Method to make a high data rate stitched writer for a giant magneto-resistive head

A method for forming a high data-rate stitched pole magnetic read/write-head, comprising:

• providing a planarized GMR read-head structure having a lower magnetic shield, a first gap, a GMR magnetic field sensing device with side biasing pieces, a second gap, an upper magnetic shield and a dielectric or non-magnetic metal material;
• depositing by sputtering on the planarized upper magnetic shield and dielectric or non-magnetic metal material of said structure a first layer of HMM material;
• depositing on said first layer of HMM material a write gap layer;
• patterning and etching said write gap layer and forming a conducting via thereupon;
• depositing by sputtering a second layer of HMM on the said write gap layer;
• patterning said second HMM layer through a layer of photoresist;
• stripping said photoresist layer from HMM layer in preparation for a pole stitching process;
• depositing, by plating, an HMM pole piece on said second HMM layer;
• trimming the resulting fabrication, now comprising an upper magnetic shield, a first HMM layer, a write-gap layer, a second HMM layer and a plated pole piece;
• stitching a final pole piece top the trimmed fabrication.