Method for applying a protective coating on a magnetic recording head

A method for applying a protective, electrically conductive coating to magnetic heads for reading and/or writing magnetic media data without substantially degrading a non-conductive zone between spaced head segments, said method comprising:

• depositing, by sputter coating, an electrically insulating layer upon portions of a magnetic head to be coated with said protective, electrically conductive coating;
• said sputter coating of said electrically insulating layer including subjecting of spaced surfaces of said spaced head segments to said depositing;
• and
• depositing, by sputter coating, an electrically conductive, protective layer upon said electrically insulating layer deposited on said portions of said magnetic head;
• said electrically insulating layer providing and enhancing adhesive bonding of said electrically conductive, protective layer to said magnetic head;
• said magnetic head being supported on a slider;
• said electrically insulating layer being applied to each of said slider and said spaced head segments;
• said depositing of said electrically insulating layer being operable to concurrently prevent short-circuiting between said spaced head segments and insulatingly coat head segment supporting portions of said slider;
• and
• said depositing of said electrically insulating layer being concurrently operable to
• prevent degradation of electrical characteristics of said magnetic head
• by said electrically conductive coating,
• enhance adhesion of said electrically conductive coating to said magnetic head, and
• enhance wear resistance of said magnetic head.