Metal in gap thin film tape head

Abstract

A transducer for generating a write signal includes a write gap layer and bottom and top poles. The write gap layer is oriented normal to a media bearing surface. The bottom pole has a first magnetic material inner layer disposed adjacent the write gap layer for coupling the write signal to the media bearing surface. The top pole has a first magnetic material inner layer and a second magnetic material outer layer. The top pole is disposed adjacent the write gap layer on a side opposite the bottom pole at the media bearing surface with the top pole inner layer disposed between the gap layer and the top pole outer layer. The top pole has a constant width at the media bearing surface and couples the write signal to the media bearing surface. A coil passes between the bottom and top poles for inducing the write signal in the poles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A magnetic write transducer that generates a write signal across a write gap at a media bearing surface, the transducer comprising: 
 a write gap layer oriented approximately normal the media bearing surface for establishing the write gap;    a bottom pole having at least a bottom pole inner layer comprised of a first magnetic material, the bottom pole being disposed adjacent to the write gap layer and couples the write signal to the media bearing surface;    a top pole having a top pole inner layer comprised of the first magnetic material and a top pole outer layer composed of a second magnetic material, the top pole being disposed adjacent the write gap layer on a side opposite the bottom pole at the media bearing surface with the top pole inner layer disposed between the write gap layer and the top pole outer layer, wherein the top pole has an approximately constant width at the media bearing surface and couples the write signal to the media bearing surface; and    a coil passing between the bottom pole and the top pole for inducing the write signal in the bottom pole and the top pole.    
     
     
         2 . The transducer of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an electrically conducting layer disposed between the top pole inner layer and the top pole outer layer, the electrically conducting layer supporting the fabrication of the top pole outer layer.  
 
     
     
         3 . The transducer of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the bottom pole and the first magnetic material are selected from a first group of alloys consisting of cobalt zirconium tantalum alloys, nickle iron alloys, iron nitride alloys, and nickle iron nitride alloys.  
 
     
     
         4 . The transducer of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the second magnetic material is selected from a second group of alloys consisting of nickle iron alloys, cobalt iron alloys, and cobalt nickle iron alloys.  
 
     
     
         5 . The transducer of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the top pole inner layer is approximately 0.75 micrometers thick.  
 
     
     
         6 . The transducer of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the bottom pole further has a bottom pole outer layer disposed adjacent the bottom pole inner layer opposite the write gap layer.  
 
     
     
         7 . The transducer of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first magnetic material has a higher saturation magnetization characteristic than the second magnetic material.