Magnetic Sensor Side Shields with Extended Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current build schemes for magnetic sensors, such as K3 first and K5 first, face limitations in forming effective side shields, particularly in smaller geometries for high-density magnetic recording, leading to issues like side shield residuals, poor refill uniformity, and lack of narrow track-width, which affect performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sensor with effectively shaped side shields is fabricated by depositing sensor materials on a substrate, shaping them to form a stripe height and track width, then extending the side shields beyond the stripe height with minimal residue at the back edge, incorporating a novel fabrication method that combines advantages of both K3 first and K5 first build schemes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional build schemes (K3 first or K5 first) are used to fabricate magnetic sensors, then the manufacturing process is relatively simple, but the side shields cannot be effectively shaped, leading to poor refill uniformity and side shield residuals
Solution Approach 1:
The fabrication process is divided into distinct stages: first forming the sensor stack with stripe height, then separately forming the side shields with track width definition. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving effective side shield shaping without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor stack is formed first with the stripe height pattern, and then the side shields are added in a subsequent step. This preliminary action allows the side shields to be precisely shaped around the sensor stack, eliminating residuals and improving refill uniformity
2Reliability
If side shields are extended beyond stripe height to improve shielding effectiveness, then magnetic sensor performance is enhanced, but material residue accumulates at the back edge
Solution Approach 1:
The side shields are designed with varying heights: extending beyond the stripe height at the front edge for effective shielding, while being trimmed at the back edge to eliminate residuals. This local differentiation of shield height optimizes both performance and cleanliness
Solution Approach 2:
The side shields initially extend beyond the stripe height (excessive action) to ensure adequate shielding coverage, then are selectively trimmed back to remove residuals. This partial removal maintains the beneficial shielding effect while eliminating harmful residue
3Productivity
If narrower track width is implemented to increase areal density, then storage capacity is improved, but side shield formation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The side shields are formed not only in the lateral dimension (track width) but also extended in the vertical dimension (height beyond stripe). This dimensional approach allows narrow track widths to be achieved while maintaining adequate side shield coverage and formation precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting magnetic sensors exhibit improved performance with side shields that are taller than the stripe height and have no residue at the back edge, enhancing self-servo writing and areal density capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic sensor with effectively shaped side shields is fabricated by depositing sensor materials on a substrate, shaping them to form a stripe height and track width, then extending the side shields beyond the stripe height with minimal residue at the back edge
Data Source
AI summary
Magnetic sensors with effectively shaped side shields and their fabrication processes are provided. One such process includes depositing sensor materials on a substrate, shaping the sensor materials to form a stripe height of the magnetic sensor, shaping the sensor materials to form a track width of the magnetic sensor, depositing side shield materials on the shaped sensor materials, shaping the side shield materials such that a resulting side shield extends further than the stripe height, depositing an insulator layer on the shaped side shield materials, and shaping the insulator layer.