Patent ID: 7275306

Claim:
A damascene method for use in forming a magnetic head, comprising: forming a hard mask layer over an insulator layer; forming a photoresist layer over the hard mask layer; performing an image patterning process with the photoresist layer for producing a patterned photoresist having a write coil pattern; etching to remove portions of the hard mask layer in accordance with the patterned photoresist for producing a patterned hard mask having the write coil pattern; etching to remove portions of the insulator layer in accordance with the patterned hard mask for producing a patterned insulator having the write coil pattern, and to remove the patterned photoresist; etching to remove the patterned hard mask; after removing the patterned hard mask, electroplating an electrically conductive material within the patterned insulator having the write coil pattern, for producing a plurality of write coil layers of a write coil of the magnetic head; and performing a planarization process over the electrically conductive material.