Abstract:
A method fabricates a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and that is optically coupled with a laser. The method includes providing a waveguide for directing light from the laser toward the ABS and providing a write pole having a pole tip with an ABS location facing the surface. The pole tip is in a down track direction from the waveguide. The method also includes providing at least one shield including a shield pedestal. The shield pedestal is in the down track direction from the pole tip. At least one protective pad is provided adjacent to the write pole and between the ABS location and the shield pedestal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/869,144, filed on Aug. 23, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a portion a conventional HAMR disk drive  100 . For clarity,  FIG. 1  is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the conventional HAMR disk drive  10  are shown. The HAMR disk drive  10  includes media  12 , a slider  15 , a HAMR head  20 , and a laser assembly  30 . Although not shown, the slider  15  and thus the laser assembly  30  and HAMR transducer  20  are generally attached to a suspension (not shown). The HAMR transducer  20  includes an air-bearing surface (ABS) proximate to the media  12  during use. The HAMR transducer  12  includes a waveguide  22 , write pole  24 , coil(s)  26  and near-field transducer (NFT)  28 . The waveguide  22  guides light to the NFT  28 , which resides near the ABS. The NFT  28  focuses the light to magnetic recording media  12 , heating a region of the magnetic media  12  at which data are desired to be recorded. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole  24  energized by the coils  26  to a modest magnetic field. 
     Although the conventional HAMR disk drive  10  functions, there are drawbacks. The pole  24  and NFT  28  include regions that are at the air-bearing surface (ABS). These regions may be surrounded by materials such as alumina and silica. The pole  24  and/or NFT  28  may inadvertently contact the media  12  or may come into contact with the media  12  during touchdown. As a result, structures in the HAMR transducer  12  may be subject to damage. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is an improved HAMR transducer having improved robustness and/or reliability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a conventional HAMR disk drive. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a HAMR transducer. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a HAMR transducer. 
         FIGS. 6A-6J  are side views of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR head disk drive during fabrication. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a HAMR transducer. 
         FIGS. 8A-8H  are side views of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR head disk drive during fabrication. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a HAMR transducer. 
         FIGS. 10A-10F  are side views of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR head disk drive during fabrication. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100  including a write transducer  120 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict perspective and side views, respectively, of the HAMR transducer  120 . For clarity,  FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B  are not to scale. Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B , for simplicity not all portions of the HAMR disk drive  100  are shown. In addition, although the HAMR disk drive  100  is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the HAMR disk drive  100  is not shown. For simplicity, only single components  102 ,  110 ,  120  and  150  are shown. However, multiples of each components  102 ,  110 ,  120 , and/or  150  and their sub-components, might be used. 
     The HAMR disk drive  100  includes media  102 , a slider  110 , a HAMR transducer  120 , and a laser assembly  150 . Additional and/or different components may be included in the HAMR disk drive  100 . Although not shown, the slider  110 , and thus the laser assembly  150  and HAMR transducer  120  are generally attached to a suspension (not shown). The laser assembly  150  includes a submount  152  and a laser  154 . The submount  152  is a substrate to which the laser  154  may be affixed for improved mechanical stability, ease of manufacturing and better robustness. The laser  154  may be a chip such as a laser diode. Thus, the laser  154  typically includes at least a resonance cavity, a gain reflector on one end of the cavity, a partial reflector on the other end of the cavity and a gain medium. For simplicity, these components of the laser  154  are not shown in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the laser  154  may be an edge emitting laser, a vertical surface emitting laser (VCSEL) or other laser. 
     The HAMR transducer  120  is fabricated on the slider  110  and includes an air-bearing surface (ABS) proximate to the media  102  during use. In general, the HAMR transducer  120  includes a write transducer and a read transducer. However, for clarity, only the write portion of the HAMR head  120  is shown. The HAMR head  120  includes a waveguide  122 , write pole  124 , coil(s)  126 , near-field transducer (NFT)  128 , protective pad(s)  130  and shield(s)  140 . In other embodiments, different and/or additional components may be used in the HAMR head  120 . The waveguide  122  guides light to the NFT  128 , which resides near the ABS. The NFT  128  utilizes local resonances in surface plasmons to focus the light to magnetic recording media  102 . At resonance, the NFT  128  couples the optical energy of the surface plasmons efficiently into the recording medium layer of the media  102  with a confined optical spot which is much smaller than the optical diffraction limit. This optical spot can rapidly heat the recording medium layer to near or above the Curie point. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole  124  energized by the coils  126  to a modest magnetic field. The write pole  124  is thus formed of high saturation magnetization material(s) such as CoFe. 
     In operation, the laser  154  emits light that is provided to the waveguide  122 . The waveguide  122  directs the light to the NFT  128 . The NFT  128  focuses the light to a region of magnetic recording media  102 . High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole  124  energized by the coils  126  to a modest magnetic field. 
     In addition, the HAMR transducer  120  includes protective pad  130  and shield  140 . The shield  140  may include a pedestal  142  and a top shield  144 . The shield  140  is recessed from the ABS, as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3B . In the absence of the protective pad  130 , therefore, the some other material would reside between the shield(s)  140  and the ABS. For example, if the protective pad  130  were not present alumina or silicon dioxide might reside between the shield  140  and the ABS. The protective pad  130  is termed “protective” because in some embodiments, the protective pad may protect the NFT  128  and the pole  124  if the transducer  120  inadvertently contacts the media  102 . Although shown in the down track direction from the pole  124 , at least some of the protective pad  130  may reside in the cross track direction from the pole  124 . In some embodiments, the protective pad  130  includes magnetic material. In other embodiments the protective pad  130  includes nonmagnetic material(s). For example, the protective pad  130  may include at least one of NiFe, tantalum oxide, CoNiFe, Ta and aluminum nitride. In some embodiments, the protective pad  130  includes or consists of material(s) that have substantially the same etch and/or lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . In some embodiments, the protective pad  130  includes or consists of material(s) that have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the shield(s)  140 . The protective pad  130  may also have substantially the same thermal characteristics as the pole  124  and surrounding structures. For example, the protective pad  130  may have substantially the same thermal conductivity as the pole  124 . In addition, the material(s) used for the pad  130  are desired to have little or no impact on the optical and magnetic performance of the transducer  120 . 
     The pad  130  may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 . In particular, the pad  130  may improve the wear resistance of the HAMR transducer  120 . The pad  130  may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . In such embodiments, the removal rate of the pad  130  during fabrication is substantially the same as the pole  124 . Thus, the pole  124  may not protrude from the ABS with respect to surrounding structures. Instead, the recession of the pole  124  may be approximately the same as the pad  130 . This may be in contrast to the conventional HAMR transducer  20 , in which aluminum oxide or silicon dioxide structures surrounding the pole  24  are recessed from the pole because the surrounding structures&#39; removal rates are greater than that of the pole  24 . Thus, the pad  130  may reduce the likelihood of or prevent the pole  124  from being the closest point to the media  102 . As a result, the pad  130  may protect the pole  124  if the transducer  120  contacts the media  102 . The pad  130  may also protect the pole  124  during touchdown. This is particularly true if the pad  130  is sufficiently large at the ABS. If the pad  130  has similar thermal properties to the pole  124 , then expansion or contraction of the structures  130  and  124  may be similar during operation of the HAMR disk drive  100 . Thus, the pad  130  may still protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pad  130  may be of nonmagnetic material or magnetic material configured to reduce their impact to the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 . Thus, the pole  124  used in writing to the media  102  may be protected from damage and/or wear. Thus, performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100  may be improved. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method  200  for fabricating a HAMR transducer. The method  200  is described in the context of the HAMR transducer  120 , though other transducers might be so fabricated. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, performed in another order, interleaved and/or combined. The magnetic recording transducer being fabricated may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider in a disk drive. The method  200  is also described in the context of a single transducer. However, the method  200  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  200  and system are also described in the context of particular layers and particular structures. However, in some embodiments, such layers may include multiple sub-layers and/or other structures. The method  200  also may commence after formation of other portions of the transducer. 
     The waveguide  122  is also provided, via step  202 . An NFT  128  may also be provided as part of step  202 . A write pole  124  is provided, via step  204 . The shield  140  including the may be provided, via step  206 . Steps  202 ,  204  and  206  typically include multiple substeps. The protective pad  130  is provided, via step  208 . Step  208  may include depositing the desired materials and patterning the materials. Fabrication may then be completed, via step  210 . Step  210  may include etching and/or lapping the transducer being fabricated. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method  250  for fabricating a HAMR transducer.  FIGS. 6A-6J  depict an exemplary embodiment of a HAMR transducer  300  during formation using the method  250 . The method  250  is described in the context of the HAMR transducer  300 , though other transducers might be so fabricated. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, performed in another order, and/or combined. The magnetic recording transducer being fabricated may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider in a disk drive. The method  250  is also described in the context of a single transducer. However, the method  250  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  250  and system are also described in the context of particular layers and particular structures. However, in some embodiments, such layers may include multiple sub-layers and/or other structures. The method  250  also may commence after formation of other portions of the transducer. 
     The method  250  starts after formation of the pole. A first dielectric layer is provided, via step  252 . In some embodiments, an additional insulating layer is deposited before the dielectric layer. For example, the dielectric layer may be aluminum oxide or silicon dioxide. Trenches are etched in the first dielectric layer, via step  254 . In some embodiments, trenches for both the coil(s) and the pad are formed in step  254 . For example, a mask having apertures in locations corresponding to the pad and coil(s) may be provided on the first dielectric layer. A reactive ion etch (RIE) or other etch appropriate to the first dielectric layer may then be performed. For example, a silicon dioxide or aluminum oxide RIE may be performed in step  254 .  FIG. 6A  depicts the transducer  300  during step  254 . Thus, the pole  302  and optional insulating layer  303  are shown. The insulating layer  303  may be used as an etch stop layer. The dielectric layer  304  is also shown. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer  304  is on the order of two micrometers thick. In some embodiments, a thin NiFe layer (not shown in  FIGS. 6A-6J ) is deposited at least on the pole  302  to serve as a stop layer and to protect the underlying pole  302 . In some embodiments, such a NiFe layer is at least two hundred Angstroms thick and not more than three hundred Angstroms thick. The mask  306  having apertures in locations corresponding to the protective pad and the coil is also shown. Also depicted in  FIG. 6A  is the ABS location. The ABS location is the location that corresponds to the ABS once fabrication of the HAMR transducer  300  is completed.  FIG. 6B  depicts the transducer  300  after step  254  is completed. Thus, the trenches  308  and  309  may be formed in the first dielectric layer  304 ′. The bottoms of these trenches may be at the insulating layer  303 . The trench  308  corresponds to the protective pad, while the trenches  309  correspond to the coil(s). In some embodiments, the trenches  309  are for a single coil, that may be part of a helical or pancake coil. 
     An insulating layer, such as aluminum oxide, may be deposited, via step  256 . The material deposited in step  256  may be used to ensure that the desired spacing is provided between the protective pad, shield, and other components. Material(s) for the protective pad may then be provided, via step  258 . For example, step  258  may include depositing a seed layer, plating a layer or material such as NiFe, and performing a planarization.  FIG. 6C  depicts the transducer  300  after step  258  has been performed. Thus, the insulator  310  and first layer of the protective pad  312  are shown. The protective pad  312  is in the trench  308 . In addition, pad material  311  has also been deposited in trenches  309 . However, this pad material  311  is sacrificial and is removed in subsequent steps. Thus, using steps  252 ,  254 ,  256  and  258  a portion of the protective pad is formed. In some embodiments, therefore, steps  252 ,  254 ,  256  and  258  may be considered to be part of step  208  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 5 and 6A-6J , the coils are provided via step  260 . Step  260  includes removing the sacrificial pad material  311  in the coil trenches  309 . For example, an etch appropriate for the pad materials may be used.  FIG. 6D  depicts the transducer  300  after this has been completed. Consequently, coil trenches  309 ′ remain. In addition, a high conductivity material such as Au, Ag or Cu, is plated. A planarization may also be performed.  FIG. 6E  depicts the HAMR transducer  300  after step  260  is completed. Thus, coil turns  313  are shown. 
     The portion of the first dielectric that resides in the location of the shield pedestal is removed, via step  262 . In some embodiments, step  262  includes providing a mask having an aperture over the pole  302  and performing an RIE appropriate to the first dielectric layer  304 ′. For example, a silicon dioxide RIE may be performed.  FIG. 6F  depicts the HAMR transducer  300  after step  262  is performed. Thus, a mask  314  is shown. The mask  314  is used during step  262 . Also shown is the shield pedestal trench  316  formed where a portion of the first dielectric layer  304 ′ has been removed. The shield is provided in the shield pedestal trench, via step  264 . Step  264  may include depositing a seed layer and plating the shield pedestal material, such as NiFe. Step  264  may also include planarizing the shield pedestal material. Thus, steps  262  and  264  may be considered analogous to part of step  206  in the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 5 and 6A-6J ,  FIG. 6G  depicts the HAMR transducer  300  after step  264  is performed. Thus, shield pedestal  318  is shown. 
     A second dielectric layer is provided, via step  266 . In some embodiments, step  266  includes providing an insulating layer, such as aluminum oxide, then providing another dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer is formed of the same material(s) as the first dielectric layer. For example, silicon dioxide and/or aluminum oxide may be used. An additional pad trench is provided in the second dielectric layer, via step  268 .  FIG. 6H  depicts the HAMR transducer  300  after step  268  is performed. Thus, a mask  322  has been formed on the second dielectric layer  320 . Second pad trench  324  has also been formed in the second dielectric layer  320 . 
     Additional protective pad materials are provided, via step  270 . Step  270  may include depositing an insulating layer, such as aluminum oxide, to ensure that the desired spacing exists between the protective pad, the shield and/or other components. In some embodiments, the additional protective pad material is the same as used for the first portion of the protective pad in step  258 . For example, NiFe may be used for one or both portions of the protective pad being formed. Thus, steps  266 ,  268  and  270  may be considered to be part of the step  208  depicted in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6I  depicts the HAMR transducer  300  after step  270  has been performed. Thus, the protective pad  330  is formed. The two layers deposited in steps  258  and  270  are denoted by the dotted line in the pad  330 . In the embodiment shown, a mask  332  has been provided to cover the protective pad during subsequent steps. 
     The remaining portion of the shield is provided in steps  272  and  274 . The protective pad  330  is covered, via step  272 . Thus, mask  332  of  FIG. 6I  is used. An exposed portion of the second dielectric layer is also removed in step  272 . Thus, a trench is formed for the top portion of the shield. The top portion of the shield is then provided, via step  274 . Step  274  may include depositing a seed layer, plating the material(s) for the shield and performing a planarization such as a CMP. In some embodiments, NiFe is used for the top portion of the shield.  FIG. 6J  depicts the HAMR transducer  300  after step  274  is performed. Thus, the shield  340  has been formed. The two layers forming the shield pedestal  318  and the remaining portion of the shield  340  are denoted by the dotted line in the shield  340 . 
     Thus, using the method  250 , the HAMR transducer  300  having protective pad  330  may be formed. The HAMR transducer  300  may thus share the benefits of the HAMR transducer  120 . For example, improved robustness and wear resistance may be achieved. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method  350  for fabricating a HAMR transducer.  FIGS. 8A-8H  depict an exemplary embodiment of a HAMR transducer  400  during formation using the method  350 . The method  350  is described in the context of the HAMR transducer  400 , though other transducers might be so fabricated. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, performed in another order, and/or combined. The magnetic recording transducer being fabricated may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider in a disk drive. The method  350  is also described in the context of a single transducer. However, the method  350  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  350  and system are also described in the context of particular layers and particular structures. However, in some embodiments, such layers may include multiple sub-layers and/or other structures. The method  350  also may commence after formation of other portions of the transducer. The method  350  and HAMR transducer  400  are also analogous to the method  250  and HAMR transducer  300 . Thus, analogous steps and components are labeled similarly. 
     The method  350  starts after formation of the pole. Further, steps  352 ,  354 ,  356 ,  358  and  360  correspond to steps  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258  and  260 , respectively. Thus, these steps are not separately discussed.  FIG. 8A  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  360  has been completed. Thus,  FIG. 8A  depicts the pole  402 , insulator  403 , first dielectric layer  404 , part of layer  406 , insulator  410 , first protective pad material  412  and coil  413  that are analogous to pole  302 , insulator  303 , dielectric layer  304 ′, layer  306 ′, insulator  310 ′, first protective pad materials  312  and coil  313 , respectively. 
     The protective pad material  312  in the pad trench is removed, via step  362 . Step  362  may be performed via an etch or other mechanism.  FIG. 8B  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  362  is performed. Thus, the first pad material  412  has been removed, leaving pad trench  408 ′. An oxide layer for the protective pad is then deposited, via step  364 . In some embodiments, step  364  may include depositing a tantalum oxide layer. The excess portion of the oxide layer outside of the pad trench  412 ′ is removed, via step  366 . Steps  352 ,  354 ,  356 ,  360 ,  364  and  366  may be considered to be part of the step  208  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7 and 8A-8H ,  FIG. 8C  depicts the HAMR transducer after step  366  is performed. Thus, the pad oxide  412 ′ is shown. 
     The portion of the first dielectric that resides in the location of the shield pedestal is removed, via step  368 . Step  368  is analogous to step  262  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7 and 8A-8H , in some embodiments, step  368  includes providing a mask having an aperture over the pole  402  and performing an RIE appropriate to the first dielectric layer  404 . For example, a silicon dioxide RIE may be performed.  FIG. 8D  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  368  is performed. Thus, a mask  414  is shown. The mask  414  is used during step  368 . Also shown is the shield pedestal trench  416  formed where a portion of the first dielectric layer  404  has been removed. The shield is provided in the shield pedestal trench, via step  370 . Step  370  is analogous to step  264  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to FITS.  7  and  8 A- 8 H, step  370  may include depositing a seed layer and plating the shield pedestal material, such as NiFe. Step  370  may also include planarizing the shield pedestal material. Thus, steps  368  and  370  may be considered analogous to part of step  206  in the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7 and 8A-8H ,  FIG. 8E  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  370  is performed. Thus, shield pedestal  418  is shown. 
     A second dielectric layer is provided, via step  372 . Step  372  is analogous to step  266  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7 and 8A-8H , in some embodiments, step  372  includes providing an insulating layer, such as aluminum oxide, then providing another dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer is formed of the same material(s) as the first dielectric layer. For example, silicon dioxide and/or aluminum oxide may be used. An additional pad trench is provided in the second dielectric layer, via step  374 . Step  374  is analogous to step  268  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7 and 8A-8H ,  FIG. 8F  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  374  is performed. Thus, a mask  422  has been formed on the second dielectric layer  420 . Second pad trench  424  has also been formed in the second dielectric layer  420 . 
     The second oxide layer for the protective pad is deposited, via step  376 . Step  376  may include depositing a tantalum oxide layer or other layer. The excess portion of the oxide layer outside of the additional pad trench is removed, via step  378 . Thus, steps  372 ,  374 ,  376  and  378  may be considered to be part of the step  208  depicted in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 8G  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  378  has been performed. Thus, the protective pad  430  is formed. The two layers forming the oxide pad  430  are denoted by the dotted line in the pad  430 . The pad  430  is thus analogous to the pad  330 , but expressly includes an oxide such as tantalum oxide. In the embodiment shown, a mask  432  has been provided to cover the protective pad during subsequent steps. 
     The remaining portion of the shield is provided in steps  380  and  382 . The protective pad  430  is covered, via step  380 . Thus, mask  432  of  FIG. 8G  is used. An exposed portion of the second dielectric layer is also removed in step  380 . Thus, a trench is formed for the top portion of the shield. The top portion of the shield is then provided, via step  382 . Step  382  may include depositing a seed layer, plating the material(s) for the shield and performing a planarization such as a CMP. In some embodiments, NiFe is used for the top portion of the shield.  FIG. 8H  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  382  is performed. Thus, the shield  440  has been formed. The two layers forming the shield pedestal  418  and the remaining portion of the shield  440  are denoted by the dotted line in the shield  440 . 
     Thus, using the method  350 , the HAMR transducer  400  having protective pad  330  may be formed. The HAMR transducer  400  may thus share the benefits of the HAMR transducers  120  and/or  300 . For example, improved robustness and wear resistance may be achieved. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method  450  for fabricating a HAMR transducer.  FIGS. 10A-10F  depict an exemplary embodiment of a HAMR transducer  500  during formation using the method  450 . The method  450  is described in the context of the HAMR transducer  400 , though other transducers might be so fabricated. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, performed in another order, and/or combined. The magnetic recording transducer being fabricated may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider in a disk drive. The method  450  is also described in the context of a single transducer. However, the method  450  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  450  and system are also described in the context of particular layers and particular structures. However, in some embodiments, such layers may include multiple sub-layers and/or other structures. The method  450  also may commence after formation of other portions of the transducer. The method  450  and HAMR transducer  500  are also analogous to the method  250 / 350  and HAMR transducer  300 / 400 . Thus, analogous steps and components are labeled similarly. 
     The method  450  starts after formation of the pole. Further, steps  452 ,  454 ,  456 ,  458 ,  460 ,  462  and  464  correspond to steps  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  262  and  264 , respectively. Thus, these steps are not separately discussed.  FIG. 10A  depicts the HAMR transducer  400  after step  464  has been completed. Thus,  FIG. 10A  depicts the pole  502 , insulator  503 , first dielectric layer  504 , part of layer  506 , insulator  510 , first protective pad material  512 , coil  513  and shield pedestal  518  that are analogous to pole  302 / 402 , insulator  303 / 403 , dielectric layer  304 ′/ 404 , layer  306 ′/ 406 , insulator  310 ′/ 410 , first protective pad materials  312 / 412 , coil  313 / 413  and shield pedestal  318 / 418 , respectively. 
     The protective pad material  512  in the pad trench is removed, via step  466 . Step  466  is analogous to step  362  and may be performed via an etch or other mechanism.  FIG. 10B  depicts the HAMR transducer  500  after step  466  is performed. Thus, the first pad material  512  has been removed, leaving pad trench  508 . An oxide layer for the protective pad is then deposited, via step  468 . In some embodiments, step  468  may include depositing a tantalum oxide layer. The excess portion of the oxide layer outside of the pad trench  512  is removed, via step  470 . Step  470  is analogous to step  366 . Steps  452 ,  454 ,  456 ,  458 ,  462 ,  468  and  470  may be considered to be part of the step  208  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 9 and 10A-8F ,  FIG. 10C  depicts the HAMR transducer  500  after step  470  is performed. Thus, the pad oxide  512 ′ is shown. 
     A second dielectric layer is provided, via step  472 . Step  472  is analogous to step  266  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 9 and 10A-10F , in some embodiments, step  472  includes providing an insulating layer, such as aluminum oxide, then providing another dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer is formed of the same material(s) as the first dielectric layer. For example, silicon dioxide and/or aluminum oxide may be used. An additional pad trench is provided in the second dielectric layer, via step  474 . Step  474  is analogous to step  268  of the method  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIGS. 9 and 10A-10F ,  FIG. 10D  depicts the HAMR transducer  500  after step  474  is performed. Thus, a mask  522  has been formed on the second dielectric layer  520 . Second pad trench  524  has also been formed in the second dielectric layer  520 . 
     The second oxide layer for the protective pad is deposited, via step  476 . Step  476  may include depositing a tantalum oxide layer or other layer. The excess portion of the oxide layer outside of the additional pad trench is removed, via step  478 . Thus, steps  472 ,  474 ,  476  and  478  may be considered to be part of the step  208  depicted in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 10E  depicts the HAMR transducer  500  after step  478  has been performed. Thus, the protective pad  530  is formed. The two layers forming the oxide pad  530  are denoted by the dotted line in the pad  530 . The pad  530  is thus analogous to the pad  330 / 430 . In the embodiment shown, a mask  532  has been provided to cover the protective pad during subsequent steps. 
     The remaining portion of the shield is provided in steps  480  and  482 . The protective pad  530  is covered, via step  480 . Thus, mask  432  of  FIG. 10E  is used. An exposed portion of the second dielectric layer is also removed in step  480 . Thus, a trench is formed for the top portion of the shield. The top portion of the shield is then provided, via step  482 . Step  482  may include depositing a seed layer, plating the material(s) for the shield and performing a planarization such as a CMP. In some embodiments, NiFe is used for the top portion of the shield. FIG.  8 H depicts the HAMR transducer  500  after step  482  is performed. Thus, the shield  540  has been formed. The two layers forming the shield pedestal  518  and the remaining portion of the shield  540  are denoted by the dotted line in the shield  540 . 
     Thus, using the method  450 , the HAMR transducer  500  having protective pad  430  may be formed. The HAMR transducer  500  may thus share the benefits of the HAMR transducers  120 ,  300  and/or  400 . For example, improved robustness and wear resistance may be achieved.