Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080232001 | PERPENDICULAR WRITE HEAD HAVING A STEPPED FLARE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A magnetic write head for data recording having a magnetic write pole with a stepped magnetic shell structure that defines a secondary flare point. The secondary flare point defined by the magnetic shell portion can be more tightly controlled with respect to its distance from the air bearing surface (ABS) of the write head than can a traditional flare point that is photolithographically on the main pole structure. This allows the effective flare point of the write head to be moved much closer to the ABS than would otherwise be possible using currently available tooling and photolithography techniques. The write head may also include a magnetic trailing shield that wraps around the main pole portion. The trailing shield can have a hack edge defining a trailing shield throat height that is either between the secondary flare point or coincident or behind the secondary flare point, depending on design requirements | 09-25-2008 |
20090161262 | Three terminal magnetic sensing device having a track width defined in a localized region by a patterned insulator and methods of making the same - A three terminal magnetic sensing device (TTM) having a trackwidth defined in a localized region by a patterned insulator, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. In one illustrative example, one or more first sensor layers (e.g. which includes a “base” layer) are formed over a collector substrate. A patterned insulator which defines a central opening exposing a top layer of the one or more first sensor layers is then formed. The central opening has a width for defining a trackwidth (TW) of the TTM. Next, one or more second sensor layers are formed over the top layer of the one or more first sensor layers through the central opening of the patterned insulator. The one or more second sensor layers may include a tunnel barrier layer formed in contact with the top layer of the one or more first sensor layers, as well as an “emitter” layer. Various embodiments and techniques are provided. | 06-25-2009 |
20090266790 | METHOD OF MAKING A MAGNETORESISTIVE READER STRUCTURE - A method of making a magnetoresistive sensor includes defining a track width of a magnetoresistive element stack of the sensor with a hard mask and photoresist. Further, processes of the method enable depositing of hard magnetic bias material on each side of the stack after the hard mask used to define the track width is removed. A separate chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) stop layer that is different from the hard mask enables subsequent creating of a planar surface via CMP to remove unwanted material on top of the sensor stack. | 10-29-2009 |
20100024201 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING NARROW MAGNETIC READ WIDTH TMR/CPP SENSORS - A method for manufacturing a manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor that allows the sensor to be constructed with a very narrow and well controlled track width. The method includes depositing a layer of diamond like carbon over a series of sensor layers. A first mask is then formed to define a sensor, and an ion milling is performed to remove sensor material not protected by the first mask. Then, a second mask is formed, and a hard bias layer is deposited to the thickness of the sensor layers. The second mask is then lifted off and a CMP is performed to remove the first mask structure. Because the all areas other than the area directly over the sensor are substantially planar (due to the removal of the second mask and the low level of the hard bias material) a quick, gentle CMP can be used to remove the first mask layer even if the first mask is small, such as for definition of a very narrow track-width sensor. | 02-04-2010 |
20100091407 | PERPENDICULAR WRITE HEAD HAVING A STEPPED FLARE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A magnetic write head for data recording having a magnetic write pole with a stepped magnetic shell structure that defines a secondary flare point. The secondary flare point defined by the magnetic shell portion can be more tightly controlled with respect to its distance from the air bearing surface (ABS) of the write head than can a traditional flare point that is photolithographically on the main pole structure. This allows the effective flare point of the write head to be moved much closer to the ABS than would otherwise be possible using currently available tooling and photolithography techniques. The write head also includes a non-magnetic spacer layer formed over the magnetic shell structure that is recessed from the ABS by a distance that is greater than that of the magnetic shell portion. A magnetic shield is formed over the magnetic shell and non-magnetic spacer. | 04-15-2010 |
20100112487 | MANUFACTURING A NARROW TRACK READ HEAD - Embodiments of the invention operate to narrow the track width of a read head used in a disk drive. In one embodiment, a magnetic read head has a track width of about 40 nm or less. The read head is fabricated by a method that includes fabricating a film stack from a substrate, a sensor material, a stop material, a first release material, a mask material, and a photo resist material. The mask material may include a masking substrate material and a second release material. The film stack is processed by forming a read head image in the photo resist material, removing portions of the film stack that lie outside the read head image of the photo resist material, stripping the film stack to remove the photo resist, mask and first release materials, and milling the sensor material according to the read head image. | 05-06-2010 |
20100126001 | Method for self aligning a lapping guide with a structure of a magnetic write head - A method for self aligning a lapping guide with a structure of a write pole. A write pole is formed over a substrate and an electrically conductive material lapping guide material is deposited in a location that is removed from the write pole. A mask is then formed over a portion of the write pole and a portion of the electrically conductive material. A material removal process such as reactive ion etching can then be performed to remove a portion of the magnetic material that is not protected by the mask structure. An magnetic material is then electroplated over the write pole with the write pole, with the mask still in place. In this way, the electroplated material has an edge that is self aligned with an edge of the electrically conductive lapping guide material, both being defined by the same mask structure. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128392 | PERPENDICULAR WRITE HEAD HAVING A STEPPED FLARE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A magnetic write head for data recording having a magnetic write pole with a stepped magnetic shell structure that defines a secondary flare point. The secondary flare point defined by the magnetic shell portion can be more tightly controlled with respect to its distance from the air bearing surface (ABS) of the write head than can a traditional flare point that is photolithographically on the main pole structure. This allows the effective flare point of the write head to be moved much closer to the ABS than would otherwise be possible using currently available tooling and photolithography techniques. The write head also includes a non-magnetic spacer layer formed over the magnetic shell structure and a trailing magnetic shield, a portion of which is formed over the non-magnetic spacer. | 05-27-2010 |
20100149688 | 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 - 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. A surface of the stepped-pole layer is planarized with the interface between the main-pole layer and the stepped-pole layer substantially flat over the leading-edge taper. | 06-17-2010 |
20110146061 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR HAVING A FLAT SHIELD - A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor that results in the sensor having a very flat top magnetic shield. The process involves depositing a plurality of sensor layers and then depositing a thin high density carbon CMP stop layer over the sensor layers and forming a mask over the CMP stop layer. An ion milling is performed to define the sensor. Then a thin insulating layer and magnetic hard bias layer are deposited. A chemical mechanical polishing is performed to remove the mask and a reactive ion etching is performed to remove the remaining carbon CMP stop layer. Because the CMP stop layer is very dense and hard, it can be made very thin. This means that when it is removed by reactive ion etching, there is very little notching over the sensor, thereby allowing the upper shield (deposited there-over) to be very thin. | 06-23-2011 |
20110258841 | Planarization Methods For Patterned Media Disks - A method is provided for forming a plurality of regions of magnetic material in a substrate having a first approximately planar surface. The method comprises the steps of fabricating projections in the first surface of the substrate, depositing onto the first surface a magnetic material in such a way that the tops of the projections are covered with magnetic material, and depositing filler material atop the substrate so produced. The filler material may then be planarized, for example by chemical-mechanical polishing. In an alternative embodiment magnetic material is deposited on a substrate and portions of it are removed, leaving islands of material. Filler material is then deposited, which may be planarized. | 10-27-2011 |
20120127616 | TMR READER WITHOUT DLC CAPPING STRUCTURE - Embodiments herein generally relate to TMR readers and methods for their manufacture. The embodiments discussed herein disclose TMR readers that utilize a structure that avoids use of the DLC layer over the sensor structure and over the hard bias layer. The capping structure over the sensor structure functions as both a protective layer for the sensor structure and a CMP stop layer. The hard bias capping structure functions as both a protective structure for the hard bias layer and as a CMP stop layer. The capping structures that are free of DLC reduce the formation of notches in the second shield layer so that second shield layer is substantially flat. | 05-24-2012 |
20120231296 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ADVANCED MAGNETIC READ SENSOR - A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that minimizes topography resulting from stripe height defining masking and patterning in order to facilitate definition of track width. The method includes depositing a series of mask layers and then masking and ion milling the series of sensor layers to define a back edge of a sensor. A non-magnetic fill layer is then deposited, the magnetic fill layer being constructed of a material that has an ion mill rate that is similar to that of the series of sensor layers. A second masking and milling process is then performed to define the track width of the sensor and hard bias is deposited. Because the non-magnetic fill layer is removed at substantially the same rate as the sensor material the structure has a very flat topography on which to form the sensor track width. | 09-13-2012 |
20130001187 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR USING SIMULTANEOUSLY FORMED HARD BIAS AND ELECTRICAL LAPPING GUIDE - A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor using an electrical lapping guide deposited and patterned simultaneously with a hard bias structure of the sensor material. The method includes depositing a sensor material, and patterning and ion milling the sensor material to define a track width of the sensor. A magnetic, hard bias material is then deposited and a second patterning and ion milling process is performed to simultaneously define the back edge of an electrical lapping guide and a back edge of the sensor. | 01-03-2013 |
20140293472 | READ HEAD SENSOR WITH A TANTALUM OXIDE REFILL LAYER - In one embodiment, a method includes masking a sensor stack with a first mask, milling exposed regions of the sensor stack for defining a back edge of the sensor stack, forming a tantalum oxide layer along the back edge, removing the first mask, masking the sensor stack with a second mask, and milling exposed regions of the sensor stack for defining side edges of the sensor stack, a width of the sensor stack in a track width direction being defined between the side edges. In another embodiment a system includes a sensor stack of thin films having a back edge, and a tantalum oxide layer extending along the back edge. | 10-02-2014 |
20140302441 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR USING SIMULTANEOUSLY FORMED HARD BIAS AND ELECTRICAL LAPPING GUIDE - A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor using an electrical lapping guide deposited and patterned simultaneously with a hard bias structure of the sensor material. The method includes depositing a sensor material, and patterning and ion milling the sensor material to define a track width of the sensor. A magnetic, hard bias material is then deposited and a second patterning and ion milling process is performed to simultaneously define the back edge of an electrical lapping guide and a back edge of the sensor. | 10-09-2014 |