Patent ID: 8277669

Claim:
A method for fabricating a pole of a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) location, the method comprising: providing a leading shield layer; providing a planarization stop layer on the leading shield layer; removing a portion of the planarization stop layer distal from the ABS location to form an aperture therein and a portion of the leading shield layer distal from the ABS location to form a depression therein, the depression forming a bevel distal from the ABS location, the bevel being at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees from a direction perpendicular to the ABS location; providing an intermediate layer having a top surface substantially perpendicular to the ABS location and covering at least the depression in the leading shield layer; removing a portion of the intermediate layer to form a trench therein, the trench having a bottom corresponding to the leading shield and a location and a profile corresponding to the pole, the bottom of the trench having a sloped surface corresponding to the bevel; providing a nonmagnetic layer, at least a portion of the nonmagnetic layer residing in the trench; providing the pole in the trench, the pole residing on the portion of the nonmagnetic layer and having a leading edge bevel corresponding to the bevel; providing a capping layer covering the pole; removing at least a portion of the intermediate layer; and providing a wrap-around shield.