Ultrathin Conformal Magnetic Plated Layer on a Magnetic Pole

Scaling a perpendicular write head to obtain higher areal densities is getting progressively more difficult. One has to not only reduce the pole width, pole thickness, flare point to air bearing surface (ABS) separation, trailing shield thickness (perpendicular to ABS), but also the associated tolerances to maintain manufacturability. In an effort to explore processing options to create write heads within these constraints, an alternative pole structure and process with an electroplated flare will be discussed.