Integral read/write recording head with dual gap dimension

An integral head module having a plurality of MR read elements and a plurality of write elements arranged in an alternating relationship across said module so that each MR read element is not adjacent another MR read element and so that each write element is not adjacent another write element, said module comprising:

• a first pole piece having a first mating surface,
• a plurality of recess spaced apart from each other in said first mating surface,
• an inner wall in each recess,
• a write element positioned in each of said recesses,
• a plurality of MR read elements spaced apart from each other and affixed via a first insulator layer to said first mating surface so that each of said MR elements is separated from another MR element by at least one of said write elements,
• a second pole piece having a second mating surface, and
• said second pole piece being positioned adjacent said first pole piece to define a read gap for each MR read element having a length equal to the distance between said first and second mating surfaces and to define a write gap for each write element having a length equal to the distance between said second mating surface and said inner wall of each recess.

An integral head module having a plurality of MR read elements and a plurality of inductive write elements adapted to read and write data from and to a magnetic medium positioned above said module, said MR read elements and said inductive write elements being arranged in an alternating relationship across said module so that each MR read element is not adjacent another MR read element and so that each inductive write element is not adjacent another inductive write element, said module comprising:

• a first pole piece having a first mating surface perpendicular to a lower flat surface of said magnetic medium,
• a plurality of recesses spaced apart from each other in said first mating surface and having an inner wall substantially parallel to said first mating surface,
• an inductive write winding formed in each of said recesses,
• a plurality of MR read elements spaced apart from each other and affixed to said first mating surface by a first insulator layer,
• a second pole piece having a second mating surface, and
• said second pole piece being attached via a second insulator layer to said first pole piece to define a read gap for each MR read element having a length equal to the distance between said first and second mating surfaces and to define a write gap having a length equal to the distance between said second mating surface and said inner wall.

A method of forming an integral head module having at least one MR read element and one write element, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming a recess in a first mating surface of a first pole piece,
• forming a write element in said recess,
• affixing an MR read element to a first insulator layer on said first mating surface adjacent said recess, and
• attaching a second pole piece having a second mating surface via a second insulator layer to said first pole piece to define a read gap having a length equal to the distance between said first and second mating surfaces and to define a write gap having a length equal to the distance between said second mating surface and an inner wall of said recess.

A method of forming an integral head module having a plurality of MR read elements and a plurality of write elements arranged in an alternating relationship across said module so that each MR read element is not adjacent another MR read element and so that each write element is not adjacent another write element, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming a plurality of recess spaced apart from each other in a first mating surface of a first pole piece,
• forming a write element in each of said recesses,
• forming a plurality of MR read elements spaced apart from each other on a first insulator layer on said first mating surface,
• attaching a second pole piece having a second mating surface via a second insulator layer to said first pole piece to define a read gap for each MR read element having a length equal to the distance between said first and second mating surfaces and to define a write gap for each write element having a length equal to the distance between said second mating surface and an inner wall of said recesses.

A method of forming an integral head module having a plurality of MR read elements and a plurality of inductive write elements adapted to read and write data from and to a magnetic medium positioned above said module, said MR read elements and said inductive write head being arranged in an alternating relationship across said module so that each MR read element is not adjacent another MR read element and so that each inductive write element is not adjacent another inductive write element, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming a plurality of recesses spaced apart from each other in said first mating surface of a first pole piece perpendicular to a lower flat surface of said magnetic medium,
• said recesses having an inner wall substantially parallel to said first mating surface,
• forming an inductive write winding of said write elements in each of said recesses,
• forming a plurality of MR read elements spaced apart from each other and affixed to a first insulator layer on said first mating surface,
• attaching a second pole piece having a second mating surface via a second insulator layer to said first pole piece to define a read gap for each MR read element having a length equal to the distance between said first and second mating surfaces and to define a write gap for each inductive write element having a length equal to the distance between said second mating surface and said inner wall.

A method of forming an integral head module having a plurality of MR read elements and a plurality of inductive write elements arranged in an alternating relationship across said module so that each MR read element is not adjacent another MR read element and so that each inductive write element is not adjacent another inductive write element, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming a plurality of parallel recesses spaced apart from each other in a first mating surface of first pole piece,
• forming a first insulator layer on said first mating surface and on an inner wall of each recess parallel to said first mating surface,
• depositing an inductive write winding on said first insulator layer in each of said recesses,
• depositing a plurality of MR read elements arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other on said first insulator layer on said first mating surface,
• depositing a second insulator layer on said MR read elements and on said inductive write windings, and
• attaching a second pole piece having a second mating surface to said second insulator layer to define a read gap for each MR read element having a length equal to the distance between said first and second mating surfaces and to define a write gap for each inductive write element having a length equal to the distance between said second mating surface and said inner wall.