Write Pole With Shaped Box Shield

A magnetic element comprising a write pole separated from a box shield by a write gap, the write gap decreasing from a first separation distance at a trailing edge of the write pole to second separation distance at a leading edge of the write pole, the box shield configured to maintain at least the second separation distance from a first side of the leading edge to an opposite second side of the leading edge.

A data writer comprising a write pole having leading and trailing edges connected by first and second pole sidewalls on opposite first and second sides of the write pole, the write pole disposed within and separated from a side shield by a write gap that decreases from a first separation distance at the trailing edge to a second separation distance at the leading edge, each side shield configured to maintain at least the second separation distance from the first pole sidewall to the second pole sidewall around the leading edge.