Patent ID: 8146236

Claim:
A method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer including a PMR pole formed from at least one pole layer, the method comprising; providing a first planarization stop layer on the at least one pole layer; providing a second planarization stop layer on the first planarization stop layer; providing a mask on the second planarization stop layer, a first portion of the mask residing on a portion of the at least one pole layer from which the PMR pole is formed; defining the PMR pole after the mask is provided; providing an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer surrounding at least the PMR pole; performing a first planarization on at least the intermediate layer, at least a portion of the second planarization stop layer being removed during the first planarization; removing a remaining portion of the second planarization stop layer; performing a second planarization, at least a portion of the first planarization stop layer remaining after the second planarization is performed; providing a write gap, at least a portion of the write gap residing on the PMR pole; and providing a shield on the write gap.