Current-assisted magnetic recording write head with wide conductive element in the write gap

A magnetic recording disk drive, comprising:

• a magnetic head, comprising:
• a write pole having a trailing edge;
• a trailing shield spaced from the write pole to define a write gap;
• and
• an electrically-conductive layer disposed in the write gap, the electrically-conductive layer having a cross-track width greater than a cross-track width of the write pole trailing edge, wherein the write pole and trailing shield are adapted to pass electrical current between the write pole and trailing shield through the electrically-conductive layer in the write gap.

A magnetic head, comprising:

• a write pole having a trailing edge;
• a side shield on each cross-track side of the write pole end and a side gap between each side shield and the write pole end;
• a trailing shield having an end substantially at a gas bearing surface (GBS), the trailing shield end being spaced from the write pole trailing edge to define a write gap;
• a non-magnetic electrically-conductive layer in the write gap in contact with the write pole trailing edge and the trailing shield, the non-magnetic electrically-conductive layer having a cross-track width greater than the cross-track width of the write pole trailing edge;
• an electrical circuit coupled to the write pole and the trailing shield for directing electrical current between the write pole and trailing shield through the non-magnetic electrically-conductive layer in the write gap;
• a return pole formed of ferromagnetic electrically-conductive material and coupled to the trailing shield;
• and
• an electrical coil coupled to the write pole and return pole for generating a magnetic write field in the write pole.

A magnetic recording disk drive, comprising:

• a magnetic head, comprising:
• a write pole having a trailing edge;
• a side shield on each cross-track side of the write pole end and a side gap between each side shield and the write pole end;
• a trailing shield having an end substantially at a gas bearing surface (GBS), the trailing shield end being spaced from the write pole trailing edge to define a write gap;
• a non-magnetic electrically-conductive layer in the write gap in contact with the write pole trailing edge and the trailing shield, the non-magnetic electrically-conductive layer having a cross-track width greater than the cross-track width of the write pole trailing edge;
• an electrical circuit coupled to the write pole and the trailing shield for directing electrical current between the write pole and trailing shield through the non-magnetic electrically-conductive layer in the write gap;
• a return pole formed of ferromagnetic electrically-conductive material and coupled to the trailing shield;
• and
• an electrical coil coupled to the write pole and return pole for generating a magnetic write field in the write pole.