White head for high anisotropy media

A disc drive comprising:

• means for rotating a magnetic storage medium;
• and
• means for positioning a write head adjacent to a surface of the magnetic storage medium;
• wherein the write head includes a first write pole for producing a first magnetic field in a first direction, and a second write pole for producing a second magnetic field such that a combined field from the first and second write poles lies either substantially along the first direction or in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction;
• and
• wherein the second write pole includes a free layer having magnetization controlled by spin transfer torque, and a first spacer positioned between the free layer and the first write pole.

A method of writing to magnetic storage media, the method comprising:

• using a first write pole and a second write pole to produce a first magnetic field in a first direction to create a first change in the direction of magnetization of magnetic domains in the magnetic storage media;
• removing the first magnetic field;
• and
• using the first write pole and the second write pole to produce a second magnetic field lying substantially orthogonal to the first direction to switch the direction of magnetization of the magnetic domains in the magnetic storage media, wherein one of the first and second write poles includes a free layer having magnetization controlled by spin transfer torque.