface between the first and second trailing shields. This is achieved by the introduction of a sacrificial layer immediately after the top yoke plating has been done and its photoresist mold has been stripped.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole including a write magnetic pole layer for recording, the write magnetic pole layer comprising magnetic layers being antiferromagnetically coupled via a thin non-magnetic conductor layer between the magnetic layers, wherein the write magnetic pole layer for recording has a flare section which gradually widens in a height-wise direction of a throat height section. The main magnetic pole also includes a non-magnetic cap layer laminated above an uppermost layer of the write magnetic pole layer, the non-magnetic cap layer being textured to provide anisotropy, and a subsidiary magnetic pole layer for supplementing the recording laminated above the non-magnetic cap layer. The head also includes an auxiliary magnetic pole, a magnetic shield positioned via a non-magnetic layer on a trailing edge and both sides of the main magnetic pole in a track width direction, and a coil for generating a recording magnetic field.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, a near-field light generating layer having a generating end part generating near-field light arranged within a medium-opposing surface, and an optical waveguide guiding light to the near-field light generating layer. The thermally assisted magnetic head includes a base layer which a base groove part having a width gradually getting smaller along a depth direction and extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the medium-opposing surface is formed. The near-field light generating layer has an in-groove generating layer formed inside of the base groove part. The in-groove generating layer is formed along an inner wall surface of the base groove part and has a thin-film like structure.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic pole, a spin torque oscillator, a first shield and a second shield. The magnetic pole has an air-bearing surface. The spin torque oscillator is provided so that a first side of the spin torque oscillator faces the magnetic pole in a first direction parallel to the air-bearing surface. The first shield includes a granular magnetic material, and is provided so that two portions of the first shield sandwich the spin torque oscillator in a second direction which is parallel to the air-bearing surface and perpendicular to the first direction. The second shield is provided on a second side of the spin torque oscillator opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A servo write head for writing a servo pattern on a magnetic tape is provided. A flat magnetic pattern writing surface has a magnetic gap contoured to correspond to the servo pattern, and is disposed to allow the magnetic tape to slidably contact therewith. Sloped surfaces are disposed upstream and downstream of the magnetic pattern writing surface in a magnetic tape transport direction at positions retreated from a position of the magnetic pattern writing surface. The sloped surfaces extend obliquely relative to the magnetic pattern writing surface. Connecting surfaces curved gently to smoothly connect the sloped surfaces to the magnetic pattern writing surface are disposed between the magnetic pattern writing surface and each of the sloped surfaces.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, a near-field light generating layer having a generating end part generating near-field light arranged within a medium-opposing surface, and an optical waveguide guiding light to the near-field light generating layer. The near-field light generating layer has a near-field light generating part in a triangle shape with the generating end part being one vertex, and is formed in a triangle pole shape. The optical waveguide is formed to be opposed to a ridge part of the near-field light generating layer via an interposed layer. The main magnetic pole layer is formed to be opposed to the generating end part via the interposed layer. The thermally assisted magnetic head further includes a heat radiating layer in contact with an opposite side of the near-field light generating layer from the optical waveguide.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a facing surface of a slider of a head includes a leading step on an inflow side of the slider, a leading pad on the leading step, a pair of side steps extending in a first direction from the leading step toward an outflow end of the slider and opposed to each other across a space in a second direction, side pads provided on the side steps to be continuous with the side pads, individually, a trailing step located on an outflow side of the airflow and provided with a head section, and induction grooves continuously extending from the leading pad to the side pads, individually, and configured to guide introduced airflow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a writer for shingled recording which includes a write pole having a trailing edge and first and second side edges extending from the trailing edge. The writer further includes a shield extending along and about parallel to only a portion of the trailing edge or only a portion of the first side edge, and the shield does not extend along the second side edge. In addition, an angle formed between the first side edge and the trailing edge along an air bearing surface side of the writer is different than an angle formed between the second side edge and the trailing edge along the air bearing surface side of the writer. Other systems are also presented which include advanced shingled writing head designs.

Abstract: A magnetic writer includes a write element having a first domain pattern when in a quiescent state and a second domain pattern when in an active state. A biasing structure is configured to induce the write element into the first domain pattern when the magnetic writer is in the quiescent state.

Abstract: A hard bias structure for biasing a free layer in a MR element within a read head is comprised of a composite hard bias layer having a Co78.6Cr5.2Pt16.2/Co65Cr15Pt20 configuration. The upper Co65Cr15Pt20 layer has a larger Hc value and a thickness about 2 to 10 times greater than that of the Co78.6Cr5.2Pt16.2 layer. The hard bias structure may also include a BCC underlayer such as FeCoMo which enhances the magnetic moment of the hard bias structure. Optionally, the thickness of the Co78.6Cr5.2Pt16.2 layer is zero and the Co65Cr15Pt20 layer is formed on the BCC underlayer. The present invention also encompasses a laminated hard bias structure. The Mrt value for the hard bias structure may be optimized by adjusting the thicknesses of the BCC underlayer and CoCrPt layers. As a result, a larger process window is realized and lower asymmetry output during a read operation is achieved.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes forming a resist structure above an upper surface of a substrate, wherein a portion of the upper surface of the substrate is a shaping layer, wherein the resist structure has an undercut; depositing a layer of magnetic material above exposed regions of the substrate, wherein a portion of the layer of magnetic material tapers towards the substrate as it approaches the undercut; removing the resist structure; and forming a write pole above the layer of magnetic material. Additional methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is manufactured as follows. First, a base insulating layer having a magnetic pole forming depression sunken into a form corresponding to the main magnetic pole layer is formed, a stop film for CMP is formed such as to fill the magnetic pole forming depression, and then a magnetic layer is formed on the stop film. Next, the magnetic layer is separated by forming a separation groove substantially surrounding the magnetic pole forming depression on the outside thereof, and thus separated magnetic layer is formed with a cover insulating film adapted to cover the whole upper face. The surface is polished by CMP until the stop film is exposed, so that the part of magnetic layer remaining on the inside of the magnetic pole forming depression is used as the main magnetic pole layer. Further, a recording gap layer, a write shield layer, and a thin-film coil are formed.

Abstract: It is possible to improve the recording and reproducing S/N ratio, the reproduction signal intensity, and the degree of high density recording. There are provided a plurality of recording tracks formed on a substrate, each recording track being formed of a magnetic material, and non-recording sections formed on the substrate, each non-recording section separating adjacent recording tracks, each recording track including a plurality of recording sections and connecting sections for connecting the recording sections adjacent thereto in a track longitudinal direction, and each connecting section having a cross-sectional area in a track width direction that is smaller than a cross-sectional area in a track width direction of adjacent recording sections.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a plurality of recording tracks formed of a magnetic material and a non-magnetic area arranged between the recording tracks to separate each recording track. The non-magnetic area is formed of a non-magnetic material, which can accumulate and retain electric charges. The electric charges accumulated in the non-magnetic area represent servo information.

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 disposed on the gap layer; a second layer disposed on the first layer; and a third layer disposed on the second layer. The first layer has an end face located in a medium facing surface. An end face of each of the second and third layers closer to the medium facing surface is located at a distance from the medium facing surface. A first nonmagnetic layer is disposed around the first layer. A second nonmagnetic layer is disposed between the medium facing surface and the end face of the second layer closer to the medium facing surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head structure comprises the steps of preparing an insulating layer 10; forming a first resist layer 51 provided with a first slit pattern 51a corresponding to a very narrow groove part and a second slit pattern 51b corresponding to a temporary groove part integrally extending from the very narrow groove part along outer edges of a main depression onto the insulating layer 10; etching the insulating layer 10 while using the first resist layer 51 as a mask; eliminating the first resist layer 51; forming a second resist layer having an opening pattern corresponding to the main depression onto the insulating layer 10; and etching the insulating layer 10 while using the second resist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and is operable to generate a first field at the write element tip. A conductor is proximate the write element tip for carrying a current to generate a second field that augments the first field. An encapsulating layer is on at least one surface of the conductor, wherein the encapsulating layer is made of a material that increases a maximum sustainable current density of the conductor to greater than about 108 A/cm2.