Patent ID: 6031695
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A combined read head and write head assembly, comprising:a write head, including:at least one write coil layer and an insulation stack;the write coil layer being embedded in the insulation stack;a first pole piece-second shield layer and a second pole piece layer connected at a back gap and having first and second pole tips that have edges forming a portion of an air bearing surface (ABS);the insulation stack being sandwiched between the first pole piece-second shield layer and the second pole piece layer;each of the first and second pole tips having top and bottom surfaces;a write gap layer sandwiched between the top surface of the first pole tip and the bottom surface of the second pole tip and forming a portion of the ABS; anda non-magnetic electrically conductive layer on top of the second pole tip and forming a portion of the ABS, the thickness of the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer being less than the thickness of the write gap layer and being less than the thickness of the second pole tip, the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer having a bottom surface substantially parallel to, and in physical contact with, the top surface of the second pole tip, the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer having a top surface, the top surface of the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer being on a side of the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer opposite the bottom surface of the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer such that the top surface of the non-magnetic electrically conductive layer does not physically contact any pole piece layer.