Process for forming vertical gap in a thin film magnetic transducer
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating a magnetic transducer comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate having a release layer formed on a surface thereof, said substrate and release layer defining a pit having sidewalls;
forming a vertical wall of a nonmagnetic material in said pit with its ends supported by the sidewalls of the pit;
forming first and second pole pieces of a magnetic material, said pole pieces each having a pole tip disposed in the pit in opposing relationship to each other separated by said vertical wall disposed therebetween defining a magnetic gap;
magnetically coupling the pole pieces; and
separating the substrate from the magnetic transducer formed thereon by removing the release layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the manufacture of a thin-film magnetic head having a vertical gap, auxiliary support is provided at the ends of a gap wall prior to formation of the magnetic poles. In a preferred embodiment, a pit is defined in a substrate and a release layer is deposited on the substrate followed by a layer of alumina. A recess is then etched through the alumina layer to the release layer in the pit. A partial layer of polymer or metal is deposited with a vertical edge across the median of the pit and recess. A layer of nonmagnetic wall material such as silicon oxide is deposited which after etching leaves a wall against the vertical edge of the partial layer. After removal of the partial layer, a vertical wall extends transversely across the recess and pit with the ends of the wall anchored and supported at the recess sidewalls. Alternatively, a pedestal may be provided in the recess to support each end of the wall. The magnetic poles are then formed simultaneously on either side of the wall. Other thin film layers are then deposited in an appropriate sequence of steps to complete the desired vertical gap, horizontal head structure. The substrate is separated from the completed thin film structure by dissolving the release layers.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a magnetic transducer comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate having a release layer formed on a surface thereof, said substrate and release layer defining a pit having sidewalls; forming a vertical wall of a nonmagnetic material in said pit with its ends supported by the sidewalls of the pit; forming first and second pole pieces of a magnetic material, said pole pieces each having a pole tip disposed in the pit in opposing relationship to each other separated by said vertical wall disposed therebetween defining a magnetic gap; magnetically coupling the pole pieces; and separating the substrate from the magnetic transducer formed thereon by removing the release layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk storage system comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one magnetic storage disk; providing a drive mechanism for rotating said magnetic storage disk; providing an actuator mechanism for moving a magnetic transducer supported on a suspension member close to the surface of said magnetic storage disk; manufacturing said magnetic transducer by the steps of; forming a release layer formed on a substrate, said substrate and release layer defining a pit having sidewalls; forming a vertical wall of nonmagnetic material in said pit with its ends supported by the sidewalls of the pit; forming first and second pole pieces of a magnetic material, said pole pieces each having a pole tip disposed in the pit in opposing relationship to each other separated by said vertical wall disposed therebetween defining a magnetic gap; magnetically coupling the pole pieces; and separating the substrate from the magnetic transducer formed thereon by removing the release layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification