Method for redefining the trailing shield throat height in a perpendicular magnetic recording write head

• Main Author: Pentek, Aron
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.08.2010

A method of forming a perpendicular magnetic recording write head having a trailing shield (TS) with a precisely defined throat height (TH) on an air-bearing slider includes depositing an electrical lapping guide (ELG) layer on the substrate adjacent to and spaced from the write pole (WP) layer. A nonmagnetic TS pad layer is deposited on both the gap layer and the ELG layer, with the TS pad layer patterned to have a front edge extending across the both the ELG layer and the gap layer and recessed from the line where the substrate will be later cut to form the slider. An ELG protection layer is patterned on the ELG layer, the TS pad layer material is removed from the ELG layer in the region recessed from the TS pad layer front edge, and the ELG layer is removed in regions not covered by the ELG protection layer. The ELG protection layer is then removed, leaving the ELG layer having a back edge collinear with the TS pad layer front edge so that the TS TH is precisely defined during subsequent lapping of the slider.