Magnetic writer having a gradient in saturation magnetization of the shields

Description

BACKGROUND

FIGS. 1A and 1B air-bearing surface (ABS) and plan views, respectively, of a conventional magnetic recording transducer 10. The magnetic recording transducer 10 may be a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head. The conventional transducer 10 includes an underlayer 12 that may include a leading shield, side gap 14, side shields 16, top gap 17, a top (or trailing) shield 18 and main pole 20.

The main pole 20 resides on an underlayer 12 and includes sidewalls 22 and 24. The sidewalls 22 and 24 of the conventional main pole 20 form an angle with the down track direction at the ABS. The side shields 16 are separated from the main pole 20 by a side gap 14. The side shields 16 extend at least from the top of the main pole 20 to the bottom of the main pole 20. The side shields 16 also extend a distance back from the ABS. The gap 14 between the side shields 16 and the main pole 20 may have a substantially constant thickness. Thus, the side shields 16 are conformal with the main pole 20.

Although the conventional magnetic recording head 10 functions, there are drawbacks. In particular, the conventional magnetic recording head 10 may not perform sufficiently at higher recording densities or for some recording schemes. Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for improving the performance of a magnetic recording head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B depict ABS and plan views of a conventional magnetic recording head.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D depict side, ABS, plan and close-up side views of portions of an exemplary embodiment of a magnetic recording disk drive with side shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with side shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with side shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with side shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with side shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with a leading shield having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with a trailing shield having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with leading and trailing shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization.

FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a gradient in side shield saturation magnetization.

FIG. 11 depicts a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a gradient in side shield saturation magnetization.

FIGS. 12-19 depict another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording transducer with side shields having a gradient in saturation magnetization during fabrication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The trend in magnetic recording is to higher densities. For such higher recording densities, a full wrap around shield may be used. For example, the trailing shield 18, side shields 16 and a leading shield in the underlayer 12 may be used in the transducer 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. The trailing shield 18 may have a high saturation magnetization of approximately 2.3 T. The high saturation magnetization may be desired to provide the desired field gradient. The leading shield of the underlayer 12 may have a low saturation magnetization on the order of 1 T. The low saturation magnetization of the leading shield may aid in balancing on and off track performance. The side shield 16 has a higher saturation magnetization of approximately 2 T.

In some cases, different writing schemes are used to facilitate higher density recording. For example, a shingle recording scheme may be desired to be used at higher areal densities. In shingle recording, successive tracks partially overwrite previously written tracks in one direction only. Part of the overwritten tracks, such as their edges, are preserved as the recorded data. In shingle recording, a higher side shield saturation magnetization may be desired.

It has been determined that there may be issues in high density recording for the configurations and writing schemes described above. For the full wraparound shield described above, a mismatch between the saturation magnetizations of the side shield 16 and the trailing shield 18 may result in flux leakage at the interface between the side shield 16 and the trailing shield 18. This flux leakage may result in wide area track erasure (WATER) issues. For shingle recording, the higher saturation magnetization side shield may shunt flux from the main pole 20. Writing may thus be degraded. In addition, switching of the main pole 20 is a dynamic process. This switching may perturb the domain structure of the side shields 16 and result in magnetic poles in the side shields 16 at the ABS and motions of domain walls with in the side shield 16. These also result in WATER issues. Consequently, it has been determined that there are unaddressed issues in recording at higher areal densities.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D depict various views of an exemplary embodiment of a data storage device, such as a disk drive. FIG. 2A depicts a side view of the disk drive including a magnetic write apparatus 100 that is termed a magnetic transducer. FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D depict ABS, plan and side views of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100. For clarity, FIGS. 2A-2D are not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive and transducer 100 are shown. In addition, although the disk drive and transducer 100 are depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR).

The disk drive includes a media 102 and a slider 104 on which the transducer 100 has been fabricated. Although not shown, the slider 104 and thus the transducer 100 are generally attached to a suspension. In general, the slider 104 includes the write transducer 100 and a read transducer (not shown). However, for clarity, only the write transducer 100 is shown.

The transducer 100 includes an underlayer 106, a gap 108, a main pole 110, coil(s) 120, side shields 130 and optional trailing shield 140. The underlayer 106 may include a bottom (or leading) shield. The coil(s) 120 are used to energize the main pole 110. Two turns are depicted in FIG. 2A. Another number of turns may, however, be used. Note that only a portion of the coil(s) 120 may be shown in FIG. 2A. If, for example, the coil(s) 120 is a spiral, or pancake, coil, then additional portions of the coil(s) 120 may be located further from the ABS. Further, additional coils may also be used.

The main pole 110 is shown as having a top wider than the bottom. The main pole 110 thus includes sidewalls having sidewall angles that are greater than or equal to zero. In an embodiment, these sidewall angles differ at different distances from the ABS. In other embodiments, other geometries may be used. For example, the top may be the same size as or smaller than the bottom. The sidewall angles may vary in another manner. The main pole 110 is depicted as having a trapezoidal shape including a flat bottom. In other embodiment, the main pole 110 may have another shape. In some embodiments, the main pole 110 may have leading surface bevel and/or a trailing surface bevel. Thus, the main pole 110 may be shorter in the down track direction at the ABS than at location(s) recessed from the ABS.

The gap layer 108 may include one or more sublayers as well as a seed layer. Further, although depicted as a single gap surrounding the main pole 110, the gap 108 may include separate side gaps (between the mail pole 110 and side shields 130) and write gap (between the main pole 110 and trailing shield 140). In addition, although depicted as symmetric, the gap 108 may be asymmetric. For example, the gap between a side of the main pole 110 and one side shield may be wider than the gap between the opposite side of the main pole 110 and the other side shield.

The transducer 100 also includes side shields 130. The side shields 130 may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield 140 and leading shield of the underlayer 106. In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields 130 may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield 140 and/or the leading shield of the underlayer 106. The side shields 130 are also depicted as symmetric in the cross track direction. In other embodiments, asymmetries in the cross track direction may be present.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D, at least one of the side shields 130, the leading shield 106 and the trailing shield 140 has a gradient in saturation magnetization (B_s) such that the saturation magnetization increases in a yoke direction perpendicular to the ABS. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization increase monotonically with distance from the ABS. In other words, the B_s increases, without any decreases, with distance from the ABS. This increase may be linear, step-wise, or described in another manner. In other embodiments, the increase in saturation magnetization need not be monotonic and/or need not be described by a well-known function. Thus, in some embodiments, the saturation magnetization of portions of the side shields 130 recessed from the ABS is greater than the saturation magnetization of portions of the side shields 130 at the ABS. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization of portions of the leading shield 106 recessed from the ABS is greater than the saturation magnetization of portions of the leading shield 106 at the ABS. Similarly, in some embodiments, the saturation magnetization of portions of the trailing shield 140 recessed from the ABS is greater than the saturation magnetization of portions of the trailing shield 140 at the ABS. Thus, one, two or all of the shields 106, 130 and 140 have a saturation magnetization that increases with increasing distance from the ABS.

The gradient in saturation magnetization may be achieved in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the concentration of various constituents in the alloy(s) of the side shields 130, leading shield 106 and/or trailing shield 140 may be varied such that B_s increases with increases distance from the ABS in the yoke direction. In other embodiments, regions of different saturation magnetizations may be provided. For example, a layer closest to and including the ABS may be an alloy having one saturation magnetization. The next layer in the yoke direction may be another alloy having a higher B_s, and so on. For example, in some embodiments, the saturation magnetization of the side shields 130 at the ABS may be at least 1 T and not more than 2 T. In some such embodiments, the B_s is not more than 1.6 T. In other embodiments, B_s at the ABS is at least 1 T and not more than 1.2 T. Further from the ABS, the saturation magnetization is greater. For example, B_s may be greater than 2 T some distance from the ABS. In some embodiments, B_s is at least 2.3 T at the back surface of the side shields 130 furthest from the ABS. The leading shield 106 and trailing shield 140 may be similarly configured. In other embodiments, the variations in the saturation magnetization of the leading shield 106 and/or trailing shield 140 may differ from that of the side shields 130. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetizations of the shields 106, 130 and 140 may match throughout the shields. In other cases, the saturation magnetizations of the shields 106, 130 and 140 may be different in all locations. In still other embodiments, the saturation magnetizations of the shields 106, 130 and 140 may be the same in some locations, but different in other locations. For example, the trailing shield 140 may have a saturation magnetization of at least 2 T at the ABS and at least 2.3 T some distance from the ABS. The side shields 130 might have a saturation magnetization of 1-1.2 T at the ABS and 2.3 T further from the ABS. The interfaces between the regions of different saturation magnetization may be at some angle less than ninety degrees from the ABS. In some such embodiments, the layers having different saturation magnetizations have interfaces that are parallel to the ABS. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization is constant in planes parallel to the ABS. For example, the B_s does not vary in the down track and/or cross track directions for a plane parallel to the ABS. In other embodiments, B_s may vary along the down track and/or cross track direction.

Performance of the transducer 100 and disk drive may be improved by the side shields 130 having a gradient in the saturation magnetization. Because portion(s) of the side shields 130 closest to the ABS has a lower magnetic moment, flux shunting may be reduced. However, portion(s) the side shields 130 further from the ABS have a higher saturation magnetization. Similar benefits might be achieved by configuring the leading shield 106 and/or the trailing shield 140 with a gradient in saturation magnetization such that the saturation magnetization increases in the yoke direction. Consequently, the gradient in the field from the pole may be improved. This increase may be particularly relevant for shingle recording. The increased saturation magnetization of portion(s) of the side shields 130 recessed from the main pole 110 may be less affected by the dynamic nature of switching of the main pole 110. The reduced saturation magnetization of the shields 106, 130 and/or 140 allows the shields 106, 130 and/or 140, respectively, to be less affected the return field from the media 102. These feature may help address WATER and other issues. Thus, performance of the transducer 100 may be improved.

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100′. For clarity, FIG. 3 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100′ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100′ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100′ is analogous to the transducer 100, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100′ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields 130′ that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130, respectively.

The side shields 130′ may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield (not shown in FIG. 3) and leading shield (not shown in FIG. 3) of the underlayer (not shown in FIG. 3). In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields 130′ may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield and/or the leading shield of the underlayer. The side shields 130′ and side gap 108 are also depicted as symmetric in the cross track direction. In other embodiments, asymmetries in the cross track direction may be present.

The side shields 130′ have a gradient in B_s in the yoke direction. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by including regions 132 and 134 in the side shields 130′. The first side shield region 132 occupies a portion of the ABS and is between the ABS and the second side shield region 134. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization, B1, of the first region 132 at the ABS may be at least 1 T and not more than 2 T. In some such embodiments, the B1 for the region 132 is not more than 1.6 T. In other embodiments, B1 is at least 1 T and not more than 1.2 T. In the embodiment shown, the saturation magnetization for the region 132 is constant throughout the region. However, in other embodiments, the saturation magnetization may vary within the region 132. The region 132 may have a thickness in the yoke direction of at least twenty nanometers and not more than fifty nanometers. In some embodiments, the thickness of the region 132 in the yoke direction is at least twenty-five nanometers. In other embodiments, other thicknesses are possible. The thickness of the region 132 in the yoke direction may be sufficiently large that the region 132 is present after fabrication of the transducer, including lapping. Thus, as deposited, the region 132 is thicker than the tolerances for fabrication of the transducer 100. In some such embodiments, the region 132 is desired to be sufficiently thick that at least one domain wall may be accommodated. Thus, the region 132 is thicker than a domain wall plus the fabrication tolerances. However, other thicknesses may be possible.

The saturation magnetization (B2) of the second region 134 is larger than the saturation magnetization of the first region 132. In other words B2>B1. For example, B2 may be greater than 2 T. In some embodiments, B2 is at least 2.3 T at the back surface of the side shields 130 furthest from the ABS. The interfaces between the regions 132 and 134 may be at some angle less than ninety degrees from the ABS. In the embodiment shown, theses interfaces are substantially parallel to the ABS. In some embodiments, B2 does not vary in the region 134. In other embodiments, B2 may vary within the region 134. The thickness of the region 134 may be at least fifty nanometers and not more than eighty nanometers. In other embodiments, other thicknesses are possible.

Performance of the transducer 100′ and disk drive may be improved by the side shields 130′. Because the region 132 closest to the ABS has a lower saturation magnetization than the region 134, flux shunting may be reduced. However, the region 134 of the side shields 130′ has a higher saturation magnetization. Consequently, the gradient in the field from the pole may be improved. This increase may be particularly relevant for shingle recording. The increased saturation magnetization of portion(s) of the side shields recessed from the ABS may be less affected by the dynamic nature of switching of the main pole. In addition, the reduced saturation magnetization of the region 132 at the ABS allow the shield 130 to be less affected the return field from the media. These features may help address WATER and other issues. Thus, performance of the transducer 100′ may be improved.

FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100″. For clarity, FIG. 4 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100″ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100″ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100″ is analogous to the transducer(s) 100 and 100′, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100″ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields 130″ that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130/130′, respectively.

The side shields 130″ may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield (not shown in FIG. 4) and leading shield (not shown in FIG. 4) of the underlayer (not shown in FIG. 4). In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields 130″ may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield and/or the leading shield of the underlayer. The side shields 130″ and side gap 108 are also depicted as symmetric in the cross track direction. In other embodiments, asymmetries in the cross track direction may be present.

The side shields 130″ have a gradient in B_s in the yoke direction. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by including regions 132′, 134′ and 136 in the side shields 130″. The regions 132′ and 134′ are analogous to the regions 132 and 134, respectively, shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the regions 132′ and 134′ have saturation magnetizations B1 and B2, respectively, such that B2>B1. The magnitudes of the saturation magnetizations of the saturation magnetizations of the regions 132′ and 134′ are analogous to those discussed above for regions 132 and 134. For example, B1 may be at least 1 T and not more than 2 T. In some such embodiments, the B1 for the region 132 is not more than 1.6 T. In other embodiments, B1 is at least 1 T and not more than 1.2 T. B2 is greater than 2 T and, in some embodiments is 2.3 T. In the embodiment shown, B1 and/or B2 may be constant throughout the regions 132′ and 134′, respectively. However, in other embodiments, the saturation magnetization may vary within the regions 132′ and 134′.

The side shields 130″ also include an intermediate region 136. The saturation magnetization of the region 136, B3, is greater than B1. Thus, the gradient in the saturation magnetization of the side shields 130″ is such that the saturation magnetization increases in the yoke direction. In some embodiments, B3<B2. In such an embodiment, the saturation magnetization of the side shields 130″ monotonically increases in the yoke direction. In an alternate embodiment, B3 may be greater than B2. In some embodiments, B3 does not vary in the region 136. In other embodiments, B3 may vary within the region 136. The interfaces between the regions 132 and 136 and between the regions 136 and 134 may be at some angle less than ninety degrees from the ABS. In the embodiment shown, theses interfaces are substantially parallel to the ABS.

Performance of the transducer 100″ and disk drive may be improved by the side shields 130″. Because the region 132′ closest to the ABS has a lower saturation magnetization than the region 134′, flux shunting may be reduced. However, the regions 136 and 134′ of the side shields 130″ have higher saturation magnetizations. Consequently, the gradient in the field from the pole may be improved. This increase may be particularly relevant for shingle recording. The increased saturation magnetization of portion(s) of the side shields recessed from the main pole may be less affected by the dynamic nature of switching of the main pole. In addition, the reduced saturation magnetization of the side shields at the ABS allow the sides shield to be less affected the return field from the media. Thus, WATER and other issues may be addressed and performance of the transducer 100″ may be improved.

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100″. For clarity, FIG. 5 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100′″ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100′″ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100′″ is analogous to the transducer(s) 100, 100′ and 100″, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100′″ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields 130′″ that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130/130′/130″, respectively.

The side shields 130′″ may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield (not shown in FIG. 5) and leading shield (not shown in FIG. 5) of the underlayer (not shown in FIG. 5). In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields 130′″ may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield and/or the leading shield of the underlayer. The side shields 130′″ and side gap 108 are also depicted as symmetric in the cross track direction. In other embodiments, asymmetries in the cross track direction may be present.

The side shields 130′″ are essentially the same as the side shields 130′. The regions 132′ and 134′ have saturation magnetizations B1 and B2, respectively, such that B2>B1. However, the regions 132″ and 134″ are configured such that the interfaces between the regions 132″ and 134″ are not parallel to the ABS.

Performance of the transducer 100′″ and disk drive may be improved by the side shields 130′″. Because the region 132″ closest to the ABS has a lower saturation magnetization than the region 134″, flux shunting, field gradient, and WATER may be improved. Thus, performance of the transducer 100′″ may be improved.

FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100″″. For clarity, FIG. 6 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100″″ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100″″ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100″″ is analogous to the transducer(s) 100, 100′, 100″ and 100′″, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100″″ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields 130″″ that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130/130′/130″/130″, respectively.

The side shields 130″″ may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield (not shown in FIG. 6) and leading shield (not shown in FIG. 6) of the underlayer (not shown in FIG. 6). In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields 130″″ may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield and/or the leading shield of the underlayer. The side shields 130″″ and side gap 108 are also depicted as symmetric in the cross track direction. In other embodiments, asymmetries in the cross track direction may be present.

The saturation magnetization(s) of the side shields 130″″ may be configured in the same manner as the side shields 130, 130′, 130″ and/or 130″. Thus, the sides shields 130″″ have a gradient in the saturation magnetization such that the saturation magnetization increases in the yoke direction. However, as can be seen in FIG. 6, a portion of the side shields 130″″ are not conformal with the pole 110. In the transducer 100″″, a portion of the side shields 130″″ recessed from the ABS nonconformal to the pole 110. Thus, the side gap between the pole 110 and the shields 130″″ includes the side gap layer 108 and an additional region. In other embodiments, the portion of the side shields 130″″ closer to the ABS may be nonconformal.

Performance of the transducer 100″″ and disk drive may be improved by the side shields 130″″. Because the saturation magnetization increases further from the ABS, flux shunting, field gradient, and WATER may be improved. Thus, performance of the transducer 100″″ may be improved.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100′″″. For clarity, FIG. 7 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100′″″ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100′″″ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100′″″ is analogous to the transducer 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″ and/or 100″″, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100′″″ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields (not shown in FIG. 7) that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130, respectively. The side shields for the transducer 100′″″ may take the form of any of the side shields 130, 130′, 130″, 130′″ and/or 130″″. In other embodiments, the side shields for the transducer 100′″″ may not have a gradient in the saturation magnetization. The side shields may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield 140′ and/or the leading shield 106. In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield 140′ and/or the leading shield 106.

The trailing shield 140′ has a gradient in B_s in the yoke direction. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by including regions 142 and 144 in the trailing shield 140′. The first trailing shield region 142 occupies a portion of the ABS and is between the ABS and the second trailing shield region 144. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization, B3, of the first region 142 at the ABS may be at least 1 T and less than 2.3 T. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization of the region 142 matches that of the side shields and/or leading shield 106′. However, in other embodiment, the saturation magnetizations may differ. In the embodiment shown, the saturation magnetization for the region 142 is constant throughout the region. However, in other embodiments, the saturation magnetization may vary within the region 142. The region 142 may have a thickness in the yoke direction of at least twenty nanometers and not more than fifty nanometers. In some embodiments, the thickness of the region 142 in the yoke direction is at least twenty-five nanometers in thickness. In other embodiments, other thicknesses are possible. The thickness of the region 142 in the yoke direction may be sufficiently large that the region 142 is present after fabrication of the transducer, including lapping. Thus, as deposited, the region 142 is thicker than the tolerances for fabrication of the transducer 100′″″. In some such embodiments, the region 142 is desired to be sufficiently thick that at least one domain wall may be accommodated. Thus, the region 142 is thicker than a domain wall plus the fabrication tolerances. However, other thicknesses may be possible.

The saturation magnetization (B4) of the second region 144 is larger than the saturation magnetization of the first region 142. In other words B4>B3. For example, B4 may be greater than 2 T. In some embodiments, B4 is at least 2.3 T at the back surface of the trailing shield 140′ furthest from the ABS. The interfaces between the regions 142 and 144 may be at some angle less than ninety degrees from the ABS. In the embodiment shown, theses interfaces are substantially parallel to the ABS. In other embodiments, other angles are possible. In some embodiments, B4 does not vary in the region 144. In other embodiments, B4 may vary within the region 144. The thickness of the region 144 may be at least fifty nanometers and not more than eighty nanometers. In other embodiments, other thicknesses are possible. Performance of the transducer 100′″″ and disk drive may be improved by the trailing shield 140′ for similar reasons as discussed above for the side shields.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100″″″. For clarity, FIG. 8 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100″″″ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100″″″ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100″″″ is analogous to the transducer 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″, 100″″ and/or 100′″″, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100″″″ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields (not shown in FIG. 8) that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130, respectively. The side shields for the transducer 100″″″ may take the form of any of the side shields 130, 130′, 130″, 130′″ and/or 130″″. In other embodiments, the side shields for the transducer 100″″″ may not have a gradient in the saturation magnetization. The side shields may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield 140 and/or the leading shield 106′. In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield 140 and/or the leading shield 106′.

The leading shield 106′ has a gradient in B_s in the yoke direction. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by including regions 146 and 148 in the leading shield 106′. The first leading shield region 146 occupies a portion of the ABS and is between the ABS and the second leading shield region 148. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization, B5, of the first region 146 at the ABS may be at least 1 T and not more than 2 T. In some embodiments, the saturation magnetization of the region 106′ matches that of the side shields and/or trailing shield 140. However, in other embodiment, the saturation magnetizations may differ. In the embodiment shown, the saturation magnetization for the region 146 is constant throughout the region. However, in other embodiments, the saturation magnetization may vary within the region 146. The region 146 may have a thickness in the yoke direction of at least twenty nanometers and not more than fifty nanometers. In some embodiments, the thickness of the region 146 in the yoke direction is at least twenty-five nanometers in thickness. In other embodiments, other thicknesses are possible. The thickness of the region 146 in the yoke direction may be sufficiently large that the region 146 is present after fabrication of the transducer, including lapping. Thus, as deposited, the region 146 is thicker than the tolerances for fabrication of the transducer 100. In some such embodiments, the region 146 is desired to be sufficiently thick that at least one domain wall may be accommodated. Thus, the region 16 is thicker than a domain wall plus the fabrication tolerances. However, other thicknesses may be possible.

The saturation magnetization (B6) of the second region 18 is larger than the saturation magnetization of the first region 146. In other words B6>B5. For example, B6 may be greater than 2 T. In some embodiments, B6 is at least 2.3 T at the back surface of leading shield 106′ furthest from the ABS. The interfaces between the regions 146 and 148 may be at some angle less than ninety degrees from the ABS. In the embodiment shown, theses interfaces are substantially parallel to the ABS. In other embodiments, other angles are possible. In some embodiments, B6 does not vary in the region 148. In other embodiments, B6 may vary within the region 148. The thickness of the region 146 may be at least fifty nanometers and not more than eighty nanometers. In other embodiments, other thicknesses are possible. Performance of the transducer 100″″″ and disk drive may be improved by the leading shield 106′.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the magnetic recording apparatus, or transducer 100′″″″. For clarity, FIG. 9 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the transducer 100′″″″ are shown. In addition, although the transducer 100′″″″ is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive may be configured for other types of magnetic recording included but not limited to HAMR. Because the transducer 100′″″″ is analogous to the transducer 100, 100′, 100″, 100′″, 100″″, 100′″″ and/or 100″″″, similar components have similar labels. Thus, the transducer 100′″″″ includes a side gap 108, main pole 110 and side shields (not shown in FIG. 9) that are analogous to the side gap 108, the main pole 110 and the side shields 130, respectively. The side shields for the transducer 100 may take the form of any of the side shields 130, 130′, 130″, 130′″ and/or 130″″. In other embodiments, the side shields for the transducer 100″″″ may not have a gradient in the saturation magnetization. The side shields may be magnetically and, in some embodiments, physically connected with the trailing shield 140′ and/or the leading shield 106′. In such embodiments, a full wraparound shield is formed. In other embodiments, the side shields may be physically and/or magnetically disconnected from the trailing shield 140 and/or the leading shield 106″.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, both the leading shield 106′ and the trailing shield 140′ have a gradient in B_s in the yoke direction. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by including regions 146 and 148 in the leading shield 106′ and regions 142 and 144 in the trailing shield 140′. These regions may be configured in an analogous manner to the regions 142, 144, 146 and 148 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. Performance of the transducer 100′″″″ and disk drive may be improved by the leading shield 106′ and the trailing shield 140′.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 for providing a magnetic recording transducer or analogous data storage device. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, interleaved, performed in another order and/or combined. The method 200 may be used to fabricate multiple magnetic recording heads at substantially the same time. The method 200 is described in the context of the magnetic transducer 100. The method 200 may also be used to fabricate other magnetic recording transducers including but not limited to the transducers 100′, 100″, 100′″, 100″″, 100′″″, 100″″″ and/or 100′″″″. The method 200 is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method 200 also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording transducer. For example, the method 200 may start after the underlayer, optionally including a leading shield, has been formed.

The main pole 110 is formed, via step 202. In some embodiments, step 202 includes forming a trench in one or more nonmagnetic layers. For example, one or more reactive ion etches (RIEs) may form the trench. The trench has a shape and location that corresponds to the pole. In other embodiments the trench may be provided in the side shields. Magnetic material(s) for the pole are deposited. The transducer may then be planarized. A trailing edge bevel may optionally be formed on the trailing surface (top) of the main pole.

The side gap 108 is provided, via step 204. Step 204 may include depositing a Ru layer, for example via chemical vapor deposition, sputtering or another method. Additional layer(s) may also be provided. In some embodiments, step 204 is performed before step 202. Thus, the main pole 110 is provided on the side gap 108 in such embodiments.

The coil(s) 120 for the main pole are provided, via step 206. Step 206 may be interleaved with other steps of the method 200. For example, portions of the coil(s) 120 may be formed before the main pole 110 and side shields 130. The coil(s) formed may be helical coil(s) or spiral coils.

At least one of the leading shields 106/106′, the trailing shield 140/140′ and/or the side shields 130/130′/130′″/130′″/130″″ are provided, via step 208. Step 208 includes forming portions of the leading shield, side shields, and/or trailing shield such that the saturation magnetization increases the yoke direction. For example, plating of the leading shield 106, side shield(s) 130 and/or trialing shield 140 may commence at the ABS and proceed in the yoke direction (or vice versa). In such an embodiment, the stoichiometry of the shield(s) 106, 130 and/or 140 changes during plating. In another embodiment, portions of the shield regions may be covered by a mask, while other portion(s) are exposed for plating of the shield material. After the stripe is deposited, the mask may be removed. The masking and deposition steps may be repeated with different materials and/or materials with different stoichiometries provided in each deposition step. In such an embodiment, each deposition may provide a region having a particular saturation magnetization. The deposition steps are performed such that the saturation magnetization increases in the yoke direction. When multiple shields possess the gradient in saturation magnetization described herein, these steps may be repeated multiple times for some or all of the shields. For example, the leading shield, trailing shield and side shields may be formed separately. In other embodiments, the leading and side shields may be formed together. In such an embodiment, the pole 110 may be formed in a trench in the shield material. In other embodiments, the side shields 130 and trailing shield 140 may be deposited together. In other embodiments, step 208 may be performed in another manner. Fabrication of the magnetic transducer may then be completed.

Using the method 200, a magnetic transducer having improved performance may be fabricated. Because of the gradient in the saturation magnetization of the side shields /130′/130″/130′″/13041 ″, leading shield 106/106′ and/or trailing shield 140/140 may be fabricated and the benefits thereof achieved.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method 250 for providing a magnetic transducer having side shields that have a gradient in saturation magnetization such that the saturation magnetization increases in the yoke direction. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, interleaved, performed in another order and/or combined. The method 250 is also described in the context of providing a magnetic recording transducer 150 depicted in FIGS. 12-19 depict ABS views of an exemplary embodiment of a transducer 150 during fabrication using the method 250. The method 250 may be used to fabricate multiple magnetic recording heads at substantially the same time. The method 250 may also be used to fabricate other magnetic recording transducers. The method 250 is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method 250 also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording transducer. For example, the method 250 may start after a read transducer, return pole/shield and/or other structure have been fabricated.

A leading shield is provided, via step 251. In some embodiments, the leading shield fabricated in step 251 may have a gradient in the saturation magnetization such that B_s increases in the yoke direction. In other embodiments, the saturation magnetization for the leading shield may be substantially constant. Step 251 may be performed in a similar manner to steps 254-256, described below. In other embodiments, step 251 may be performed in another manner. A nonmagnetic intermediate layer is provided on the leading shield, via step 252.

A shield trench in a nonmagnetic intermediate layer is provided, via step 253. Step 253 may be completed by providing a mask having an aperture with the shape and location of the shield region. The intermediate layer may then be removed, for example via an RIE that is appropriate for the material(s) in the intermediate layer. FIG. 12 depicts the transducer 150 after step 253 is performed. Thus, an intermediate layer 152 having a trench 154 therein is shown. In some embodiments, the trench 154 extends through the intermediate layer 152 to another layer below. In other embodiments, the bottom of the trench 154 is in the intermediate layer.

A seed layer is provided, via step 254. In some embodiments, the seed layer is a material such as NiP. The seed layer may be plated in step 254. In some embodiments, in which plating is desired to be towards or away from the ABS, the seed layer is desired to be only on the wall of the trench 154. For example, the seed layer may be on the trench wall closest to the bottom of FIG. 12 or the trench wall closest to the top of FIG. 12. In such embodiments, portions of the seed layer may be masked. Exposed portions of the seed layer may then be removed. In other embodiments, a mask may be provided prior to growth or deposition of the seed layer. The seed layer would be provided on the exposed portion of the trench and the mask removed.

The side shield material(s) are plated along the yoke direction, via step 256. In step 256, the side shield materials may start growing from locations recessed from the ABS and grow toward the ABS. Alternatively, side shield materials may grow from regions that will be lapped away, toward the ABS and end in the region recessed from the ABS. FIG. 13A depicts the transducer 150 during step 256. In the embodiment shown, the side shield material(s) 160 start growing from the back wall of the trench 154 that is recessed from the ABS. Thus, the remaining portion of the trench 154′ includes the ABS. The growth of the side shield material(s) continues until the trench 154′ is filled. FIG. 13B depicts the transducer 150 after step 256 has been completed. Thus, the trench has been filled with the side shield material(s) 160′. The plating, or other deposition/growth method used in step 256, is configured such that there is a gradient in the saturation magnetization of the shield layer(s) 160′ in the yoke direction. Thus, the materials for side shields analogous to the shields 130, 130′, 130″, 130′″ and/or 130′″ may be formed. Note that in some embodiments, masks may be used to cover portions of the side shield trench in step 256. In such embodiments, the materials may be grown from the bottom of the trench or from the sidewalls.

A trench for the main pole is provided in the side shield material(s), via step 258. Step 258 may include forming a hard mask on the side shield material(s). The hard mask may have an aperture having a shape and location corresponding to the portion of the main pole that is between the side shields. The portion of the side shield material(s) exposed by the aperture are removed, for example via RIE(s). FIGS. 14A and 14B depict ABS and plan views of the transducer 150 after step 258 is performed. Thus, the mask 170 and pole trench 172 have been formed. Note that the pole trench 172 may also extend into the intermediate layer 154 that resides further from the ABS location than the side shields 160″. Also shown is the underlayer/leading shield 152, which may have a gradient in saturation magnetization. In other embodiments, the leading shield may be omitted. In such embodiments, the layer 152 may be a nonmagnetic underlayer.

One or more gap layers are provided, via step 260. Step 260 may include depositing a layer such as Ru. In some embodiments, a multilayer gap is provided in step 260. The material(s) of the pole are then plated, via step 262. FIGS. 15A and 15B depict ABS and plan views of the transducer 150 after step 262 is performed. Thus, the gap 180 and pole material(s) 190 are shown.

A planarization is performed for at least the pole material(s) 190, via step 264. The mask may also be removed in step 264. The trailing bevel may optionally be formed in the main pole, via step 266. FIGS. 16A and 16B depict ABS and plan views of the transducer after step 264 and, optionally, 266 have been performed. Thus, the pole 190′ has been formed. The side gap 180′ is between the side shields 160″ and the main pole 190′.

A top, or write gap layer may also be provided, via step 268. The trailing shield may be formed, via step 270. In some embodiments, the trailing shield fabricated in step 270 may have a gradient in the saturation magnetization such that B_s increases in the yoke direction. In other embodiments, the saturation magnetization for the leading shield may be substantially constant. Step 270 may be performed in a similar manner to steps 254-256, described above. In other embodiments, step 270 may be performed in another manner. FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 depict ABS views of different versions of the transducer 150 after step 270 has been performed. Thus, a top gap 192 and trailing shield 194 have been formed. The trailing shield 194 may have a gradient in saturation magnetization. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the side shields 160″ extend to the underlayer/leading shield 152. Thus, a full wraparound shield may be formed. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, the side shields 160′″ still have a gradient in saturation magnetization in the yoke direction. However, the side shields 160′″ do not extend below the bottom of the main pole 190′. Thus, the side shields 160′″ may be termed half side shields. Although the side shields 160′″ are shown as extending the same distance in the down track direction, in some embodiments, the side shield 160′″ on one side may extend further than on the other. In some embodiments, one of the side shields 160′″ may be omitted or extend only a short distance from the top of the main pole. Further, a leading shield 152 or a nonmagnetic underlayer 152 may be used. In addition, although the side gap 180′ is shown in FIGS. 15A-18 as being symmetric, in other embodiments, the gap 180′ may be asymmetric. For example, FIG. 19 depicts a transducer 150″ in which the side gap 180′ is thicker on one side of the main pole than on the other.

Using the method 250, the transducer 150 including leading shield 152, side shield(s) 160″ and/or 160′″ and/or including trailing shield 194 may be provided. Because the saturation magnetization increases further from the ABS, flux shunting, field gradient, and WATER may be improved. Thus, performance of the transducer 150 may be improved.