Abstract:
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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to magnetic disk data storage systems, and more particularly to a magnetic write head design and methods for making same. 
     Magnetic disk drives are used to store and retrieve data for digital electronic apparatuses such as computers. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a magnetic disk data storage system  10  of the prior art includes a sealed enclosure  12 , a medium motor  14 , a magnetic medium or disk  16 , supported for rotation by a drive spindle S 1  of the medium motor  14 , an actuator  18  and an arm  20  attached to an actuator spindle S 2  of actuator  18 . A read/write head support system consists of a suspension  22  coupled at one end to the arm  20 , and at its other end to a read/write head or transducer  24 . 
     The transducer  24  (which will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1C) typically includes an inductive write element with a sensor read element. As the motor  14  rotates the magnetic disk  16 , as indicated by the arrow R, an air bearing is formed under the transducer  24  causing it to lift slightly off of the surface of the magnetic disk  16 , or, as it is termed in the art, to “fly” above the magnetic disk  16 . Alternatively, some transducers, known as “contact heads,” ride on the disk surface. Discrete units of magnetic data, known as “bits,” are typically arranged sequentially in multiple concentric rings, or “tracks,” on the surface of the magnetic medium. Data can be written to and/or read from essentially any portion of the magnetic disk  16  as the actuator  18  causes the transducer  24  to pivot in a short arc, as indicated by the arrows P, over the surface of the spinning magnetic disk  16 . The design and manufacture of magnetic disk data storage systems is well known to those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 1C depicts a magnetic read/write head  24  including a read element  26  and a write element  28 . A common surface known as the air bearing surface ABS in the plane  29 , is shared by the read element  26  and write element  28 . The magnetically active components of both the read element  26  and the write element  28  terminate at the ABS, which faces the surface of the magnetic disk  16  (see FIG.  1 A). This configuration minimizes the distance between the magnetic medium  16  and the magnetically active components of the magnetic read/write head  24  for optimal reading and writing performance. 
     The read element  26  includes a first shield  30 , an intermediate layer  32 , which functions as a second shield, and a read sensor  34  that is located between the first shield  30  and the second shield  32 . The most common type of read sensor  34  used in the read/write head  24  is the magnetoresistive (AMR or GMR) sensor which is used to detect magnetic field signals from a magnetic medium through changing resistance in the read sensor. 
     The write element  28  is typically an inductive write element. The write element  28  includes the intermediate layer  32 , which functions as a first pole, and a second pole  38  disposed above the first pole  32 . The first pole  32  and the second pole  38  are attached to each other by a backgap portion  40 , with these three elements collectively forming a yoke  41 . Above and attached to the first pole  32  at a first pole tip portion  43 , is a first pole pedestal  42  exposed along the ABS. In addition, a second pole pedestal  44  is attached to the second pole  38  at a second pole tip portion  45  and is aligned with the first pole pedestal  42 . This portion of the first and second poles  42  and  44  near the ABS is sometimes referred to as the yoke tip portion  46 . 
     A write gap  36  is formed between the first and second pole pedestals  42  and  44  in the yoke tip portion  46 . The write gap  36  is made of a non-magnetic material. This non-magnetic material can be either integral with (as is shown here) or separate from a first insulation layer  47  that lies below the second pole  38  and extends from the yoke tip portion  46  to the backgap portion  40 . 
     Also included in write element  28  is a conductive coil  48 , formed of multiple winds  49 . Typically, the winds  49  of the conductive coil  48  spiral around the portion of the second pole near the backgap portion  40  in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the viewing plane of FIG.  1 C. Some designs in the prior art employ several substantially parallel conductive coils arranged in a stack, rather than the single conductive coil  48  illustrated. For ease of viewing, complete winds are not shown. 
     The conductive coil  48  is positioned within a non-magnetic and electrically insulating medium  50  that lies above the first insulation layer  47 . As is well known to those skilled in the art, current passed through the conductive coil  48  magnetizes the yoke  41  and creates a magnetic field across the write gap  36  between the first and second pole pedestals  42  and  44 . The magnetic field across the write gap  36  can induce a reorientation of magnetic domains in a nearby magnetic medium such as a magnetic disk  16  (see FIG.  1 A). Changing the magnetic field across the write gap  36  as the write gap  36  is moved relative to, and in close proximity with, a magnetic medium  16  can induce corresponding variations in the orientations of magnetic domains within the magnetic medium along the write element path of travel. The smallest region on the surface of the magnetic disk  16  that may be induced to have coherently oriented magnetic domains typically constitutes a single bit. By this process bits may be sequentially written along a track on the surface of the magnetic disk  16 . 
     In FIG. 1D, a view taken along line  1 D— 1 D of FIG. 1C further illustrates the structure of the read/write head  24 . As can be seen from this view, the first and second pole pedestals  42  and  44  have substantially equal widths of Wp which are smaller than the width W of the first and second pole tip portions  32  and  38  in the yoke tip portion  46 . 
     Of critical importance to the disk drive industry is the total quantity of information that can be written within a unit area on the surface of a magnetic disk  16 . This quantity is sometimes referred to as the areal density and is typically expressed in terms of bits per square inch. The number of bits per square inch is a function of two primary factors: how many bits can be written within a unit length of a track, known as the linear density and expressed as bits per inch; and how many tracks can be placed within a unit area, known as the track density and expressed as tracks per inch. The linear density and the track density are each functions of several variables. 
     The linear density is a function of the length of the bits and the spacing between them, and is maximized by making the bits smaller and placed closer together. To maintain data integrity, though, bits cannot overlap. One of the problems in the prior art that limits the ability to place bits closer together is a phenomenon sometimes referred to as the second pulse effect. The second pulse effect is a problem whereby the process of writing a bit on a track actually produces two bits, a first intended bit closely followed in the track by a second unintended bit. Ordinarily, the second unintended bit is smaller than the first bit and the two bits may be distinguished on this basis. However, the very presence of the second unintended bit close behind the first intended bit precludes writing another intended bit in the unintended bit&#39;s place. Thus, these spurious unintended bits created by the second pulse effect can limit how closely legitimate intended bits may be written in a track. 
     The track density is a function of the trackwidth, which is also the width of the individual bits written within the track, and the spacing between the tracks. Maximization of track density is achieved by making bits narrower and by reducing the spacing between tracks. The width of a written bit is essentially a function of the dimensions of the write element at the ABS and the distance between the ABS and the magnetic disk  16 . For example, in the write element of FIGS. 1C and 1D, the width is a function of the pole pedestals  42  and  44  dimensions. The spacing between tracks in theory could be completely eliminated so that the edges of adjacent tracks just touch one another. In practice, however, mechanical tolerances, such as the accuracy with which the arm  20  may be positioned, limit how closely tracks may be placed without having adjacent tracks undesirably overlap one another. Another limitation known in the art is a phenomenon sometimes referred to as side-writing. Side-writing is a problem whereby the process of writing bits to the magnetic disk  16  additionally creates spurious features adjacent to the bits but outside of the track. Consequently, if tracks are placed too near one another, these spurious features created by the side-writing phenomenon may overlap the bits on adjacent tracks. When the problem of side-writing is present, tracks may need to be placed still further apart than required by mechanical tolerance considerations. 
     The causes of side-writing and the second pulse effect may be related to the relative arrangement of the poles and the pole pedestals. More specifically, flux leakage at the interface between the second pole pedestal  44  and the second pole tip portion  45  may induce the second pulse effect, and flux leakage directly from the edges of the second pole tip portion  45  to the first pole tip portion  43  may create undesirable side-writing. Together, these two effects can hamper efforts to achieve higher areal densities. 
     Accordingly, what is desired is an easily fabricated write element that significantly reduces both side-writing and the second pulse effect to allow for higher linear densities and higher track densities thereby achieving greater areal densities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a magnetic write element, a method for making the same, and a magnetic storage device incorporating the same. The magnetic write element provides a unique pole pedestal geometry for significantly reducing both side-writing and the second pulse effect. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic write element includes a first pole having a first pole tip portion and a second pole having a second pole tip portion, both formed of magnetic material. The second pole is situated above the first pole and the two poles are connected to one another distal their respective pole tip portions. The pole tip portion of the second pole is aligned with the pole tip portion of the first pole. A second pole pedestal is connected to the second pole tip portion and is situated between the second pole tip portion and the first pole tip portion. The second pole pedestal is also formed of magnetic material and has a first surface, a second surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first surface of the second pole pedestal faces the bottom surface of the second pole tip portion. The second pole pedestal further has a tapered shape wherein its first surface is wider than its second surface. 
     The magnetic write element further includes a write gap formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material situated between the second surface of the second pole pedestal and the first pole tip portion. Additionally, the write element includes an insulating layer formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material between the first pole and the second pole, and a conductive coil imbedded within it. The tapered second pole pedestal creates an advantageous geometry for the write element that significantly reduces the phenomena of side-writing and the second pulse effect, thus allowing higher areal densities to be achieved. An additional advantage may be to provide greater magnetic flux for writing by reducing magnetic flux lost to flux leakage. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is a magnetic storage device comprising a read/write head, a read/write head support system, a magnetic medium, and a medium support system. The read/write head is itself comprised of a magnetic write element and a read element. The magnetic write element includes a first pole having a first pole tip portion and a second pole having a second pole tip portion, both formed of magnetic material. The second pole is situated above the first pole and the two poles are connected to one another distal their respective pole tip portions. The pole tip portion of the second pole is aligned with the pole tip portion of the first pole. 
     A second pole pedestal is connected to the second pole tip portion and is situated between the second pole tip portion and the first pole tip portion. The second pole pedestal is also formed of magnetic material and has a first surface, a second surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first surface of the second pole pedestal faces the bottom surface of the second pole tip portion. The second pole pedestal further has a tapered shape wherein its first surface is wider than its second surface. The magnetic write element further includes a write gap formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material situated between the second surface of the second pole pedestal and the first pole tip portion. Additionally, the magnetic write element includes an insulating layer formed of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material between the first pole and the second pole, and a conductive coil imbedded within it. The read element includes a magnetoresistive read sensor positioned below the first pole and a first shield positioned below the magnetoresistive read sensor. 
     The magnetic storage device further includes a read/write head support system for suspending the read/write head above the magnetic medium. This system includes a means for moving the read/write head relative to the magnetic medium. The magnetic storage device also includes a medium support configured to support and move the magnetic medium in relation to the read/write head. The medium support includes a spindle for supporting the magnetic medium and a medium motor connected to the spindle for the purpose of rotating the magnetic medium around the axis of the spindle. The tapered second pole pedestal is advantageous to the magnetic storage device because it allows for higher areal densities and therefore allows the magnetic storage device to store more data on the same size disk than previously achievable by the prior art. A further advantage may be to provide more magnetic flux for writing. This advantage, in the context of a magnetic storage device, may allow read/write heads to achieve the same magnetic write flux as presently achievable in the prior art but with a lower power consumption. Alternately, for the same power consumption the same magnetic write flux could be achieved using fewer winds in the conductive coil, and fewer winds would allow the read/write head to be made more compact. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method, comprising multiple operations, for forming a magnetic write element. One operation provides a first pole of a magnetic material including forming a first pole tip portion. Another operation is directed to forming a second pole pedestal of a magnetic material situated above and aligned with the first pole tip portion, the second pole pedestal having a first surface, a second surface, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a tapered shape. Yet another operation is directed to forming a write gap of non-magnetic and electrically insulating material located between the second surface of the second pole pedestal and the first pole tip portion. Still another operation is directed to forming a second pole of a magnetic material, including forming a second pole tip portion having a bottom surface, where the second pole tip portion is disposed above, connected to, and aligned with the first surface of the second pole pedestal. Included in this operation is the step of connecting the first and second poles to one another distal their pole tip portions. Still yet another operation is directed to forming an insulating layer having a top surface and situated between the first pole and the second pole. A further operation is directed to forming a conductive coil embedded within the insulating layer. This method advantageously allows for the fabrication of a superior write element through existing fabrication technologies, thus reducing the need to invest in costly new equipment and facilities. 
    
    
     These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following descriptions of the invention and a study of the several figures of the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, with like reference numerals designating like elements. 
     FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of a magnetic storage system; 
     FIG. 1B is a top plan view of the magnetic storage system taken along line  1 B— 1 B of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a prior art read/write head; 
     FIG. 1D is an ABS view of the prior art read/write head taken along line  1 D— 1 D of FIG. 1C; 
     FIG. 2 is an ABS view of a magnetic write element, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an ABS view of a magnetic write element, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a process diagram of a method for fabricating a magnetic write element, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1A-1D were discussed above with reference to the prior art. 
     FIG. 2 is a view of a magnetic write element  60 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the magnetic write element as viewed from the air bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic write element  60  includes a first pole  63  having a first pole tip portion  62 , a second pole  65  having a second pole tip portion  64 , a second pole pedestal  66 , a write gap  68 , and an insulation layer  78 . The magnetic write element  60  can be connected to a read element (not shown) thereby forming a read/write head. The first pole  63  of magnetic write element  60  can also operate as a second shield of the read element. The second pole  65  of magnetic write element  60  is connected to the first pole  63  by a backgap portion (not shown). The first and second poles  63  and  65  and their respective pole tip portions  62  and  64  are preferably formed of magnetic materials such as NiFe, FeN, or FeXN (where, for example, X=Ta, Al, or Rh), with materials that exhibit high magnetic moments being desirable. The backgap portion can be formed of the same or similar materials as the first pole or second pole. For example, each pole can be formed of a material or materials different from the other, with the backgap portion being formed of one or more of those materials. The write gap  68  and the insulation layer  78  are both fabricated from non-magnetic electrically insulating materials such as alumina, Al 2 O 3 . 
     The second pole pedestal  66  is connected to the second pole tip portion  64  of the second pole  65 . The second pole pedestal  66  can be formed of the same or similar magnetic material as are the first and second poles, and/or the same or similar material as is the backgap portion. The second pole pedestal  66  has a tapered shape that imparts significantly improved magnetic writing properties to the magnetic write element  60  in that it substantially reduces side-writing and the second pulse effect. The second pole pedestal  66  includes four surfaces: a first surface  72 , a second surface  70 , a first sidewall  74 , and a second sidewall  76 . The first and second sidewalls  74  and  76  taper from the first surface  72  to the second surface  70  such that the first surface width W TOP  is greater than the second surface width W BOT . Additionally, both the first and second sidewalls  74  and  76  lie at angles relative to a vertical line  79  that bisects both the first pole tip portion  62  and the second pole tip portion  64 . The first sidewall angle α is the angle that the first sidewall  74  forms with line  79 , and the second sidewall angle β is the angle that the second sidewall  76  forms with line  79 . The sidewall angles α and β can be between about 20° and about 60° with about 45° working well. The second pole pedestal  66  can be fabricated from a magnetic material characterized by a higher magnetization (Bs) than the magnetic material used to form the second pole  65  and second pole tip portion  64 . 
     A parameter of the present invention is the ratio of the first surface width W TOP  of the of the second pole pedestal  66  to the bottom surface width W 2PT  of the second pole tip portion  64 . When the magnetization (Bs) of the second pole pedestal  66  is greater than the magnetization (Bs) of the second pole  65  and the second pole tip portion  64  this ratio can be in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0. With ratios of less than about 0.6 the problems of side-writing and the second pulse effect may be more likely. While a ratio close to 1.0 works well for reducing side-writing and the second pulse effect, manufacturing tolerances favor ratio values lower than about 1.0. For example, a smaller ratio allows for slight misalignments of the second pole tip portion  64  with the second pole pedestal  66  while still keeping the top surface  72  of the second pole pedestal  66  between the left end  75  and the right end  77  of the second pole tip portion  64 . Representative values for an embodiment of the present invention are 1.2 μm for W TOP  and 1.5 μm for W 2PT , yielding a ratio of 0.8. Similarly, representative values for the height, h, of the second pole pedestal  66  are in the range of about 0.5 μm to about 2.5 μm. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the ratio of W TOP  to W 2PT  may be greater than about 1.0. This would correspond to the situation in which the width of the first surface W TOP  of the second pole pedestal  66  is greater than the width W 2PT  of the second pole tip portion  64 . Again, while a ratio near 1.0 works well for reducing side-writing and the second pulse effect, alignment considerations suggest ratios somewhat higher than about 1.0. For embodiments in which the ratio is greater than about 1.0, the second pole  65  and second pole tip portion  64  can be fabricated from a magnetic material that is characterized by a higher magnetization (Bs) than the second pole pedestal  66 . 
     Another embodiment of the magnetic write element of the present invention  80  further includes a first pole pedestal  82  as shown in FIG.  3 . The first pole pedestal  82  is fabricated from a magnetic material and is situated between the first pole tip portion  62  and the write gap  68 . The first pole pedestal  82  may be either integral or non-integral with the first pole tip portion  62 . In the embodiment where the first pole pedestal  82  is integral with the first pole tip portion  62 , the first pole pedestal  82  can be fabricated from the same layer of magnetic material from which the first pole tip portion  62  is formed. By contrast, in embodiments where the first pole pedestal  82  is non-integral, the first pole pedestal  82  may be formed of a different layer of magnetic material than the layer used to form the first pole tip portion  62 . 
     FIG. 3 also shows a seed layer  86 . The seed layer  86  is situated between the second pole pedestal  66  and the write gap  68 , however, alternative embodiments do not include a seed layer. Seed layers may be used to improve the adhesion of electroplated thick NiFe magnetic layers, while seed layers are typically unnecessary for satisfactory adhesion of sputtered films, as is well known in the art. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed towards a magnetic storage device comprising a read/write head that incorporates a write element of the present invention with the tapered second pole pedestal  66 , and with or without a first pole pedestal  82  as described above. This embodiment integrates the write element with a read element according to a design that is well known to those skilled in the art of read/write head fabrication, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1D of the prior art. 
     The embodiment setting forth a magnetic storage device can further include a support system for the read/write head, a magnetic medium, and a medium support. The read/write head support system further includes a suspension system and actuator for precision positioning of the read/write head relative to the magnetic medium and for damping vibrations that may affect the spacing between the read/write head and the magnetic medium as well as affect the ability for the read/write head to remain fixed over a specific track on the magnetic medium. Such suspensions and actuators are well known to those skilled in the art of magnetic disk drives. Similarly, this embodiment includes a magnetic medium and a support for that medium which can include a spindle and a motor for rotating the medium around the axis of the spindle according to designs well known to those skilled in the art. Another embodiment of this magnetic storage device contains the further element of a first pole pedestal  82  as part of the magnetic write element as described above. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention is a method  100  for fabricating a magnetic write element incorporating a tapered second pole pedestal. This embodiment is outlined in a process diagram shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Operation  102  provides for a first pole including a first pole tip portion. The first pole and pole tip portion may be formed of a magnetic material such as NiFe, FeN, or FeXN (where, for example, X=Ta, Al, or Rh). Operation  102  may include electroplating or another deposition technique. 
     Operation  104  includes the formation of a second pole pedestal having a tapered shape and located above the first pole tip portion. The second pole pedestal may be formed of a magnetic material such as NiFe, FeN, or FeXN (where, for example, X=Ta, Al, or Rh), with materials that exhibit high magnetic moments being desirable. It is not essential, however, that the second pole pedestal be formed of the same materials as the first pole. The formation of the tapered shape may be accomplished in numerous ways. In one embodiment, the tapered shape is formed by creating a plating dam with the desired tapered shape. The plating dam is then filled with the desired magnetic material, for example, by a plating operation, and finally the plating dam is removed by, for example, dissolution. 
     In another embodiment the tapered shape is formed by first providing a second pole pedestal with essentially vertical sidewalls. This may be accomplished, for example, by electroplating with or without the benefit of a seed layer as is well known to those skilled in the art. Next, the material from the sidewalls is removed until the desired tapered shape is achieved. Material may be removed from the sidewalls, for example, by polishing, shaving, ion milling, combinations of these processes, or by other known techniques. 
     In a particular embodiment the tapered shape is partially formed by ion milling one sidewall, and separately ion milling the other sidewall. Yet another envisioned embodiment calls for the partial formation of the tapered shape by ion milling both sidewalls, with the ion milling being terminated before the desired tapered shape is achieved. The desired tapered shape is later achieved by an additional ion milling operation that works on both the second pole pedestal and the first pole tip portion simultaneously. In this last embodiment an integral first pole pedestal is formed from the top surface of the first pole tip portion while the desired tapered shape of the second pole pedestal is finished. 
     The formation of a write gap made of a non-magnetic and electrically insulating material is provided for in operation  106 . Many suitable non-magnetic electrically insulating materials are known in the art such as alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), silica (SiO 2 ), and silicon carbide (SiC). The write gap may be formed between the second pole pedestal and the first pole tip portion, however, in embodiments of the present invention that also include a first pole pedestal, the write gap may be formed between the second pole pedestal and the first pole pedestal. 
     The formation of the write gap may be accomplished in numerous ways. One method by which the write gap may be formed is by first forming a mold with the desired dimensions and then filling the mold with the desired material, for example by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). After filling, the mold may be removed, for example, by dissolution. A suitable mold may be formed, for example, by photolithography techniques well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Another method for forming the write gap may be accomplished by depositing a continuous layer of the desired material, for example, by CVD, and then removing all of the layer except in the desired location. Unwanted portions of the continuous layer may be removed by masking the portion sought to be retained and subjecting the remainder of the continuous layer to a removal process such as reactive ion etching (RIE). Alternatively, a continuous layer may serve as both the write gap and as all or part of the insulating layer formed in operation  108  discussed below. In such a situation the write gap is said to be integral with the insulation layer of operation  108 . 
     Operation  108  includes forming an insulating layer of a non-magnetic and electrically insulating material. The insulating layer may be formed above the first pole and in contact with the left and right sidewalls of the second pole pedestal and the side of the second pole pedestal opposite the ABS. Several suitable non-magnetic electrically insulating materials such as alumina, as previously described, can be used. Forming the insulating layer may be accomplished in numerous ways. As previously described with reference to the write gap formation in operation  106 , one method may include forming a continuous layer by a deposition technique such as CVD, such that the insulation layer is integral with the write gap. Alternately, the insulating layer may be built up with multiple layers, and the individual layers need not be of the same composition. It may also be desirable to partially form the insulating layer, perform other operations, and then complete the insulation layer. 
     Forming an embedded conductive coil within the insulating layer is provided in operation  110 . A conductive coil may be formed as a spiral with an open middle portion and lying substantially in a single plane, and situated with the open middle portion of the spiral substantially centered on a backgap that connects the first pole with a second pole (discussed below). Forming more than one conductive coil stacked in substantially parallel layers, as is well known in the art, can also be included in the method  100 . Conductive coils may be fabricated from any electrically conductive material, but copper (Cu) is known to work well. It may be desirable to combine operations  108  and  110  such that parts of the insulation layer and the conductive coil are alternatively formed until both operations are complete. The conductive coils can be formed by photolithography techniques well known in the art. 
     Operation  112  provides for the formation of a second pole including a second pole tip portion. The second pole may be located above the insulation layer and above the second pole pedestal such that the second pole tip portion may be connected to the second pole pedestal. The second pole may connect to a backgap that further connects to the first pole. The backgap may be located distal to the first and second pole tip portions, and together with the first and second poles forms the yoke. The second pole and pole tip portion may be formed of a magnetic material such as NiFe, FeN, or FeXN (where, for example, X=Ta, Al, or Rh), with materials that exhibit high magnetic moments being desirable. It is not essential, however, that the second pole be formed of the same materials as the first pole or as the second pole pedestal. Forming the second pole and pole tip portion may be accomplished by electroplating, with or without the benefit of a seed layer, or by another suitable deposition technique known to those with ordinary skill in the art. 
     It should be noted that although the operations shown in FIG.  4  and described above are provided in a certain order for the sake of clarity, the order of presentation is not meant to imply a specific order in which the steps are to be carried out. 
     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.