Method of manufacturing a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording

A method of manufacturing a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording, the magnetic head comprising:

• a medium facing surface that faces toward a recording medium;
• a coil that generates a magnetic field corresponding to data to be written on the recording medium;
• a pole layer that allows a magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the coil to pass therethrough and generates a write magnetic field for writing the data on the recording medium by means of a perpendicular magnetic recording system;
• a pole-layer-encasing layer made of a nonmagnetic material and having a top surface and a pole-layer-encasing section formed of a groove that opens at the top surface and that accommodates the pole layer,
• wherein the pole layer includes a first layer made of a magnetic material, and a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer including at least one magnetic film,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• forming the pole-layer-encasing layer;
• forming the pole layer in the pole-layer-encasing section of the pole-layer-encasing layer;
• and
• forming the coil,
• wherein the step of forming the pole layer includes the steps of:
• forming an initial first layer by physical vapor deposition, the initial first layer being intended to become the first layer later by undergoing etching of a surface thereof;
• etching the surface of the initial first layer by dry etching so that the initial first layer becomes the first layer;
• and
• forming the second layer on the first layer, wherein:
• the initial first layer forms a groove having an initial opening;
• and
• in the step of etching the surface of the initial first layer, the surface of the initial first layer is etched such that the initial opening turns into an opening that is wider than the initial opening.