Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080232000 | MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD WITH UPPER RETURN POLE OPTIMIZATION FOR REDUCED TRAILING SHIELD PROTRUSION - A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording that is resistant to write pole and trailing shield protrusion. The write pole includes a magnetic return pole that is magnetically connected with the trailing shield, the return pole being resistant to deformation or recession such as from mechanically abrasive slider cleaning operations such as soda blast. | 09-25-2008 |
20080247086 | Method for forming interleaved coils with damascene plating - A method of forming interleaved coils of a write head is disclosed using a combination of non-damascene and damascene processes. | 10-09-2008 |
20080273268 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING WRITE HEAD WITH COPLANAR MAIN POLE AND RETURN POLES AND MAGNETIC RECORDING SYSTEM - A perpendicular magnetic recording write head has a main pole and return poles that are substantially coplanar. The write head includes a main pole, two return poles and a connecting stud that are all formed as a single layer in a single deposition and patterning step. The coplanar main and return poles lie in a plane parallel to the cross-track direction. The two return poles are thus spaced from the main pole in the cross-track direction. The main pole includes a write pole connected to it but lying in a plane spaced in the along-the-track direction from the plane of the main pole. The write head includes a helical coil wrapped around the main pole. The magnetic flux path is from the write pole to the disk recording layer in a data track aligned with the write pole, to the disk underlayer beneath the recording layer, through the underlayer to data tracks spaced cross-track from the data track aligned with the write pole, and back through the return poles. | 11-06-2008 |
20080310055 | REPEATABLE SHORTING AND UNSHORTING OF MICRO-ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS - The present invention provides methods and systems for repeatably creating and severing a short circuit to protect an electronic component from ESD. A short circuit may be formed between read sensor pads of a read sensor by depositing a shorting material on a magnetic head using a Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) process. The short circuit may be unshorted using a laser scan configured to sever the shorting material. In one embodiment, a shorting station may be provided to prevent spreading of the shorting material to undesired areas of the electronic component. | 12-18-2008 |
20090116152 | MULTILAYER STITCHED YOKE FOR A HIGH DATA RATE PERPENDICULAR WRITE HEAD - A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording having a write pole that is sandwiched between first and second magnetic shaping layers. The split shaping layers allow a laminated shaping layer structure allows a manufacturable laminated shaping layer to be constructed for improved data rate. One of the magnetic shaping layers can be formed as a laminated structure while that other can be a single layer of electroplated magnetic material. The shaping layers can be separated from the write pole by a thin layer of non-magnetic material to form a laminated interface between the write pole and the shaping layers. These features reduce magnetic domains and also reduce eddy currents which advantageously improves data rate. | 05-07-2009 |
20090117407 | SHORT FLARE DEFINITION BY ADDITIVE PROCESS FOR PERPENDICULAR HEAD - A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method includes forming a write pole, and then depositing a refill layer. A mask structure can be formed over the writ pole and refill layer, the mask structure being configured to define a stitched pole. An ion milling or reactive ion milling can then be performed to remove portions of the refill layer that are not protected by the mask structure. Then a magnetic material can be deposited to form a stitched write pole that defines a secondary flare point. The stitched pole can also be self aligned with an electrical lapping guide in order to accurately locate the front edge of the secondary flare point relative to the air bearing surface of the write head. | 05-07-2009 |
20090152234 | PROCESS FOR SELF-ALIGNED FLARE POINT AND SHIELD THROAT DEFINITION PRIOR TO MAIN POLE PATTERNING - 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. | 06-18-2009 |
20090152542 | TESTING THE QUALITY OF LIFT-OFF PROCESSES IN WAFER FABRICATION - Test methods and components are disclosed for testing the quality of lift-off processes in wafer fabrication. A wafer is populated with one or more test components along with the functional components. These test components are fabricated with holes in an insulation layer that is deposited between conductive layers, where the holes were created by the same or similar lift-off process that is used to fabricate the functional components on the wafer. The test components may then be measured in order to determine the quality of the holes created by the lift-off process. The quality of the lift-off process used to fabricate the functional components may then be determined based on the quality of the holes in the test components. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153157 | RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS OF A HELICAL COIL - Test methods and components are disclosed for testing resistances of helical coils formed in magnetic recording heads. Helical coils in magnetic recording heads include a bottom coil structure, a top coil structure, and connecting structures that electrically connect the top and bottom coil structures. A test component is fabricated on the wafer along with the magnetic recording heads. The test component includes a bottom coil structure connected in series, and includes a top coil structure connected in series which is electrically disconnected from the bottom coil structure. Resistances of the top and bottom coil structures are measured in the test component. A total resistance of a helical coil is also measured. The resistance of the connecting structures in the helical coil may then be determined based on the resistance of the bottom coil structure, the resistance of the top coil structure, and the total resistance of the helical coil. | 06-18-2009 |
20090244787 | PERPENDICULAR HEAD WITH WIDE TRACK WRITING CAPABILITY AND METHODS OF MEDIA TESTING - A system according to one embodiment comprises a head having a perpendicular writer, the writer comprising: a first pole structure having a pole tip positioned towards an air bearing surface of the head, the first pole structure having a portion that is recessed from an extent of the pole tip closest the air bearing surface; a return pole having an end positioned towards the air bearing surface of the head; and a gap between the first pole structure and the return pole, wherein the recessed portion is recessed less than about 1.25 microns relative to the extent of the pole tip closest the air bearing surface. Additional embodiments as well as methods are presented. | 10-01-2009 |
20090290259 | MAGNETIC HEAD WITH DELAYED CONNECTION HEATER SHUNTING - A slider structure that allows a grounded heater element to be employed, while also allowing a decision of whether the slider is to be an “up” slider or a “down” slider to be made in a late stage in the formation of the slider. The slider includes electrical contact pads for making electrical connection with the heater element. The slider also includes a dedicated ground path formed on the slider body at a location that is removed from either of the first and second contact pads, ground path providing electrical connectivity to the slider body. At a late stage in the manufacture of the read and write head, a determination can be made as to which contact pad is to be a ground pad, and that pad can be electrically connected with the ground path. | 11-26-2009 |
20090296285 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USING RESISTIVITY OF SENSOR FILM IN AN ELEMENT SHUNT - A system in one approach includes a sensor stack formed of a plurality of thin film layers; a shunt formed of at least some of the same layers as the sensor stack, the shunt being spaced from the sensor stack; a first lead coupled to the sensor stack and the shunt; and a second lead coupled to the sensor stack and the shunt. A method in one embodiment includes forming a plurality of thin film layers; removing a portion of the thin film layers for defining at least a portion of a sensor stack and at least a portion of a shunt spaced front the sensor stack; forming a first lead coupled to the at least a portion of the sensor stack and the at least a portion of the shunt and a second lead coupled to the at least a portion of the sensor stack and the at least a portion of the shunt. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 12-03-2009 |
20100021764 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFINING SENSE CURRENT OF A CPP READ TRANSDUCER TO THE ABS SIDE OF THE FREELAYER - 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. | 01-28-2010 |
20100157471 | WRITE HEAD WITH DIFFERENT UPPER AND LOWER YOKE LENGTHS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - According to one embodiment, a system comprises an upper yoke having a first length defined between a pole tip thereof and a back gap thereof. In addition, the system includes a lower yoke having a second length defined between a pole tip thereof and a back gap thereof, the second length being greater than the first length. Also, the system includes coil turns in the upper and lower yokes. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 06-24-2010 |
20100159282 | METHODS FOR CREATING A MAGNETIC MAIN POLE WITH SIDE SHIELD AND SYSTEMS THEREOF - A method according to another embodiment includes forming a side shield layer of ferromagnetic material above a substrate; masking the side shield layer; milling an unmasked region of the side shield layer for forming a pole trench therein; and forming a pole layer in the pole trench. A structure according to one embodiment includes a substrate; a side shield layer of ferromagnetic material on the substrate, wherein the substrate has a region covered by the side shield layer and a region not covered by the side shield layer; a pole trench in the side shield layer and the region of the substrate not covered by the side shield layer; a layer of nonmagnetic material in the pole trench; and a pole layer in the pole trench, wherein the pole layer has a greater thickness above the region of the substrate not covered by the side shield layer than above the region of the substrate covered by the side shield layer. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162555 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ELECTRICAL LAPPING GUIDE FOR MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD CORE WIDTH OPTIMIZATION - A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head that allows the location of the flare point of a write pole to be accurately located relative to the air bearing surface. The method includes the construction of a lapping guide having an edge feature that is easily and accurately located relative to the flare point of the write pole. This edge feature provides an abrupt change in electrical resistance across the lapping guide at a point when lapping should be terminated. And, since this feature can accurately located relative to the flare point, this provides an easily discernable ending point for lapping. | 07-01-2010 |
20100162556 | ELECTRICAL LAPPING GUIDE FOR IMPROVING MAGNETIC CORE WIDTH IN A MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD - A method for manufacturing a magnetic head for magnetic data recording, that allows a lapping termination point to be easily and accurately determined during lapping. The method includes constructing a lapping guide that has an electrically is formed to provide an abrupt change in resistance at a point where lapping should be terminated. This point of abrupt resistance change is located relative to the flare point of the write pole that the distance between the flare point and the air bearing surface can be accurately maintained. This abrupt resistance change also makes it possible to monitor both a stripe height defining rough lapping and an angled kiss lapping process using a single measurement channel. | 07-01-2010 |
20100163523 | FORMATION OF LOW RESISTANCE DAMASCENE COILS - In one embodiment and method of the present invention, a coil of a write head is created by forming a P1 pedestal layer and a back gap layer and further forming a coil pattern consistent with the coil to be formed and insulator spacers dispersed in the coil pattern, using a non-damascene process, thereafter the coil is formed by plating using a damascene process. | 07-01-2010 |
20100187199 | SELF-ALIGNED COIL PROCESS IN MAGNETIC RECORDING HEADS - In one embodiment of the present invention, a write head includes a first pole P | 07-29-2010 |
20100214699 | MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR WITH OVERLAID COMBINED LEADS AND SHIELDS - A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a first magnetic shield; a first insulation layer disposed above said first magnetic shield; a plurality of sensor layers disposed above said first insulation layer; two electrical leads overlying a majority of a surface of the sensor layers, the electrical leads being formed of a magnetic material and serving as a second magnetic shield; and a read width insulation member disposed above said sensor layers and between said two electrically conductive members, the read width insulation members lying in a common plane with the electrically conductive members, the common plane being oriented parallel to a plane of deposition of the read width insulation member. Other systems and methods are also presented. | 08-26-2010 |
20110019313 | SELF-ALIGNED DOUBLE FLUX GUIDED TMR SENSOR - A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes an array of sensor structures formed on a common substrate. Each sensor structure further comprises: a magnetic tunnel junction sensor spaced from a media-facing surface of the head; and a flux guide between the media-facing surface of the head and the sensor, the flux guide guiding magnetic flux from a magnetic medium adjacent the media-facing surface to the sensor. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 01-27-2011 |
20110027618 | Fabrication of magnetoresistive sensors and electronic lapping guides - The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for manufacturing an electronic lapping guide and a magnetic read head assembly. The magnetoresistive head assembly includes a sensing element that has a front edge and a front flux guide that has a back edge, such that the sensing element front edge and the front flux guide back edge share a common interface that defines an interface plane normal to the surface of a wafer substrate. The electronic lapping guide comprises a conductive material adapted to attach to two electrical leads for measuring a resistance through the conductive material. The conductive material may include a conductive material back edge aligned with the interface plane. The resistance of the conductive material may be inversely proportional to a conductive material length normal to the interface plane. | 02-03-2011 |
20110134567 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD WITH WRAP-AROUND SHIELD, SLANTED POLE AND SLANTED POLE BUMP FABRICATED BY DAMASCENE PROCESS - A magnetic write head having a write pole with a tapered trailing edge. The write head has a non-magnetic step layer and a non-magnetic bump formed on the front edge of the magnetic step layer. A non-magnetic trailing gap layer is formed over the tapered trailing edge of the write pole and over the non-magnetic bump and over the non-magnetic step layer. A magnetic trailing shield is formed over at least a portion of the non-magnetic gap layer. | 06-09-2011 |
20120107645 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SHORT FLARE DEFINITION BY ADDITIVE PROCESS FOR PERPENDICULAR HEAD - A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method includes forming a write pole, and then depositing a refill layer. A mask structure can be formed over the writ pole and refill layer, the mask structure being configured to define a stitched pole. An ion milling or reactive ion milling can then be performed to remove portions of the refill layer that are not protected by the mask structure. Then a magnetic material can be deposited to form a stitched write pole that defines a secondary flare point. The stitched pole can also be self aligned with an electrical lapping guide in order to accurately locate the front edge of the secondary flare point relative to the air bearing surface of the write head. | 05-03-2012 |
20130078483 | USE OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL FOR RIE STOP LAYER DURING DAMASCENE MAIN POLE FORMATION - A write head for use in a magnetic disk drive and methods of manufacturing the same. When a non-magnetic reactive ion etching (RIE) stop layer is used in a damascene main pole fabrication process, the leading edge shield and the side shield have a magnetic separation. By replacing a non-magnetic RIE stop layer with a magnetic RIE stop layer, no removal of the RIE stop layer around the main pole is necessary. Additionally, the leading edge shield and the side shield will magnetically join together without extra processing as there will be no magnetic separation between the leading edge shield and the side shield. | 03-28-2013 |
20140313613 | Magnetic Write Head Having A Coil Adjacent To The Main Pole - Approaches for a magnetic write head having an adjacent coil architecture, wherein a coil turn is fabricated immediately adjacent to the writer main pole. The adjacent portion essentially lies on the main pole, except for a very thin layer of insulation atomically layered in between. The adjacent coil portion is also substantially closer o the wrap-around shield in comparison with conventional coil configurations. Further, the other upper coil portions may be fabricated to essentially lie on the stitch pole, again except for a very thin atomic layer deposited layer of insulation layered between. This adjacent coil configuration provides a writer coil configuration that concentrates the coil structure significantly closer to the main pole surface, as well as concentrates more of the coil structure closer to the main pole tip, providing for a more efficient and faster write head. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313614 | MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD HAVING A STACKED COIL ARCHITECTURE FOR HIGH DATA RATE PERFORMANCE - Approaches for a magnetic write head having a stacked coil architecture. Embodiments utilize the better process control capability available with thin films' thicknesses, compared to the control capability of vertical gap-filling processes, which provides for better scalability to shorter yoke length magnetic write heads, which are faster at writing data bits than are magnetic write heads having a longer yoke length. | 10-23-2014 |
20150062753 | STIFF DISCRETE INSERT ARRAY FOR THERMAL PTR MANAGEMENT WITH DESIRED INDUCED STRESS STATE THAT REDUCES TENDENCY FOR WRITE POLE ERASURE - Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a magnetic device having a discontinuous array of columns disposed near a magnetic pole. Each column has a length extending perpendicular to an air bearing surface and a width. The length is greater than the width. | 03-05-2015 |