Write head with modified side shields

Abstract

A write head, the write head having an air bearing surface, the write head including a magnetic write pole, wherein at the air bearing surface, the write pole has a trailing surface, a leading surface that is opposite the trailing surface, and first and second surfaces; a trailing shield proximate the trailing surface of the magnetic write pole; first and second gaps proximate the first and second surfaces of the magnetic write pole; first and second side shields proximate the first and second gaps, each of the first and second side shields having a trailing shield surface; and first and second antiferromagnetic-coupling layers positioned between the trailing shield surfaces of the first and second side shields and the trailing shield.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A write head, the write head having an air bearing surface, the write head comprising:
 a magnetic write pole, wherein at the air bearing surface, the write pole has first and second opposing surfaces;   first and second gaps proximate the first and second surfaces of the magnetic write pole; and   first and second side shields proximate the first and second gaps, each of the first and second side shields having lower surfaces,   wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole.   
     
     
         22 . The write head according to  claim 21 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are from about 10 nm to 70 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         23 . The write head according to  claim 21 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are from about 20 nm to 60 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         24 . The write head according to  claim 21 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are from about 35 nm to about 45 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         25 . The write head according to  claim 21 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are about 40 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         26 . The write head according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second side shields are made of soft ferromagnetic materials. 
     
     
         27 . The write head according to  claim 26 , wherein the first and second side shields comprise NiFe, CoFe, NiFeCo, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The write head according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second gaps are made of non-magnetic materials. 
     
     
         29 . A write head, the write head having an air bearing surface, the write head comprising:
 a magnetic write pole, wherein at the air bearing surface, the write pole has first and second opposing surfaces;   first and second gaps comprising a non-magnetic material, the first and second gaps proximate the first and second surfaces of the magnetic write pole; and   first and second side shields proximate the first and second gaps, each of the first and second side shields having lower surfaces and each of the first and second side shields made of soft ferromagnetic materials,   wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole.   
     
     
         30 . The write head according to  claim 29 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are from about 10 nm to 70 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         31 . The write head according to  claim 29 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are from about 35 nm to about 45 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         32 . The write head according to  claim 29 , wherein the first and second side shields comprise NiFe, CoFe, NiFeCo, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . A write head, the write head having an air bearing surface, the write head comprising:
 a magnetic write pole, wherein at the air bearing surface, the write pole has first and second opposing surfaces;   first and second gaps proximate the first and second surfaces of the magnetic write pole; and   first and second side shields proximate the first and second gaps, each of the first and second side shields comprising a high magnetic portion and a low magnetic portion, and the first and second side shields having lower surfaces,   wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole.   
     
     
         34 . The write head according to  claim 33 , wherein the lower surfaces of the first and second side shields are from about 10 nm to 70 nm above the air bearing surface of the magnetic write pole. 
     
     
         35 . The write head according to  claim 33 , wherein the low magnetic portion of the first and second side shields is more proximate the air bearing surface than is the high magnetic portion. 
     
     
         36 . The write head according to  claim 33 , wherein the high magnetic portion and the low magnetic portions of each shield are separated by a gap. 
     
     
         37 . The write head according to  claim 36 , wherein the gap comprises a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         38 . The write head according to  claim 37 , wherein the gaps comprise AlO, FeO, SiO, AlN, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The write head according to  claim 36 , wherein the gap is from about 20 nm to about 60 nm. 
     
     
         40 . The write head according to  claim 33 , wherein the low magnetic portion has a magnetic flux density from about 0.3 T to about 0.7 T and the high magnetic portion has a magnetic flux density from about 1.3 T to about 1.7 T.