Tapered stitch pole writer for high density magnetic recording

The present invention describes a write element for a magnetic recording device that incorporates a second pole pedestal with a tapered shape. This tapered shape substantially reduces side-writing and the second pulse effect, each of which can limit maximum areal densities of information recorded on magnetic media. The present invention further includes a magnetic recording device incorporating a write element with a tapered second pole pedestal within the read/write head. The present invention also includes a method for producing a write element incorporating a tapered second pole pedestal.

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What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic write element comprising:

a first pole formed of magnetic material and having a first pole tip portion;

a second pole disposed above said first pole and having a second pole tip portion including a bottom surface, wherein said second pole tip portion is aligned with said first pole tip portion, said second pole being formed of magnetic materialthat is connected to said first pole distal said pole tip portions;

a second pole pedestal connected to said second pole tip portion and disposed between said second pole tip portion and said first pole tip portion, wherein said second pole pedestal has a first surface, a second surface, a substantially planarfirst sidewall, and a substantially planar second sidewall, and formed of magnetic material, said second pole pedestal having a tapered shape wherein said first surface of said second pole pedestal is wider than said second surface of said second polepedestal;

a write gap formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material disposed between said second pole pedestal and said first pole tip portion;

a first pole pedestal disposed between said first pole tip portion and said write gap and connected to said first pole tip portion and bounded by said first and second sidewalls;

an insulating layer formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material disposed between said first pole and said second pole; and

a conductive coil imbedded within said insulating layer.

2. The magnetic write element according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a width of said first surface of said second pole pedestal to a width of said bottom surface of said second pole tip portion is in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0.

3. The magnetic write element according to claim 1 wherein a ratio of a width of said first surface of said second pole pedestal to a width of said bottom surface of said second pole tip portion is at least about 1.0 and said second pole isformed of a magnetic material characterized by a higher magnetization (Bs) than a magnetization (Bs) of said second pole pedestal.

4. The magnetic write element according to claim 2, wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle within the range of about 20.degree. to about 60.degree., wherein said angle is measuredfrom a vertical line that bisects said first pole tip portion and said second pole tip portion.

5. The magnetic write element according to claim 2, wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle of about 45.degree. measured from a vertical line that bisects said first pole tipportion and said second pole tip portion.

6. The magnetic write element according to claim 3, wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle within the range of about 20.degree. to about 60.degree. measured from a vertical linethat bisects said first pole tip portion and said second pole tip portion.

7. The magnetic write element according to claim 3, wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle of about 45.degree. measured from a vertical line that bisects said first pole tipportion and said second pole tip portion.

8. The magnetic write element according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a width of said first surface of said second pole pedestal to a width of said bottom surface of said second pole tip portion is in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0.

9. The magnetic write element according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a width of said first surface of said second pole pedestal to a width of said bottom surface of said second pole tip portion is at least about 1.0 and said second pole isformed of a magnetic material characterized by a higher magnetization (Bs) than a magnetization (Bs) of said second pole pedestal, and wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle within the rangeof about 20.degree. to about 60.degree. measured from a vertical line that bisects said first pole tip portion and said second pole tip portion.

10. The magnetic write element according to claim 8, wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle within the range of about 20.degree. to about 60.degree. measured from a vertical linethat bisects said first pole tip portion and said second pole tip portion.

11. The magnetic write element according to claim 8, wherein said first sidewall and said second sidewall of said second pole pedestal each define an angle of about 45.degree. measured from a vertical line that bisects said first pole tipportion and said second pole tip portion.

12. A magnetic storage device, comprising:

a) a read/write head including,

a magnetic write element including,

a first pole formed of magnetic material and having a first pole tip portion,

a second pole disposed above said first pole and having a second pole tip portion including a bottom surface, wherein said second pole tip portion is aligned with said first pole tip portion, said second pole being formed of magnetic materialthat is connected to said first pole distal said pole tip portions,

second pole pedestal connected to said second pole tip portion and disposed between said second pole tip portion and said first pole tip portion, wherein said second pole pedestal has a first surface, a second surface, a substantially planarfirst sidewall, and a substantially planar second sidewall, and formed of magnetic material, said second pole pedestal having a tapered shape wherein said first surface of said second pole pedestal is wider than said second surface of said second polepedestal,

a write gap formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material disposed between said second pole pedestal and said first pole tip portion,

a first pole pedestal disposed between said first pole tip portion and said write gap and connected to said first pole tip portion and bounded by said first and second sidewalls;

an insulating layer formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material disposed between said first pole and said second pole, and

a conductive coil imbedded within said insulating layer, and a read element including,

a magnetoresistive read sensor positioned below said first pole, and

a first shield positioned below said magnetoresistive read sensor, thereby forming a read element with said magnetoresistive read sensor and said first pole; and

b) a medium support configured to support and move a magnetic medium in relation to said read/write head, wherein said medium support includes a spindle on which said medium can be supported, said spindle having an axis about which said mediumcan rotate, and a medium motor connected to said spindle and capable of facilitating said moving of said medium relative to said read/write head; and

c) a read/write head support system for suspending said read/write head proximate said magnetic medium and including a means for moving said read/write head relative to said magnetic medium.

13. The magnetic storage device according to claim 12, further comprising a magnetic medium.

14. A method for forming a magnetic write element, comprising:

a) providing a first pole of a magnetic material including providing a first pole tip portion;

b) forming a first pole pedestal connected to said first pole;

c) forming a write gap of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material disposed between said second pole pedestal and said first pole tip portion;

d) forming a second pole pedestal of a magnetic material disposed above and aligned with said first pole tip portion, said second pole pedestal having a first surface and a second surface;

e) tapering said first and second pole pedestals such that substantially planar first and second sidewalls are formed thereon, said sidewalls bounding both pole pedestals;

f) forming an insulating layer having a top surface and disposed between said first pole and said second pole;

g) forming a conductive coil embedded within said insulating layer, and

h) forming a second pole of a magnetic material, including forming a second pole tip portion having a bottom surface, wherein said second pole tip portion is disposed above, connected to, and aligned with said first surface of said second polepedestal, and said second pole is connected to said first pole distal said pole tip portions.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step of forming a seed layer disposed between said second pole pedestal and said write gap.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said first surface of said second pole pedestal is formed with a first width, and said bottom surface of said second pole tip portion is formed with a second width, and a ratio of said first widthto said second width is in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0.

17. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step of planarizing said first surface of said second pole pedestal and said top surface of said insulating layer until both said surfaces are substantially coplanar.

18. The method recited in claim 14, wherein tapering said first and second pole pedestals is achieved by ion milling.

19. The method in claim 18, wherein said ion milling is performed until said first and second sidewalls each define an angle within the range of about 20.degree. to about 60.degree. as measured from a vertical line that bisects said first poletip portion and said second pole tip portion.