US 6,304,414 B1 · Thin film magnetic write head having an ultra-low stack height

Abstract

A magnetoresistive write element having a greatly reduced stack height allowing construction of a smaller track width and tighter track width tolerances. The reduced stack height also produces improved magnetic flux flow properties in the write element leading to an improved magnetic fringing field in the write gap region The magnetoresistive write head includes an electrically conductive planar coil having a portion thereof extending between first and second poles. The first and second poles join one another to form a magnetic yoke which is closed at one end and open at the other. An insulation layer separates the coil from the first pole. Another layer of insulating material is formed into the coil, interspersed between the winds and having an upper surface which is flush with the upper surface of the coil. A thin layer of write gap material insulates the coil from the second pole. Since there is only a thin layer of write gap material between the coil and the second pole, rather than a thicker insulation layer, the topography of the second pole can be reduced. This lowers the stack height which allows the second pole to be constructed to define a smaller write gap with tighter tolerances.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A thin film magnetic write head for high density data recording, the thin film magnetic head comprising:

a magnetic yoke having a closed back gap portion and an open write gap portion and having first and second poles extending from said back gap portion to said write gap portion, said poles being separated to define a yoke interior there between;
a first insulation layer formed over said first pole between said back gap portion and said write gap portion;
a coil having a plurality of winds, at least a portion of said winds being formed over said first insulation layer within said interior of said yoke, each of said winds having an upper surface;
a second insulation layer formed over said first insulation layer and having an upper surface which is flush with at least one upper surface of at least one of said winds;
and
a layer of non-magnetic, electrically insulating write gap material disposed between said coil and said second pole and contacting said upper surface of said second insulation layer, within said interior of said yoke, and extending into said write gap portion of said yoke.

3 more elements

A magnetic data storage system for storing data on a magnetic disk for use with a digital computer, said system comprising:

an enclosure having an interior;
a spindle contained within said interior of said enclosure and configured to support the magnetic disk for rotation thereon;
a motor for rotating said disk;
an arm pivotally connected with said enclosure;
a magnetic head suspended from said arm distal from said pivotal connection and disposed proximal to said magnetic disk, said magnetic head comprising:
a magnetically conducting first pole having an upper surface and first and second ends;
first and second pedestals formed on said upper surface of said first pole at said first and second ends respectively, said first and second pedestals each having a planar upper surface;
a first layer of insulating material formed over said upper surface of said first pole between said first and second pedestals and having an planar upper surface which is coplanar with said upper surfaces of said first and second pedestals;
an electrically conducting coil having a portion thereof formed on said upper surface of said first insulation layer above said first pole, said coil having a planar upper surface;
a second insulation layer formed over said first insulation layer, said second insulation layer having a planar upper surface which is coplanar with said upper surface of said coil;
a layer of electrically insulating, non-magnetic write gap material formed over said coil and second insulation layer and extending over said second pedestal;
and
a second magnetically conducting pole formed over said write gap material and contacting said upper surface of said first pedestal.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thin film magnetic write head having an ultra-low stack height

Life of this patent

Thin film magnetic write head having an ultra-low stack height

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18