Patent ID: 7950137

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head, comprising: providing a substrate; depositing a layer of alumina over the substrate forming a mask structure over the layer of alumina, the mask structure including a reactive ion etching mask (RIE mask) that is resistant to removal by reactive ion etching formed over the layer of alumina and a resist mask formed above the RIE mask; performing a material removal processes to remove portions of the alumina layer that are not protected by the mask structure; depositing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) stop layer that is resistant to chemical mechanical polishing; depositing a magnetic material; and performing a chemical mechanical polishing process until the CMP stop layer has been reached; wherein the mask structure is patterned to have an opening that defines a structure having a write pole portion and first and second side shield portions, the side shield portions being connected with the write pole portion in a region in front of an intended air bearing surface plane and being disconnected from the write pole portion in a region behind the air bearing surface plane.