THIN-FILM MAGNETIC RECORDING HEADS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

摘要

In one embodiment, the invention is understood as a focused particle beam system (10) that includes a pattern recognition element (54) and that employs the pattern recognition element to image and analyze the pole-tip assembly (100) footprint (114A, 114B, 114C) of a recording head and that employs a processor (52) to generate instruction signals that direct a focused particle beam (20) to remove selected portions of the recording head (30) and thereby shape the pole-tip assembly of the recording head. The focused particle beam system provides a precision milling device that can employ the coordinate information to mill selectively the recording head and thereby shape the geometry of the pole-tip assembly footrint, including geometries that have contoured surfaces.