Write Head Having Recessed Magnetic Material In Gap Region

A process to manufacture a magnetic write head, comprising:

• on a substrate, depositing and then patterning a first layer of high magnetic permeability material to form a primary lower magnetic pole having a first end;
• depositing a layer of insulating material on said substrate and on said primary lower pole to a thickness greater than that of said primary lower pole to form a structure;
• planarizing the structure until all insulating material has been removed from over said primary lower pole, whereby said insulating layer abuts, and extends away from, said primary pole on one side;
• shaping said primary lower pole into first and second parts, said first part extending upwards from said primary lower pole's first end to a first height and said second part extending laterally from said first part so as to be in alignment with an end of an upper pole having a width;
• said second part also extending upwards to a second height above said primary lower pole that is greater than said first height;
• said second part being separated from said upper pole by a layer of non-magnetic material, whereby it forms a write gap, said second part having a width, at the write gap, equal to said upper pole width, whereby a track width is defined;
• depositing and patterning a second layer of high magnetic permeability material to form a secondary lower pole that covers said primary lower pole and extends over said insulating layer on said one side as a ledge having a width;
• forming a field coil over, and insulated from, said secondary lower pole;
• overlying said field coil with said upper magnetic pole and contacting said lower pole at a location well removed from said write gap;
• and
• through planarizing, removing material from said ledge, said write gap, and said upper pole until said ledge extends beyond said primary lower pole by a final amount.