Patent ID: 6025977
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A combined magnetoresistive (MR) read and inductive write head comprising:an MR read sensor sandwiched between first and second gap layers which, in turn, are sandwiched between first and second shield layers;a write coil which is sandwiched between insulation layers which are, in turn, sandwiched between first and second pole pieces, the pole pieces terminating at pole tips which are separated by a gap layer at an air bearing surface (ABS) and magnetically connected at a back gap;the head having a pole tip region, an insulation stack region, and a coil region, the pole tip region extending from the ABS to the insulation stack region, the insulation stack region extending from the pole tip region to the back gap, and the coil region being located in the insulation stack region but spaced from the pole tip region;the MR read sensor defining an MR region which has a width along the ABS and a depth into the head that extends perpendicular to the ABS;the first and second shield layers being located in the pole tip region;at least one of the first and second shield layers being absent or thinned down in the insulation stack region so as to provide a depression in the insulation stack region;the write coil and the insulation layers being located within said depression;the second pole piece being disposed on the insulation layers and the write coil;first and second lead layers sandwiched between the first and second gap layers and connected to first and second opposite ends respectively of the MR sensor;first and second conductors located transverse the MR sensor beyond the second shield layer;the first and second lead layers extending parallel to the ABS from the MR sensor and connected to the first and second conductors respectively through vias in the second gap layer that are located beyond the second shield layer;first and second gap prefill layers;the first gap prefill layer being sandwiched between the first gap layer on one side and the first and second lead layers on an opposite side, the first and second lead layers being sandwiched between the first gap prefill layer and the second gap layer, the second gap layer being sandwiched between the first and second lead layers on one side and the second gap prefill layer on an opposite side, andthe first gap layer, the first gap prefill layer, the first and second lead layers, the second gap layer and the second gap prefill layer being sandwiched between the first and second shield layers with the exception that the first and second gap prefill layers are not sandwiched between the first and second shield layers in said MR region;the second gap prefill layer also having vias that are located beyond the second shield layer for connecting the first and second leads to the first and second conductors; andthe first and second conductors extending beyond the first and second shield layers back into the head in directions transverse to the ABS and having terminal ends which are connected to first and second pads.