Transducing head having a recessed shield

Abstract

A transducing head has an air bearing surface and includes a top shield, a bottom shield, a read sensor, and a first flux guide. The top shield has both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion. The non-recessed portion of the top shield extends from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion of the top shield and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion of the top shield. The bottom shield has both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion. The non-recessed portion of the bottom shield extends from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion of the bottom shield and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion of the bottom shield. A length of the non-recessed portion of the top shield is substantially equal to a length of the non-recessed portion of the bottom shield. The read sensor is positioned between the recessed portions of the top and bottom shields. The first flux guide is positioned between the top and bottom shields and extends from the air bearing surface toward the read sensor.

1 . A transducing head having an air bearing surface, the transducing head comprising: 
 a top shield having both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion, the non-recessed portion extending from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion and having a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion;    a bottom shield having both a substantially rectangular non-recessed portion and a substantially rectangular recessed portion, the non-recessed portion extending from the air bearing surface to the recessed portion and having a thickness greater than a thickness of the recessed portion; wherein a length of the non-recessed portion of the top shield is substantially equal to a length of the non-recessed portion of the bottom shield;    a read sensor positioned between the recessed portions of the top and bottom shields; and    a first flux guide positioned between the top and bottom shields and extending from the air bearing surface toward the read sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The transducing head of  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 a top thick gap positioned adjacent the top shield;  
 a top thin gap positioned adjacent the top thick gap such that the top thick gap is positioned between the top thin gap and the top shield;  
 a bottom thick gap positioned adjacent the bottom shield; and  
 a bottom thin gap positioned adjacent the bottom thick gap such that the bottom thick gap is positioned between the bottom thin gap and the bottom shield.  
 
     
     
         3 . The transducing head of  claim 2  wherein a thick gap material for forming the top and bottom thick gaps and a thin gap material for forming the top and bottom thin gaps are each selected to ensure high selectivity of a reactive ion etch of the top and bottom thick gaps.  
     
     
         4 . The transducing head of  claim 2  wherein the top and bottom thick gaps are each formed of Si 3 N 4  and the top and bottom thin gaps are each formed of Al 2 O 3 .  
     
     
         5 . The transducing head of  claim 2  wherein the top and bottom thick gaps are each formed of a non-magnetic material.  
     
     
         6 . The transducing head of  claim 2  wherein the top and bottom thin gaps are each formed of a non-magnetic material.  
     
     
         7 . The transducing head of  claim 2  and further comprising a second flux guide, the second flux guide being positioned between the top and bottom thick gaps and extending from the read sensor and away from the air bearing surface.  
     
     
         8 . A transducing head having an air bearing surface, the transducing head comprising: 
 a top shield;    a first air bearing shield extending from the air bearing surface to the top shield, the first air bearing shield having a thickness greater than the top shield;    a bottom shield;    a second air bearing shield extending from the air bearing surface to the bottom shield, the second air bearing shield having a thickness greater than the bottom shield; wherein a length of the first air bearing shield is substantially equal to a length of the second air bearing shield;    a read sensor positioned between the top and bottom shields; and    a first flux guide positioned between the top and bottom shields and extending from the air bearing surface toward the read sensor.    
     
     
         9 . The transducing head of  claim 8  and further comprising: 
 a top thick gap positioned adjacent the top shield such that the first air bearing shield is positioned between the top thick gap and the air bearing surface;  
 a top thin gap positioned adjacent the top thick gap such that the top thick gap is positioned between the top thin gap and the top shield;  
 a bottom thick gap positioned adjacent the bottom shield such that the second air bearing shield is positioned between the bottom thick gap and the air bearing surface; and  
 a bottom thin gap positioned adjacent the bottom thick gap such that the bottom thick gap is positioned between the bottom thin gap and the bottom shield.  
 
     
     
         10 . The transducing head of  claim 9  wherein a thick gap material for forming the top and bottom thick gaps and a thin gap material for forming the top and bottom thin gaps are each selected to ensure high selectivity of a reactive ion etch of the top and bottom thick gaps.  
     
     
         11 . The transducing head of  claim 9  wherein the top and bottom thick gaps are each formed of Si 3 N 4  and the top and bottom thin gaps are each formed of Al 2 O 3 .  
     
     
         12 . The transducing head of  claim 9  wherein the top and bottom thick gaps are each formed of a non-magnetic material.  
     
     
         13 . The transducing head of  claim 9  wherein the top and bottom thin gaps are each formed of a non-magnetic material.  
     
     
         14 . The transducing head of  claim 9  and further comprising a second flux guide, the second flux guide being positioned between the top and bottom thick gaps and extending from the read sensor and away from the air bearing surface.