Write head with self aligned pedestal shaped pole tips that are separated by a zero throat height defining layer

A magnetic disk drive comprising:

• a merged magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS) and including:
• a first shield layer;
• a first read gap layer on the first shield layer;
• a read sensor and first and second lead layers on the first read gap layer;
• a second read gap layer on the read sensor and the first and second lead layers;
• first and second pole pieces, the first pole piece being on the second read gap layer;
• the first pole piece having a bottom first pole piece layer and a top first pole tip layer with the top first pole tip layer being on the bottom first pole piece layer and the second pole piece having a bottom second pole tip layer and a top second pole piece layer with the top second pole piece layer being on the bottom second pole tip layer;
• the bottom first pole piece layer and the top second pole piece layer being connected at a back gap and extending toward the ABS;
• an insulation stack with at least one coil layer embedded therein;
• the insulation stack being located between the bottom first pole piece layer and the top second pole piece layer in a position between the ABS and the back gap;
• the top first pole tip layer and the bottom second pole tip layer being located entirely between the ABS and the coil layer;
• a write gap layer;
• the write gap layer being located between the top first pole tip layer and the bottom second pole tip layer and separating the top first pole tip layer and the bottom second pole tip layer from one another at the ABS;
• and
• a zero throat height (ZTH) defining layer on said write gap layer between the top first pole tip layer and the bottom second pole tip layer and recessed from the ABS toward the back gap so as to further separate the top first pole tip layer and the bottom second pole tip layer from one another at a location recessed from the ABS toward the back gap to define a zero throat height of the head where the first and second pole pieces first commence to separate from one another after the ABS;
• a frame;
• a magnetic disk rotatably supported on the frame;
• a support mounted on the frame for supporting the magnetic head in a transducing relationship with the magnetic disk;
• means for rotating the magnetic disk;
• positioning means connected to the support for moving the magnetic head to multiple positions with respect to said magnetic disk;
• and
• means connected to the head, to the means for rotating the magnetic disk and to the positioning means for exchanging signals with the magnetic head, for controlling movement of the magnetic disk and for controlling the position of the magnetic head.