Method for manufacturing a trailing shield structure for a perpendicular magnetic write head

A method for forming a head having a trailing shield, comprising:

• forming a magnetic return pole;
• forming a write pole that includes a write pole tip such that the write pole tip is in a trailing direction relative to the magnetic return pole, the write pole tip being configured to emit magnetic flux from an air bearing surface (ABS) in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a surface of an adjacent magnetic medium;
• forming a gap layer above the write pole tip;
• forming a non-magnetic mask above the gap layer, the non-magnetic mask having a planar front edge surface that is recessed from and coplanar with an ABS plane such that a space exists between the non-magnetic mask and the ABS plane;
• and
• forming a magnetic trailing shield on the gap layer and contacting the planar front edge surface of the non-magnetic mask, a throat height of the trailing shield being defined between the planar front edge surface of the mask and the ABS plane, the throat height of the trailing magnetic shield being sufficiently thin, and the gap layer being of such a thickness to allow the magnetic flux to emit from the write pole tip to the surface of the adjacent magnetic medium at a slightly off-normal angle, the trailing shield being a separate structure from the magnetic return pole.