Arbitrary pattern write head assembly for writing timing-based servo patterns on magnetic storage media

An arbitrary pattern write head assembly for writing timing-based servo patterns on magnetic storage media, comprising:

• (a) a first pole piece comprising a substrate consisting essentially of a nickel zinc ferrite material, said substrate having a major surface;
• (b) a plurality of electrically conducting windings formed on said major surface;
• (c) a second pole piece formed on said substrate, with a portion thereof formed above said plurality of electrically conducting windings and electrically insulated therefrom, said second pole piece having at least one opening therethrough defining a magnetic gap for inducing a writing field above said electrically conducting windings and said substrate, said second pole piece comprising at least two layers, each layer comprising a laminated nitrided permalloy/iron material, said second pole piece further electrically insulated from said plurality of electrically conducting windings by a solid insulating material consisting essentially of a photoresist material and
• a plug of an electrically conducting material supported by said insulating material beneath said gap.

A process for fabricating an arbitrary pattern write head comprising:

• (a) providing a substrate comprising a first pole piece magnetic material;
• (b) forming on said substrate an electrically conducting film defining a coil pattern;
• (c) forming at least two layers of a second pole piece magnetic material over said electrically conducting film and insulated therefrom, thereby defining at least a first deposited layer and a last deposited layer, each layer having an opening defining a magnetic gap for inducing a writing field over said substrate, said last deposited layer having a smaller gap than an underlying layer;
• and
• (d) forming a plug comprising an electrically conductive material below said last deposited layer and above said electrically conducting film.