Patent ID: 7569131

Claim:
A method including multi-layer electrodeposition of a pole tip in a single bath, comprising: in a first single bath electrodeposition process: immersing a substrate in a bath, the substrate having thereon first and second shield layers sandwiching a magnetoresistive sensor, and a first pole layer above the second shield layer; applying a first current of a first current density to the substrate for electrodepositing a first layer of a first pole tip on the first pole layer; toggling the first current between first high and low values at least twice at first intervals; agitating the bath near the substrate at a first rate of agitation; applying a second current of a second current density to the substrate for electrodepositing a second layer of the first pole tip on the substrate above the first layer of the first pole tip, the second layer being of a different composition than the first layer, wherein the second layer of the first pole tip has a higher magnetic moment than the first layer of the first pole tip; toggling the second current between second high and low values at least twice at second intervals; agitating the bath near the substrate at a second rate of agitation different than the first rate of agitation; forming a write gap layer above the second layer of the pole tip; in a second single bath electrodeposition process: applying a third current of a third current density to the substrate for electrodepositing a second layer of a second pole tip above the write gap layer; toggling the third current between third high and low values at least twice at third intervals; agitating the bath near the substrate at a third rate of agitation; applying a fourth current of a fourth current density to the substrate for electrodepositing a first layer of the second pole tip above the second layer of the second pole tip, the second layer of the second pole tip being of a different composition than the first layer of the second pole tip, wherein the second layer of the second pole tip has a higher magnetic moment than the first layer of the second pole tip; toggling the fourth current between fourth high and low values at least twice at fourth intervals; and agitating the bath near the substrate at a fourth rate of agitation; and forming a second pole layer above the second pole tip, wherein the first and second layers of the first and second pole tips include nickel and iron, wherein the first and second layers of the first pole tip are not coextensive with the first pole layer, and wherein the first and second layers of the second pole tip are not coextensive with the second pole layer.