Patent ID: 6553649
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a merged magnetic head that has an air bearing surface (ABS) and read and write head portions, the write head portion having pole tip, yoke and back gap regions comprising:making the write head as follows: forming first and second pole pieces, the first pole piece having a first pole tip and the second pole piece having a second pole tip; forming a gap layer; separating the pole tips by the gap layer in the pole tip region and connecting the first and second pole pieces in the back gap region; forming an insulation stack with a plurality of insulation layers; embedding at least one write coil layer in the insulation stack; locating the insulation stack between the first and second pole pieces in the yoke region; and making the first pole tip with a width at the ABS that defines a track width of the write head portion; making the read head portion as follows: forming a first shield layer which is a common layer with said second pole piece; forming first and second read gap layers on the first shield layer; locating a read sensor between the first and second gap layers; and forming a second shield layer on the second read gap layer.