The present disclosure generally relates to spin-orbital torque (SOT) differential reader designs. The SOT differential reader is a multi-terminal device that comprises a first shield, a first spin hall layer, a first free layer, a gap layer, a second spin hall layer, a second free layer, and a second shield. The gap layer functions as an electrode and is disposed between the first spin hall layer and the second spin hall layer. Electrical lead connections are located about the first spin hall layer, the second spin hall layer, the gap layer, the first shield, and/or the second shield. The electrical lead connections facilitate the flow of current and/or voltage from a negative lead to a positive lead. The positioning of the electrical lead connections and the positioning of the SOT differential layers improves reader resolution without decreasing the shield-to-shield spacing (i.e., read-gap).

A magnetic sensor comprising a first shield and a second shield and a sensor stack between the first and the second shield, the sensor stack having a plurality of layers wherein at least one layer is annealed using in-situ rapid thermal annealing. In one implementation of the magnetic sensor a seed layer is annealed using in-situ rapid thermal annealing. Alternatively, one of a barrier layer, an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer, and a cap layer is annealed using in-situ rapid thermal annealing.

A method of forming a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer is disclosed wherein a spin flipping (STO) device is recessed from an air bearing surface. The STO device has a middle flux guiding layer with a magnetization that flips to a direction anti-parallel to the write gap field when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied from the trailing shield towards the main pole (MP) thereby increasing reluctance in the write gap to enhance writability. A STO stack is deposited and patterned to define a cross-track width on the MP tapered trailing side. Thereafter, the STO stack is patterned to define a STO device with a front side recessed from the air bearing surface, and a backside. A write gap is deposited surrounding the STO device, and has a thickness greater than or to STO thickness to enable design flexibility. Then, first and second trailing shields are formed.

In one embodiment, a write head includes a spin polarization layer (SPL) over a seed layer. A spacer layer is over the SPL. A trailing shield is over the spacer layer. The spacer layer forms a first interface between the spacer layer and the trailing shield and forms a second interface between the spacer layer and the SPL. The first interface has an area larger than an area of the second interface. In another embodiment, a write head includes a SPL over a spacer layer. A capping layer is over the SPL. A trailing shield is over the capping layer. The spacer layer forms a first interface between the spacer layer and the main pole and forms a second interface between the spacer layer and the SPL. The first interface has an area larger than an area of the second interface.

A magnetic head, according to one embodiment, includes a rowbar substrate having a tape support surface and a gap surface at a substrate edge. A closure is positioned opposite the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, the closure forming a portion of the tape support surface. A recessed gap region is interposed between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a recessed gap profile that extends between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a transducer row with at least one magnetic sensor on the gap surface of the rowbar substrate. An insulation layer is positioned over the recessed gap profile of the recessed gap region.

A method is disclosed for forming a perpendicular magnetic recording writer with an all wrap around (AWA) shield design wherein a surface of the leading shield that contacts the lead gap has a notch that is recessed 20 to 120 nm from the air bearing surface (ABS) and has a first side with a down-track dimension of 20-200 nm that is aligned parallel to the ABS. In one embodiment, the notch is aligned below the main pole leading side and has a cross-track width substantially the same as the track width of the main pole trailing side. The notch has two sidewalls formed equidistant from a center plane that bisects the leading shield wherein each sidewall intersects the first side at an angle of 90 to 170 degrees. Accordingly, overwrite and bit error rate are improved while adjacent track interference and tracks per square inch capability are substantially maintained.

A method of forming a spin torque assisted magnetic recording writer is disclosed wherein a spin flipping (STO) device is recessed from an air bearing surface. The STO device has a middle flux guiding layer with a magnetization that flips to a direction anti-parallel to the write gap field when a current of sufficient magnitude is applied from the trailing shield towards the main pole (MP) thereby increasing reluctance in the write gap to enhance writability. A STO stack is deposited and patterned to define a cross-track width on the MP tapered trailing side. Thereafter, the STO stack is patterned to define a STO device with a front side recessed from the air bearing surface, and a backside. A write gap is deposited surrounding the STO device, and has a thickness greater than or <to STO thickness to enable design flexibility. Then, first and second trailing shields are formed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a write head. The write head comprises a main pole and a monolithic side shield. A first leading shield is disposed below the side shield, and a second leading shield is disposed between the first leading shield and the side shield. The first leading shield has a greater throat height than a throat height of the second leading shield. A side shield throat height extending from the main pole to the side shield is shorter than the first leading shield throat height extending from the main pole to the first leading shield. The varying throat heights between the main pole, the side shield, and the first leading shield allow for enhanced cross-track recording density and reduce flux leakage from the main pole.

A method is disclosed for forming a perpendicular magnetic recording writer with an all wrap around (AWA) shield design wherein a surface of the leading shield that contacts the lead gap has a notch that is recessed 20 to 120 nm from the air bearing surface (ABS) and has a first side with a down-track dimension of 20-200 nm that is aligned parallel to the ABS. In one embodiment, the notch is aligned below the main pole leading side and has a cross-track width substantially the same as the track width of the main pole trailing side. The notch has two sidewalls formed equidistant from a center plane that bisects the leading shield wherein each sidewall intersects the first side at an angle of 90 to 170 degrees. Accordingly, overwrite and bit error rate are improved while adjacent track interference and tracks per square inch capability are substantially maintained.

A perpendicular magnetic recording writer is disclosed with an all wrap around (AWA) shield design in which a surface of the leading shield that contacts the lead gap is comprised of a notch that is recessed 20 to 120 nm from the air bearing surface (ABS) and has a first side with a down-track dimension of 20-200 nm that is aligned parallel to the ABS. In one embodiment, the notch is aligned below the main pole leading side and has a cross-track width substantially the same as the track width of the main pole trailing side. The notch has two sidewalls formed equidistant from a center plane that bisects the leading shield wherein each sidewall intersects the first side at an angle of 90 to 170 degrees. Accordingly, overwrite and bit error rate are improved while adjacent track interference and tracks per square inch capability are substantially maintained.