Method of making a write head with self-aligned pedestal shaped pole tips that are separated by a zero throat height defining layer

摘要

A merged magnetic head has a top first pole tip layer and a bottom second pole tip layer which are located entirely between an air bearing surface and a coil layer. A write gap layer separates the pole tip layers from one another at the ABS. A zero throat height (ZTH) defining layer is located adjacent the top gap layer between the pole tip layers and is recessed from the ABS so as to further separate the pole tip layers from one another at a location recessed from the ABS so as to define the zero throat height of the write head where the first and second pole pieces first commence to separate from one another after the ABS. A method of construction, which may be substantially a dry process or substantially a wet process, employs ion milling to form the shapes of the pole tip layers while protecting a bottom first pole piece layer from thinning except for notching of the bottom first pole piece layer adjacent side walls of the top first pole tip layer, the protection being provided by the ZTH defining layer in field regions of the head.