Flux enhanced write transducer and process for producing the same in conjunction with shared shields on magnetoresistive read heads

A magnetic data transducer incorporating a read head that is interposed between an upper magnetic shield layer having a magnetic moment, and a lower magnetic shield layer having a magnetic moment, and incorporating a write head that utilizes said upper magnetic shield layer as a bottom magnetic pole member, said upper magnetic shield layer having a width, and said write head comprising:

• a flux enhancement layer having a width that is smaller than said width of said upper magnetic shield layer directly on and overlying a mid portion of said width of said upper magnetic shield layer, said flux enhancement layer having a magnetic moment that is higher than said magnetic moment of said upper magnetic shield layer;
• a gap layer having a width that is generally equal to said smaller width of said flux enhancement layer directly on and overlying said flux enhancement layer;
• and
• an upper magnetic pole member having a width that is generally equal to said width of said gap layer directly on and overlying said gap layer, said upper magnetic pole member having a magnetic moment whereby said upper magnetic pole member and said flux enhancement layer cooperate to substantially constrain magnetic flux within said upper magnetic shield layer.

A magnetic data transducer of the type having a first magnetic pole member that has a width and is formed of a magnetic material having a magnetic moment, having a second magnetic pole member that is formed of a magnetic material having a magnetic moment, said second magnetic pole member being of a smaller width than said first magnetic pole member, said second magnetic pole member being spaced from and overlying a mid portion of said width of said first magnetic pole member, said second magnetic pole member forming a magnetic flux gap with said first magnetic pole member, and a nonmagnetic gap layer that is located intermediate said first and second magnetic pole members and is substantially coextensive with said smaller width of said second magnetic pole member, the improvement, in combination, comprising:

• an additional magnetic layer that is formed of a material having a magnetic moment that is higher than said magnetic moment of said first magnetic pole member, said additional magnetic layer being located directly on said mid portion of said first magnetic pole member and interposed between said first magnetic pole member and said nonmagnetic gap layer so as to be substantially coextensive with said smaller width of said second magnetic pole member, said additional magnetic layer underlying said nonmagnetic gap layer and being substantially coextensive therewith;
• and
• an associated magnetic layer that is formed of a material having a magnetic moment that is higher than said magnetic moment of said second magnetic pole member, said associated magnetic layer being located directly on said second magnetic pole member and interposed between said second magnetic pole member and said nonmagnetic gap layer, said associated magnetic layer underlying said second magnetic pole member and overlying said nonmagnetic gap layer, and said associated layer being substantially coextensive with said smaller width of said second pole member.

A magnetic data transducer incorporating a read head that is interposed between an upper magnetic shield layer having a magnetic moment, and a lower magnetic shield layer having a magnetic moment, and incorporating a write head that utilizes said upper magnetic shield layer as a bottom magnetic pole member, said upper magnetic shield layer having a width, and said write head comprising:

• a flux enhancement layer having a width that is smaller than said width of said upper magnetic shield layer directly on and overlying a mid portion of said width of said upper magnetic shield layer, said flux enhancement layer having a magnetic moment that is higher than said magnetic moment of said upper magnetic shield layer;
• a gap layer having a width that is generally equal to said smaller width of said flux enhancement layer directly overlying said flux enhancement layer;
• an upper magnetic pole member having a width that is generally equal to said width of said gap layer directly on and overlying said gap layer, said upper magnetic pole member having a magnetic moment;
• and
• a seed layer having a magnetic moment generally equal to said magnetic moment of said upper magnetic pole member, said seed layer having a width that is generally equal to said width of said upper magnetic pole member, said seed layer being located directly on said upper magnetic pole member and between said upper magnetic pole member and said gap layer, said seed layer underlying said upper magnetic pole member and being substantially coextensive therewith.