Abstract:
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer is provided. The PRM transducer includes a PMR pole having a top, a bottom, and at least one sidewall, the bottom having a bottom width, the top having a top width bigger than the bottom width. The PRM transducer further includes an intermediate layer adjacent to the at least one sidewall, a write gap on the PMR pole, the write gap including a first layer on the PMR pole, the first layer including a planarization stop layer, and a shield on the write gap.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/057,692, filed on Mar. 28, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
       FIG. 1  is a flow chart depicting a conventional method  10  for fabricating a PMR transducer. For simplicity, some steps are omitted.  FIGS. 2-5  depict a conventional PMR transducer  50  formed using the method  10  as viewed from the air-bearing surface (ABS). The conventional PMR transducer  50  is formed using the conventional method  10 . The conventional PMR transducer  50  may be part of a coupled with a slider to form a conventional PMR head. In addition, a read transducer (not shown) may be included to form a merged conventional PMR head. For simplicity, only a portion of the conventional PMR transducer  50  is shown. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the conventional chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) support structure, conventional PMR pole layers and CMP stop layer are provided, via step  12 . The conventional CMP support structures are to attempt to aid in ensuring the CMP, described below, results in a relatively planar surface. Typically, the CMP support structure is between three and five microns from the PMR pole being formed. Thus, the CMP support structure may be in the device region and near the field regions between device regions. Typically, the CMP support structures are formed by milling a portion of the PMR pole layers that have been deposited, then refilling this region with the CMP support structure material, which is typically alumina. The conventional PMR pole layers may include a seed layer and one or more layers forming the magnetic portion of the conventional PMR pole. The conventional PMR pole layers reside on an underlayer, such as aluminum oxide or other nonmagnetic material. The conventional PMR pole layer(s) include magnetic materials suitable for use in the conventional PMR transducer. The conventional CMP stop layer follows the contour of the top surfaces of the PMR pole layers and the conventional CMP support structures. The conventional CMP stop layer may include materials such as diamond-like carbon (DLC). 
     A conventional hard mask is provided on the conventional CMP stop layer, via step  14 . The conventional hard mask covers a portion of the PMR pole layers from which the conventional PMR pole is to be formed. The conventional hard mask may include materials such as NiFe.  FIG. 2  depicts the conventional PMR transducer  50  after step  14  is performed. Consequently, an underlayer  52  on which the PMR pole layers  54  and conventional CMP support structure  53  are shown. Also depicted are the conventional CMP stop layer  56  and the conventional hard mask  57 . 
     The conventional PMR pole is defined from the conventional PMR pole layers  54 , via step  16 . Step  16  typically includes performing an ion mill and a pole trim using the hard mask to expose the portion of the conventional PMR pole layer(s) to be removed.  FIG. 3  depicts the conventional PMR transducer  50  after step  16  has been performed. Thus, the conventional PMR pole  54 ′ has been formed. In addition, only a portion of the conventional CMP stop layer  56 ′ and conventional CMP support structure  53 ′ remain. 
     A conventional intermediate layer is provided, via step  18 . The conventional intermediate layer is typically aluminum oxide that is blanket deposited on the conventional PMR transducer  50 . A CMP is performed to completely remove the conventional hard mask  57 , via step  20 . The conventional CMP stop layer  56 ′ is also removed, via step  22 . Thus, the top surface is formed by portions of the intermediate layer and the conventional PMR pole. A write gap is deposited on the conventional PMR transducer and a shield is provided, via steps  24  and  26 , respectively. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a conventional PMR transducer  50  after completion. Thus, the intermediate layer  58 , write gap  60 , and trailing shield  62  are shown. Also shown is a notch  62  in the shield  60  due to the topology of the conventional PMR transducer  50 . 
     Although the conventional method  10  may provide the conventional PMR transducer  50 , there may be drawbacks. In particular, as the critical dimensions of structures in the conventional PMR transducer  50  shrink to accommodate higher densities, tighter control may be desired for the structures in the conventional PMR transducer  50 . Conventional methods, including the conventional method  10 , may not provide the desired control over at least some portions of the conventional PMR transducer  50 . 
     For example, some methods for forming the conventional PMR transducer  50  result in variations in the height of the notch  64 . In the conventional PMR transducer  50 , the notch  64  juts toward the conventional PMR pole  54 ′. However, in some cases, removal of the conventional hard mask  57  in step  20  removes a greater portion of the intermediate layer  58 .  FIG. 3  depicts a conventional PMR transducer  50 ′ in which this has occurred. The conventional PMR transducer  50 ′ is analogous to the conventional PMR transducer  50  and may be formed using the conventional method  10 . Thus, the conventional PMR transducer  50 ′ includes underlayer  52 ′, conventional CMP support structures  53 ″, conventional PMR pole  54 ″, intermediate layer  58 ′, write gap  60 ′, and shield  62 ′. Because a greater portion of the intermediate layer  58 ′ has been removed, the top surface of the intermediate layer  58 ′ is lower than the top of the conventional PMR pole  54 ″. Moreover, a portion of the PMR pole  54 ″ may be inadvertently removed. Thus, when the write gap  60 ′ and top shield  62 ′ are provided in steps  24  and  26 , the notch  64 ′ is in the opposite direction from the notch  64 . Consequently, the conventional method  10  might result in a notch  64 , no notch, or a notch  64 ′ in the reverse direction. Further, both the notch  64  and the notch  64 ′ are abrupt. The conventional method for fabricating the conventional PMR transducer  50  may thus have relatively large variations in the conventional PMR transducer  50 . Consequently, performance of the conventional PMR transducer  50 / 50 ′ may vary. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is an improved method for fabricating a PMR transducer. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer from pole layer(s) are disclosed. The method and system include providing a first planarization stop layer on the pole layer(s) and a second planarization stop layer on the first planarization stop layer. A mask is provided on the second planarization stop layer. A first portion of the mask resides on a portion of the pole layer(s) from which the PMR pole is formed. The method and system also include defining the PMR pole after the mask is provided. An intermediate layer surrounding at least the PMR pole is provided. The method and system further include performing a first planarization on at least the intermediate layer. At least a portion of the second planarization stop layer is removed during the first planarization. A remaining portion of the second planarization stop layer is also removed. A second planarization is performed. At least a portion of the first planarization stop layer remains after the second planarization is performed. The method and system further include providing a write gap on the PMR pole and providing a shield on the write gap. At least a portion of the write gap resides on the PMR pole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart depicting a conventional method for fabricating a PMR head. 
         FIGS. 2-4  are diagrams depicting a conventional PMR transducer during fabrication. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting another conventional PMR transducer during fabrication. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a PMR transducer. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting another embodiment of a method for fabricating a PMR head. 
         FIGS. 8-17  are diagrams depicting an exemplary embodiment of a perpendicular magnetic recording head during fabrication. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of a perpendicular magnetic recording head during fabrication. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a PMR transducer. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted. The PMR transducer being fabricated may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider (not shown). The method  100  also may commence after formation of other portions of the PMR transducer. The method  100  is also described in the context of providing a single PMR transducer. However, the method  100  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  100  is also described in the context of providing particular layers. However, in one embodiment, a layer may include one or more sub-layers. 
     The method  100  commences after formation of one or more PMR pole layers. Thus, a seed layer for the PMR pole as well as one or more layers making up the PMR pole may be provided prior to the method  100 . A first planarization stop layer is provided on the pole layer(s), via step  102 . In one embodiment, the first planarization stop layer includes at least one of Ru, Ta, and Ti. The thickness of the stop layer may be at least five nanometers. In one embodiment, the thickness of the first planarization stop layer is not more than twenty nanometers. In another embodiment, the thickness is not more than ten nanometers. The first planarization stop layer may be provided directly on the PMR pole layer(s). Alternatively, another layer may be interposed between the PMR pole layer(s) and the first planarization stop layer. For example, in one embodiment, the write gap, discussed below, may be provided before step  102 . In such an embodiment, the first planarization stop layer may be provided on the write gap layer. In one embodiment, no planarization support structures are used and the first planarization stop layer blanket deposited. In such an embodiment, therefore, the first planarization stop layer is substantially flat. 
     A second planarization stop layer is provided on the first planarization stop layer, via step  104 . Materials that might be used for the second planarization stop layer include diamond-like carbon (DLC) and/or SiC. In one embodiment, the thickness of the second planarization stop layer is at least thirty nanometers. In one embodiment, the thickness of the second planarization stop layer is not more than seventy nanometers. Thus, the second planarization stop layer may be significantly thicker than the first planarization stop layer. Like the first planarization stop layer, where no planarization support structures are used, the second planarization stop layer may be substantially flat. 
     The PMR pole is defined from the PMR pole layers, via step  106 . Step  106  typically includes providing a mask on the second planarization stop layer. In one embodiment, a hard mask is used. In another embodiment, another mask might be utilized. A first portion of the mask resides on a portion of the PMR pole layer(s) from which the PMR pole is formed. In one embodiment, another portion of the magnetic transducer distal from desired location of the PMR pole is also covered. For example, at least a portion of the field region(s) may be covered. The PMR pole may then be defined by removing a portion of the PMR pole layer(s). For example, an ion mill followed by a pole trim might be used. Such a removal step also removes exposed portions of the first and second planarization stop layers. An intermediate layer is also provided, via step  108 . The intermediate layer substantially surrounds the PMR pole. The intermediate layer also surrounds the first and second planarization stop layers in the region of the PMR pole. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer includes alumina. 
     A first planarization is performed on at least the intermediate layer, via step  110 . The second planarization stop layer is configured to acts as a stop layer for this first planarization. Consequently, at least a portion of the second planarization stop layer is removed during the first planarization. In one embodiment, a portion of the second planarization stop layer remains after the first planarization is terminated. In such an embodiment, a remaining portion of the second planarization stop layer is removed after termination of the planarization. For example, a reactive ion etch (RIE) may be performed to remove DLC used as the second planarization stop layer. In another embodiment, the second planarization stop layer may be completely removed. The first planarization may be a chemical mechanical planarization. Furthermore, the first planarization is robust. For example, a CMP performed in step  110  may be performed at a pressure of at least three pounds per square inch (psi). 
     A second planarization is performed, via step  112 . At least a portion of the first planarization stop layer remains after the second planarization is performed. The second planarization is thus terminated while some portion of the first planarization stop layer still remains on the PMR transducer. In one embodiment, the second planarization is terminated when the first planarization stop layer has a thickness of at least three nanometers and not more than ten nanometers. In one embodiment, the second planarization is a CMP. The second planarization is also significantly more gentle than the first CMP. For example, the second planarization may be performed at a pressure of not more than three psi. The pressure may also be at least one psi. In one such embodiment, the pressure is at least one and not more than one and one-half psi. Similarly, the second planarization may be performed with a less abrasive slurry than the first planarization. For example, the first planarization might be performed with a first slurry. The second planarization performed in step  112  may utilize a second slurry. This second slurry could be a dilution of the first slurry. For example, the concentration of the first slurry could be diluted by a factor of at least a 1:5 dilution. Thus, a 1:5 dilution might be used. In another embodiment, the concentration may be further diluted. In one embodiment, the first slurry would be diluted by a factor of not more than 1:30. Because the second planarization performed in step  112  is gentler than the first planarization of step  110 , the removal rates differ. For example, the first planarization may have a first removal rate for removing the intermediate layer. The second planarization has a second removal rate that is less than the first removal rate. In one embodiment, the second removal rate is not more than ⅕ of the first removal rate. Thus, the second planarization would remove the intermediate layer five times more slowly than the first planarization. In one embodiment, the second removal rate is not less than 1/30 of the first removal rate. 
     A write gap on the PMR pole, via step  114 . At least a portion of the write gap resides on the PMR pole. In one embodiment, step  114  may be performed prior to step  102 . Thus, the write gap would reside directly on the PMR pole. The first planarization stop layer would reside on the write gap. In such an embodiment, portions of the layer forming the write gap would be removed, for example in step  106 . In such an embodiment, the write gap would have edges substantially at the tops of the sidewalls of the PMR pole. However, in an embodiment in step  14  is performed after the planarizations of steps  110  and  112 . In such an embodiment, the write gap may extend beyond the edges of the PMR pole. A shield is provided on the write gap, via step  116 . 
     Using the method  100 , a PMR transducer may be fabricated. Because two planarizations having different characteristics and utilizing two different stop layers are performed, the amount of the intermediate layer removed is better controlled. For example, it has been determined that use of conventional CMP support structures result in an uneven surface for the conventional CMP stop layers used. As a result, the CMP performed in the conventional method  10  may be inconsistent. In contrast, the method  100  need not utilize CMP support structures. Instead, the surfaces of the first and second planarization layers are substantially flat in the device region. This feature in combination with the use of multiple planarizations in steps  110  and  112  better controls the amount of the intermediate layer removed. As a result, the shield may have little or no notch. Stated differently, the size and presence of a notch in the shield may be controlled. Performance of the PMR transducer may thus be improved. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting another embodiment of a method  150  for fabricating a PMR head. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted or combined.  FIGS. 8-17  are diagrams depicting an exemplary embodiment of a PMR transducer  200  during fabrication. The PMR transducer  200  may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider (not shown). The method  150  also may commence after formation of other portions of the PMR transducer  200 . The method  150  is also described in the context of providing a single PMR transducer. However, the method  150  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  100  is also described in the context of providing particular layers. However, in one embodiment, a layer may include one or more sub-layers. 
     A first CMP stop layer is provided on the pole layer(s), via step  152 . Step  152  is analogous to step  102  of the method  100  depicted in  FIG. 6 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7-17 , in one embodiment, the first planarization stop layer includes at least one of Ru, Ta, and Ti. A second CMP stop layer is provided on the first CMP stop layer, via step  154 . Step  154  is analogous to step  104  of the method  100  of  FIG. 6 . Referring back to  FIGS. 7-17 , materials that might be used for the second planarization stop layer include DLC and/or SiC. 
       FIG. 8  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  104  is performed. Consequently, an underlayer  202  and PMR pole layers  204  are shown. The PMR pole layer(s)  204  may include seed layers as well as one or more layers used to form the PMR pole itself. The first CMP stop layer  206  and second CMP stop layer  208  are also shown. The first CMP stop layer  206  may be at least five nanometers thick. In one embodiment, the thickness of the first CMP stop layer  206  is not more than twenty nanometers. In another embodiment, the first CMP stop layer  206  is not more than ten nanometers thick. In one embodiment, the thickness of the second CMP stop layer  208  is at least thirty nanometers. In one embodiment, the second CMP stop layer  208  is not more than seventy nanometers thick. Thus, the second CMP stop layer  208  may be significantly thicker than the first CMP stop layer  206 . In the embodiment shown, the first CMP stop layer  206  is provided directly on the PMR pole layer(s)  204 . Alternatively, another layer may reside between the PMR pole layer(s)  204  and the first CMP stop layer  206 . For example, in one embodiment, the write gap, discussed below, may be provided before step  152 . In such an embodiment, the first CMP stop layer  206  may be provided on the write gap layer. In one embodiment, no CMP support structures are used. The first CMP stop layer  206  is, therefore, substantially flat. Like the first planarization stop layer, where no CMP support structures are used, the second CMP stop layer  208  may be substantially flat. 
     A mask is provided on the second CMP stop layer  208 , via step  156 . A portion of the mask covers the pole region. Thus, this portion of the mask resides on a portion of the pole layer(s) from which the PMR pole is formed. In one embodiment, the mask is a hard mask.  FIG. 9  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  156  is performed. Thus, a hard mask  210  including apertures  212  has been provided. In addition to covering the pole region, portions of the hard mask  210  cover regions  211  distal from the pole region. In one embodiment, the regions  211  include at least a part of the field regions. For example, in one embodiment, the apertures  212  may be on the order of three to five microns or more wide. 
     The PMR pole is defined using the hard mask  210 , via step  158 . In one embodiment, step  158  includes performing an ion mill as well as a pole trim.  FIG. 10  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  158  is performed. Thus, the PMR pole  220  has been formed from pole layers  204 . In addition, portions  204 ′ of the pole layer  204  remain distal from the PMR pole  220 . In addition, exposed portions of the first CMP stop layer  206  and the second CMP stop layer  208  are removed. Consequently, remaining portions  206 ′ and  208 ′ of the CMP stop layers remain. In addition, the exposed portion of the underlayer  202  may be removed in step  158 . However, for simplicity, the underlayer  202  is depicted as unchanged by step  158  in  FIGS. 10-18 . 
     The remaining portions of the hard mask  210 ′ distal to the PMR pole  220  are removed, via step  160 . In one embodiment, a field etch is performed in step  160 . An intermediate layer is provided on the PMR pole, via step  162 . In one embodiment, step  162  includes depositing a layer of alumina.  FIG. 11  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  162  is performed. Because of the field etch, remaining portions of the hard mask  210 ′ in the field have been removed. However, a portion of the hard mask  210 ′ remains above the PMR pole  220 . The intermediate layer  222  has also been provided. The intermediate layer  22  substantially surrounds at least the PMR pole  220 . As can be seen, in  FIG. 11 , there are variations in the top surface of the intermediate layer  220 . 
     A first CMP is performed, via step  164 . The first CMP is performed on at least the intermediate layer  220 . The second CMP stop layer  208 ′ is configured to acts as a stop layer for this first CMP. Consequently, although a portion of the second CMP stop layer  208 ′ is removed during the first CMP, a portion of the second CMP stop layer  208 ′ may remain. Furthermore, the first planarization is robust. For example, the CMP performed in step  164  may be performed at a pressure of at least three psi.  FIG. 12  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  164  is performed. A portion of the intermediate layer  222  and second CMP stop layer  208 ′ have been removed. Thus, intermediate layer  222 ′ and portions of the second CMP stop layer  208 ″ remain. Because the portions of the second stop layer  208 ″ are formed from a single layer that is substantially flat, the top surface of the PMR transducer is substantially flat after step  164  is performed. In other words, the top surfaces of the intermediate layer  222 ′ and portions  208 ″ of the second CMP stop layer are at substantially the same height. 
     The remaining portions  208 ″ of the second CMP stop layer is removed, via step  166 . In one embodiment, step  166  includes performing a RIE, for example to remove DLC.  FIG. 13  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  166  is performed. Thus, the first CMP stop layer  206 ′ has been exposed. However, because the intermediate layer  222 ′ is not substantially removed during step  166 , the top surface of the intermediate layer  222  may be higher than the top surface of the first CMP stop layer  206 ′. However, the difference in the heights may be small, on the order of the thickness of the remaining portion of the second CMP stop layer  208 ″. 
     A second CMP is performed, via step  168 . The second CMP may be significantly gentler than the first CMP. For example, the second CMP may be performed at a pressure of not more than three psi. The pressure may also be at least one psi and not more than one and one-half psi. Similarly, the second CMP may be performed with a less abrasive slurry than the first CMP. For example, the second CMP may be performed with a dilute slurry as described above for step  112 . In one embodiment, the first slurry used for the first CMP would be diluted by a factor of at least 1:5 and not more than 1:30 to form the second slurry used in the second CMP. Because the second CMP of step  168  is more gentle than the first planarization of step  164 , the removal rates differ. For example, the first CMP may have a first removal rate for removing the intermediate layer. The second CMP has a second removal rate that is less than the first removal rate. In one embodiment, the second removal rate is not more than ⅕ of the first removal rate. In one embodiment, the second removal rate is not less than 1/30 of the first removal rate.  FIG. 14  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  168  is performed. The top surface of the intermediate layer  222 ″ is thus at the same level as the remaining portions  206 ″ of the first CMP stop layer. A portion of the first CMP stop layer  208 ′ has been removed. At least a portion  208 ″ of the first CMP stop layer remains after the second CMP is performed. The second CMP is thus terminated while some portion  208 ″ of the first CMP stop layer still remains on the PMR transducer. In one embodiment, the second CMP is terminated when the first CMP stop layer  208 ″ has a thickness of at least three nanometers and not more than ten nanometers. 
     The remaining portions  204 ′ of the pole layer(s) are removed, via step  170 . In one embodiment, step  170  includes masking the device region of the PMR transducer and performing a mill.  FIG. 15  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after the portions  204 ′ are removed. Consequently, a mask  224  used in removing the pole layer(s)  204 ′ is depicted. In one embodiment, the mask  224  is a resist mask. As a result of the removal, a portion of the underlayer  202  may have been removed. Consequently, the underlayer  202 ′ remains. Also in step  170 , these portions are refilled, for example using alumina. In addition, the mask  224  may be removed as part of step  170 .  FIG. 16  depicts the PMR transducer  200  after step  170  is completed. Thus, a refill  226  has been provided. In addition, the top surface of the remaining portion  206 ″ of the first CMP stop and the top surface of the intermediate layer  222 ″ are exposed. 
     A write gap is provided on the PMR pole, via step  172 . In one embodiment, the write gap is blanket deposited. In one embodiment, the write gap is provided after step  170 . Such an embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 17 . Thus, the write gap  228  is shown as residing on both the intermediate layers and the PMR pole  220 . In addition, the write gap is shown as extending further than the edges of the PMR pole  220 . However, in another embodiment, the write gap  228  may cover a smaller portion of the PMR transducer  200 . For example, in one embodiment, the write gap may be provided after step  168  and before step  170 . In such an embodiment, the write gap may be blanket deposited. However, in step  170 , the portion of the write gap exposed by the mask  224  may be removed. 
     A shield is provided on the write gap, via step  174 . In one embodiment, in which step  172  is performed after step  168 , the shield would reside on the write gap  228 . Such an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 17 . In the pole region, the write gap  228  and the shield  230  are substantially flat. In addition, the shield  230  resides directly on the write gap  228 . Near the PMR pole  220 , in the pole or device regions, the bottoms of the shield  230  and write gap  228  are substantially flat. However, distal from the pole, the bottom surfaces of the shield  228  and write gap  228  may bow toward the underlayer  202 ′. In particular, portions of the shield  230  distal from the PMR pole  220  may be closer to the bottom of the underlayer  202 ′ than portions of the shield  230  near the PMR pole  220 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 17 , the write gap  228  is provided after the first CMP stop layer  206 ″. However, in another embodiment, the write gap may be provided earlier.  FIG. 18  is a diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of a PMR transducer  200 ′ during fabrication. The PMR transducer  200 ′ is analogous to the PMR transducer  200 . Consequently, similar structures have analogous labels. The PMR transducer thus includes an underlayer  202 ″, intermediate layer  222 ′″, refill  226 ′, PMR pole  220 ′, gap  228 ′, first CMP stop layer  206 ′″ and shield  230 ′. Because the write gap  228 ′ is provided as a layer before the first CMP stop layer  206 , portions (not shown) of the write gap  228 ′ not covered by the hard mask  210 ′ may be removed. In addition, portions (not shown) of the write gap  228  may be removed in step  170 . Thus, in the embodiment shown, only the portion of the write gap  228 ′ directly above the PMR pole  220 ′ remains. In addition, portions of the shield  230 ′ distal from the PMR pole  220 ′ may still be closer to the bottom of the underlayer  202 ″ than portions of the shield  230 ′ near the PMR pole  220 ′. 
     Using the method  150 , the PMR transducer  200  and/or  200 ′ may be fabricated. Because two planarizations having different characteristics and utilizing two different stop layers  206  and  208  are performed, the amount of the intermediate layer  222  removed is better controlled. As a result, the shield  230 ′ may have little or no notch. Stated differently, the size and presence of a notch in the shield may be controlled. Performance of the PMR transducer  200  may thus be improved.