Magnetic writer having a partially shunted coil

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a conventional magnetic recording head 10 . The magnetic recording head 10 may be a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head. The conventional magnetic recording head 10 includes a read transducer 12 and a write transducer 20 . The conventional read transducer 12 includes shields 14 and 18 and sensor 16 . The read sensor 16 is typically a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor or tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor. The write transducer 20 includes a first, or return, pole 22 , coils 24 and 32 , back gap 26 , auxiliary poles 28 , main pole 30 and shield 34 . Although not shown, the main pole 30 may have leading and/or trailing edge bevels. In such cases, the main pole 30 is shortest in the down track direction at the ABS.

Although the conventional magnetic recording head 10 functions, there are drawbacks. In particular, the trend in magnetic recording toward higher recording densities and, therefore, smaller track widths and bit lengths. The conventional magnetic recording head 10 may not perform sufficiently at higher recording densities and higher recording speeds. For example, the main pole may not have sufficiently fast reversals in magnetic flux unless the pole is shrunk. If the pole is shrunk, then the same current through the coils 24 and 32 may result in increased wide area track erasure (WATER) issues. Such an increase in erasure issues is undesirable. Using fewer turns in the coils 24 and/or 32 may mitigate WATER issues, but slows the reversals in magnetic flux. Thus, performance of the magnetic transducer 10 again may suffer. Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for improving the performance of a magnetic recording head, particularly for higher recording densities.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a conventional magnetic recording head.

FIGS. 2A-2B depicts an exemplary embodiment of a magnetic recording disk drive.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict plan views of exemplary embodiments of a magnetic recording transducer.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict plan views of exemplary embodiments of a magnetic recording transducer.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a magnetic recording transducer.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a magnetic recording transducer.

FIG. 7 is flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a magnetic recording head.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict side views of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a disk drive 100 and transducer 110 . For clarity, FIGS. 2A and 2B are not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive 100 are shown. In addition, although the disk drive 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 100 is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of each components and/or and their sub-components, might be used. The disk drive 100 may be a PMR disk drive. However, in other embodiments, the disk drive 100 may be configured for other types of magnetic recording.

The disk drive 100 includes media 102 , a slider 104 and a write transducer 110 . Additional and/or different components may be included in the disk drive 100 . Although not shown, the slider 104 and thus the transducer 110 are generally attached to a suspension (not shown).

The transducer 110 is fabricated on the slider 104 and includes an air-bearing surface (ABS) proximate to the media 102 during use. In general, the disk drive 100 includes a write transducer 110 and a read transducer (not shown). However, for clarity, only the write transducer 110 is shown. The transducer 110 includes a main pole 120 , coil(s) 130 and at least one shunt 140 . The main pole 120 has a yoke length, L. In some embodiments, the yoke length is reduced. For example, in some embodiments, the yoke length is less than five microns. In some such embodiments, the yoke length is less than 4.9 microns. However, other yoke lengths are possible.

Also shown in FIG. 2B are an auxiliary pole 124 , first pole 112 , shield 114 , shield pedestal 116 , and back gap 126 . The auxiliary pole 124 is shown as located between the main pole 120 and the shield 114 . In other embodiments, the auxiliary pole 124 may be between the main pole 120 and the first pole 112 or two auxiliary poles on either side of the main pole in the down track direction may be used. In other embodiments, different and/or additional components may be used in the write transducer 110 .

The coil(s) 130 shown includes three turns 132 , 134 and 136 . In some embodiments, the turns 132 , 134 and 136 are for a single, helical coil. In other embodiments, the turns 132 , 134 and 136 for each coil 130 is only part of a spiral coil. In such embodiments, then additional portions of the coil(s) 130 may be located further from the ABS. Further, additional coils may also be used. The coil(s) 130 may have different numbers of turns and/or may have multiple layers of turns.

Also shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is shunt 140 . In the embodiment shown, the back gap 126 is between a portion of the shunt 140 and the ABS/coil(s) 130 . However, in other embodiments, the shunt 140 may be located elsewhere. For example, the shield 114 may be between a portion of the shunt 140 and the coil(s) 130 . In other embodiments, first pole 112 may be between part of the shunt 140 and the coil(s) 130 . In other embodiments, main pole 120 may be between part of the shunt 140 and the coil(s) 130 . In still other embodiments, the shunt 140 extend in the cross-track direction from the coil(s) 130 . The shunt 140 is also depicted as being at a different level from the coil(s) 130 in a down track direction. In some embodiments, however, the shunt 140 may be at the same level as the coil 130 to which the shunt 140 is connected. Such a configuration may allow the shunt to be fabricated more easily. Further, although a single shunt 140 that is connected to one of the turns 132 , 134 or 136 is shown, in another embodiment, multiple shunts connected to multiple turns may be used.

Shunt 140 is connected to one of the turns 132 , 134 or 136 to shunt a portion of the current that would otherwise be carried in that turn. For example, in FIG. 2A , the shunt 140 is depicted as being connected to the turn of the coil(s) 130 that are closest from the ABS. Such a turn corresponds to the turn 132 . In such an embodiment, turns 134 and 136 carry one current, while turn 132 carries a smaller current. The sum of the currents carried by the shunt 140 and the turn 132 equals the current carried by the turn 134 or 136 . The amount of current carried by the shunt 140 may be set by the resistance and, therefore, the geometry of the shunt 140 . The larger the resistance of the shunt, the lower the amount of current carried by the shunt.

The coil(s) 130 have a particular number of turns. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B , this number is three. Because of the presence of the shunt 140 , the effective number of turns in the coil(s) 130 may be reduced. The effective number of turns is related to the current carried in proximity to the main pole. Without the shunt 140 , the effective number of turns for the coil(s) is the same as the actual number of turns: three. Because some of the current through one or more turns is carried by the shunt 140 instead of the coil(s) 130 , the effective number of turns for the transducer 110 is less than three. The larger the amount of current carried by the shunt 140 , the smaller the effective number of turns. In some embodiments, the effective number of turns is at least two and less than three. In some such embodiments, the effective number of turns is at least 2.5 (e.g. 50% shunting on one of the turns). For example, the effective number of turns may be nominally 2.6, 2.65, 2.75 or another number greater than two and less than three. Note that for another number of turns for the coil(s) 130 , an analogous relationship holds. In other words, the shunt 140 allows for a nonintegral effective number of turns that is less than the actual number of turns of the coil(s) 130 . Further, although an integral effective number of turns is possible through the use of the shunt 140 , it is expected that such a number of turns will simply be formed by adding to or subtracting from the actual number of turns.

The magnetic disk drive 100 may exhibit improved performance. As discussed above, the yoke length of the main pole 120 may be reduced. The response time of the pole 120 may thus be improved. Data may be written at a higher rate. The shunting of the coil(s) 130 allows for a balance between erasure issues and providing a higher writing field and faster saturation of the pole 120 . In particular, reducing the effective number of turns may mitigate WATER while maintaining sufficient field for writing. Stated differently, the signal-to-noise ratio for the transducer 110 may be improved. Thus, performance of the write transducer 110 and disk drive 100 may be improved.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict top views of exemplary embodiments of a magnetic transducer 110 , 110 ′, and 110 ″ that may be used in a disk drive 100 . For clarity, FIGS. 3A-3C are not to scale. More specifically, a portion of the transducers 110 , 110 ′ and 110 ″ are depicted. A portion of a coil 130 , back gap 126 and shunts 140 , 140 ′ and 140 ″ are depicted in FIGS. 3A , 3 B and 3 C, respectively. The coil 130 are helical coils in the transducers 110 , 110 ′ and 110 ″. FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of the transducer 110 in which the shunt 140 is connected to the turn 132 . Turns 134 and 136 are unshunted. In FIG. 3A , the circles within each turn 132 , 134 and 136 denote a connection to the next turn that runs perpendicular to the page. As can be seen in FIG. 3A , the turn 132 that is closest to the ABS is connected with the shunt 140 . It is believed that shunting of the turn 132 closest to the ABS may be the most effective because this turn is closest to the pole tip. However, shunting of the other turns 134 and/or 136 may also be effective. FIG. 3B depicts a plan view another embodiment of the magnetic transducer 110 ′. In the transducer 110 ′, the center turn 134 is connected to the shunt 140 ′. FIG. 3C depicts an embodiment of the transducer 110 ″ in which the turn 136 further from the ABS is connected to the shunt 140 ″. Thus, different turns 132 , 134 and 136 are shunted in the transducers 110 , 110 ′ and 110 ″. However, in each transducer 110 , 110 ′ and 110 ″, the effective number of turns may be the same. For example, the shunts 140 , 140 ′ and 140 ″ may each shunt 50% of the current from the corresponding turn 132 , 134 and 136 , respectively. Thus, the effective number of turns for the transducer 110 , 110 ′ and 110 ″ may be the same.

Each of the transducers 110 , 110 ′ and 110 ″ may enjoy the benefits described above. The yoke length of the main pole may be reduced and response time of the main pole improved. Data may thus be written at a higher rate. The shunting of the coil(s) 130 by shunts 140 , 140 ′ and/or 140 ″ allows for improved WATER (reduced off-track erasure) while maintaining sufficient field for writing. Thus, performance of the write transducer 110 , 110 ′, and/or 110 ″ and disk drive 100 may be improved.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict top views of exemplary embodiments of a magnetic transducer 110 ″′ and 110 ″″ that may be used in a disk drive 100 . For clarity, FIGS. 4A-4B are not to scale. More specifically, a portion of the transducers 110 ″′ and 110 ″″ are depicted. A portion of a coil 130 , back gap 126 and shunts 140 ″′ and 140 ″″ are depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B , respectively. The coil 130 is a helical coil in the transducers 110 ″′ and 110 ″″. FIGS. 4A and 4B may be considered with FIG. 3A , as the transducers 110 , 110 ″′ and 110 ″″ include shunts 140 , 140 ″′ and 140 ″″, respectively, that are coupled with the same turn 132 of the coil 130 . Thus, the same turn 132 is shunted in the transducers 110 , 110 ″′ and 110 ″″. However, in each transducer 110 , 110 ″′ and 110 ″″, the effective number of turns is different. For example, the shunt 140 shunts more of the current than the shunt 140 ″′ but less of the current than the shunt 140 ″″. Thus, the amount of current shunted from a particular turn may be changed by configuring the shunt 140 , 140 ″′ and/or 140 ″″.

Each of the transducers 110 , 110 ″′ and 110 ″″ may enjoy the benefits described above. The yoke length of the main pole may be reduced and response time of the main pole improved. Data may thus be written at a higher rate. The shunting of the coil(s) 130 by shunts 140 , 140 ″′ and/or 140 ″″ allows for improved WATER while maintaining sufficient field for writing. Thus, performance of the write transducer 110 , 110 ″′, and/or 110 ″″ and disk drive 100 may be improved.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a magnetic transducer 150 . For simplicity, only a portion of the magnetic recording transducer 150 is shown. FIG. 5 is not to scale for clarity. The magnetic recording transducer 150 is analogous to the transducers 110 , 110 ′, 110 ″, 110 ″′ and/or 110 ″″. Consequently, analogous components have similar labels. The write transducer 150 thus includes a first pole 152 , shield 154 having pedestal 156 , back gaps 166 , main pole 160 , auxiliary pole 164 , coils 170 and 180 and shunts 190 and 195 that are analogous to the first pole 112 , shield 114 having pedestal 116 , back gaps 126 , main pole 120 , auxiliary pole 124 , coil(s) 130 and shunt 140 , respectively depicted in FIGS. 2A-4B . In the embodiment shown, the coil 170 is a spiral coil having turns 172 , 174 and 176 . Similarly, the coil 180 is a spiral coil having turns 182 , 184 and 186 . In the embodiment shown, the coils 170 and 180 have the same number of turns. However, in other embodiments, the coils 170 and 180 may have a different number of turns. Further, each coil 170 and 180 is shown as having three turns. In another embodiment, the coil 170 and/or 180 may have a different number of turns. In addition, the coils 170 and 180 each includes a single layer of turns. In another embodiment, the coil 170 and/or 180 may include multiple layers. Further additional coil(s) may be used.

Also shown in FIG. 5 are shunts 190 and 195 . The shunt 190 is connected to the center turn 184 of the coil 180 . The shunt 195 is connected to the first turn 172 (closest to the ABS) of the coil 170 . In the embodiment shown, the pole 152 and shield 154 is between a portion of the shunt 195 and 190 , respectively, and the coil 170 and 180 , respectively. However, in other embodiments, the shunt 190 and/or 195 may be configured differently. For example, in other embodiments, the shunt 190 and/or 195 extend in the cross-track direction from the coil 170 and/or 180 , respectively. Further, although a single shunt 190 and 195 that is connected to one of the coils 180 and 170 , respectively, in another embodiment, multiple shunts may be connected to multiple turns of each coil 170 and/or 180 . In addition, different turns of the coil 170 and/or 180 may be shunted.

Shunts 190 and 195 shunt a portion of the current that would otherwise be carried in the turn 184 and 172 , respectively. The shunts 190 and 195 also function in an analogous manner to the shunts 140 , 140 ′, 140 ″, 140 ″′ and 140 ″″. The amount of current carried by the shunts 190 and 195 may be set by the resistance and, therefore, the geometry of the shunts 190 and 195 , respectively. The larger the resistance of the shunt, the lower the amount of current carried by the shunt. Because of the presence of the shunts 190 and 195 , the effective number of turns in the coils 170 and 180 is reduced. The larger the amount of current carried by the shunt 190 and 195 , the smaller the effective number of turns in the coils 170 and 180 . The shunts 190 and 195 allow for a nonintegral effective number of turns that is less than the actual number of turns of the coils 170 and 180 . Further, although an integral effective number of turns is possible through the use of the shunts 190 and 195 , it is expected that such a number of turns will simply be formed by adding to or subtracting from the actual number of turns.

The magnetic transducer 150 may exhibit improved performance. As discussed above, the yoke length of the main pole 160 may be reduced. The response time of the pole 160 may thus be improved. Data may be written at a higher rate. The shunting of the coils 170 and 180 allows for mitigating WATER while maintaining sufficient field for writing. Thus, performance of the write transducer 150 and disk drive 100 in which the transducer 150 may be improved.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a magnetic transducer 200 . For simplicity, only a portion of the magnetic recording transducer 200 is shown. FIG. 6 is not to scale for clarity. The magnetic recording transducer 200 is analogous to the transducers 110 , 110 ′, 110 ″, 110 ″′, 100 ″″ and/or 150 . Consequently, analogous components have similar labels. The write transducer 200 thus includes a first pole 212 , shield 214 having pedestal 216 , back gaps 226 , main pole 220 , auxiliary pole 224 , coil(s) 230 and shunt 240 that are analogous to the first pole 112 / 152 , shield 114 / 154 having pedestal 116 / 156 , back gaps 126 / 166 , main pole 120 / 160 , auxiliary pole 124 / 164 , coil(s) 130 / 170 and 180 and shunt(s) 140 / 190 and 195 , respectively depicted in FIGS. 2A-5 . In the embodiment shown, the coil(s) 230 may be a helical coil or two spiral coils. The coil(s) 230 have turns 232 , 234 , 236 , 237 and 238 . In the embodiment shown, the coil(s) 230 have five turns. However, in other embodiments, the coil(s) 230 may have a different number of turns.

In the embodiment shown, the coil(s) 230 have two layers of turns. The shunt 240 may be connected to any of the turns 232 , 234 , 236 , 237 and/or 238 . Although a single shunt 240 is shown, in another embodiment, multiple shunts may be connected to multiple turns of the coil(s) 230 .

The shunt 240 functions in an analogous manner to the shunts 140 , 140 ′, 140 ″, 140 ″′, 140 ″″, 190 and/or 195 . The amount of current carried by the shunts 240 may be set by the resistance and, therefore, the geometry of the shunt 240 . The larger the resistance of the shunt, the lower the amount of current carried by the shunt. Because of the presence of the shunt 240 , the effective number of turns in the coil(s) 230 is reduced. The shunt 240 allows for a nonintegral effective number of turns that is less than the actual number of turns of the coil(s) 230 . Further, although an integral effective number of turns is possible through the use of the shunt 240 , it is expected that such a number of turns will simply be formed by adding to or subtracting from the actual number of turns.

The magnetic transducer 200 may exhibit improved performance. As discussed above, the yoke length of the main pole 220 may be reduced. The response time of the pole 220 may thus be improved. The shunting of the coil(s) 230 allows for improved WATER while maintaining sufficient field for writing. Thus, performance of the write transducer 250 and disk drive 100 in which the transducer 150 may be improved.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method 300 for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a main pole that may have a shortened yoke length. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, interleaved, and/or combined. The method 300 is also described in the context of providing a magnetic recording head 100 depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B and 3 A. However, the method 300 may be used to fabricate multiple magnetic recording heads at substantially the same time. The method 300 may also be used to fabricate other magnetic recording transducers including but not limited to any combination of 110 , 110 ′, 110 ″, 110 ″′, 110 ″″, 150 and/or 200 . The method 300 is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method 300 also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording head. For example, the method 300 may start after a read transducer, return pole/shield and/or other structure have been fabricated.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B , 3 A and 7 , the main pole 130 is provided, via step 302 . Step 302 may include using a damascene process. For example, a trench may be formed in a layer and the material(s) for the pole 130 deposited and patterned.

The auxiliary pole(s) 124 and back gap 126 may be provided, via step 304 . However, if one or both of the structures 124 and 126 are omitted, then some or all of step 304 may be skipped.

The coil(s) 130 are provided, via step 306 . Portions of step 306 may thus be interleaved with the remaining steps of the method 300 . For example, the coil(s) 130 between the main pole 120 and the first pole 112 may be provided before the formation of the auxiliary pole 124 and the main pole 120 . Step 306 may also include depositing and patterning the material(s) used for the coil(s) 140 .

The shunt 140 , 140 ′, 140 ″, 140 ″′, 140 ″″, 170 , 190 and/or 195 may also be provided, via step 308 . Step 308 includes connecting the shunt(s) to the desired turn(s) of the coil(s). Thus, the shunt 140 , 140 ′, 140 ″, 140 ″′, 140 ″″, 170 , 190 and/or 195 may be used to tailor effective number of turns in a coil and, therefore, the write properties of the transducer 110 , 110 ′, 110 ″, 110 ″′, 110 ″″, 150 and/or 200 . Fabrication of the transducer may then be completed.

Using the method 300 , the magnetic transducers 110 , 110 ′, 110 ″, 110 ″′, 110 ″″, 150 and/or 200 may be provided. Thus, the benefits of the magnetic transducers 110 , 110 ′, 110 ″, 110 ″′, 110 ″″, 150 and/or 200 may be achieved.