Double-mask near-field transducer (NFT) and method thereof

A magnetic recording head, comprising:

• a main pole;
• a waveguide disposed adjacent to the main pole;
• and
• a near field transducer (NFT) coupled between the main pole and the waveguide at a media facing surface (MFS), wherein the NFT comprises:
• a first layer comprising a first surface facing the MFS, a second surface, and a third surface opposite the second surface, wherein the second and the third surfaces of the first layer are angled less than 90 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the MFS;
• and
• a second layer disposed over a first surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising a first surface facing the MFS, a second surface, and a third surface opposite the second surface, wherein:
• the second and third surfaces of the second layer are angled relative to a plane perpendicular to the MFS;
• the angle of the second and third surfaces of the first layer relative to the plane perpendicular to the MFS is greater than the angle of the second and third surfaces of the second layer relative to the plane perpendicular to the MFS;
• and
• a flare angle of the first layer is less than a flare angle of the second layer.

A method of defining a near field transducer (NFT) of a magnetic recording head, the method comprising:

• disposing a first mask onto a first surface of a first NFT layer, wherein the first surface is a media facing surface (MFS) of the first NFT layer;
• etching or milling a second surface and a third surface of the first NFT layer using the first mask, wherein the second surface is opposite the third surface of the first NFT layer;
• removing the first mask;
• disposing a second NFT layer over the first surface of the first NFT layer, wherein the second NFT layer comprises a first surface facing the MFS, a second surface, and a third surface opposite the second surface of the second NFT layer;
• disposing a second mask over the first surface of the second NFT layer;
• etching or milling the second and third surfaces of the second NFT layer using the second mask;
• and
• removing the second mask.