Patent ID: 8547661

Claim:
A self-aligned microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising: a substrate on which is a main pole (MP) having first inwardly sloping sidewalls; on, and in contact with, said MP, a spin torque oscillator (STO) having second inwardly sloping sidewalls; said STO extending away from said ABS for a distance; said STO and said MP being in perfect alignment with one another, their respective sidewalls abutting one another in a linearly continuous manner, whereby both said MP and said STO do not have an exposed surface that is neither a sidewall nor part of the ABS; over said MP, a trailing shield (TS) having a lower surface, part of which contacts said STO; and filler material located between said substrate and said TS on both sides of said MP and STO.