Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
360314000 | Having multiple interconnected multiple film MR sensors (e.g., dual spin valve magnetoresistive sensor) | 35 |
20080266720 | THIN FILM MAGNETIC HEAD AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A thin film magnetic head is disclosed having a non-magnetic layer that is formed of a NiPRe (nickel-phosphorus-rhenium) alloy, which makes it possible to optimize the composition ratios of elements Ni, P, and Re, to obtain the non-magnetic layer having a smooth surface, and to prevent concave portions from being formed in both side surfaces of the non-magnetic layer during a milling process, thereby improving recording characteristics. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266721 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD - In a perpendicular magnetic recording head comprising a main magnetic pole layer, a return yoke layer, and an auxiliary yoke layer, a plurality of rear magnetic connecting layers intermittently extending to a connecting position with the return yoke layer are provided at the same lamination position as with the main magnetic pole layer on the rear side of the main magnetic pole layer in the height direction. The auxiliary yoke layer is formed by a plurality of divided auxiliary yoke layers intermittently extending on the rear side of the medium-opposing surface in the height direction and magnetically connecting the main magnetic pole layer to the plurality of rear magnetic connecting layers, respectively. In each of the main magnetic pole layer, plurality of rear magnetic connecting layers, and plurality of divided auxiliary yoke layers, the size in the track width direction is defined greater than the size in the height direction. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273273 | Thin-film magnetic head including two magnetic layers and flat spiral coil, and method of manufacturing same - A thin-film magnetic head includes a first magnetic layer, a flat, spiral-shaped coil, a toroidal-shaped insulating layer covering the coil, and a second magnetic layer touching the insulating layer and disposed to sandwich part of the coil between itself and the first magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has a recessed portion that enters a space inside the insulating layer. In the recessed portion, the bottom surface of the second magnetic layer includes a first flat portion a part of which touches the top surface of the first magnetic layer, while the top surface of the second magnetic layer includes a second flat portion located in the space and substantially parallel to the first flat portion. In a cross section that divides each of the first and second magnetic layers into two equal portions, the second flat portion is 0.3 to 6 μm in length, and a distance from an edge of the interface between the top surface of the first magnetic layer and the first flat portion closer to the medium facing surface to an edge of the top surface of the first magnetic layer farther from the medium facing surface is 0.35 to 0.95 times the length of the first flat portion. | 11-06-2008 |
20080291579 | METHOD FOR TESTING NOISE OF THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD, AND MAGNETIC DISK DRIVE APPARATUS WITH NOISE TESTING FUNCTION - A noise-testing method for a thin-film magnetic head with an MR read head element and a heating unit capable of applying a heat and a stress to the MR read head element, includes a step of applying alternately and discontinuously with each other an electrical power having a first level and an electrical power having a second level higher than the first level to the heating unit, and a step of evaluating the thin-film magnetic head by measuring a noise output or noise outputs obtained from the MR read head element when the electrical power or the electrical powers are applied to the heating unit. | 11-27-2008 |
20080291580 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD - In a perpendicular magnetic recording head having a main magnetic pole layer and a return yoke layer which are laminated with a magnetic gap layer interposed therebetween on a medium-opposing surface, a pair of side coils constituting respective electrically closed circuits on a surface parallel to the medium-opposing surface are provided on both sides in a track width direction of a magnetic pole part of the main magnetic pole layer. When a leakage magnetic field spreading from the magnetic pole part of the main magnetic pole layer passes through the pair of side coils, the pair of side coils generate a demagnetizing field in such a direction as to cancel a magnetic flux change thereof, thereby preventing the leakage magnetic flux from spreading. | 11-27-2008 |
20080297951 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD - In a perpendicular magnetic recording head comprising a main magnetic pole layer and a return yoke layer which have respective front end faces exposed at a surface opposing a recording medium and are laminated with a nonmagnetic material layer interposed therebetween on the medium-opposing surface, an end magnetization control layer for generating an exchange-coupling field is provided on the upper or lower side of both end parts in a track width direction of the return yoke layer. The exchange-coupling field fixes magnetization in the end parts to the track width direction. | 12-04-2008 |
20090015969 | Magnetic thin film, magnetoresistance effect device and magnetic device using the same - Magnetic thin film having high spin polarizability and a magnetoresistance effect device and a magnetic device using the same, provided with a substrate ( | 01-15-2009 |
20090052093 | MAGNETIC HEAD ASSEMBLY AND MAGNETIC TAPE DRIVING APPARATUS - A magnetic head assembly of the present invention includes a head rail having a plurality of head element portions each including a MR element and sliding portions that come into contact with a magnetic tape, and a protective film on a magnetic tape sliding surface of the head element portions and the sliding portions, wherein the protective film is formed in a portion other than the vicinity of both ends of the head rail in a traveling direction, and an outermost surface of the protective film, on which a magnetic tape is capable of sliding, is formed flat. Thus, a magnetic head assembly used in a magnetic tape apparatus can be provided, in which an output does not decrease due to the abrasion deformation of the head element portions and the increase in spacing by the adhesion of stain. | 02-26-2009 |
20090059436 | THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD HAVING CPP STRUCTURE MAGNETO-RESISTIVE EFFECT DEVICE - The invention provides a thin-film magnetic head having a magneto-resistive effect device of the CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure comprising a multilayer film in which a fixed magnetization layer, a nonmagnetic layer and a free layer are stacked together in order. The fixed magnetization layer, nonmagnetic layer and free layer extend rearward from an air bearing surface that is a plane in opposition to a medium, the length of the depth-wise side of the fixed magnetization layer is longer than that of the free layer, and a shunt layer for shunting a sense current is formed more on the depth-wise side of, and kept constantly away from, the free layer. There are thus much more favorable advantages obtained: even when device size is further reduced and narrowed, degradation of frequency characteristics is hold back, any increase in the thermal magnetic noise is stayed off, and performance fluctuations are minimized. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059437 | DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT PERPENDICULAR TO PLANE GIANT MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR STRUCTURE HAVING IMPROVED ROBUSTNESS AGAINST SPIN TORQUE NOISE - A differential giant magnetoresistive sensor for sensing a magnetic signal. The differential sensor has a structure configured to minimize spin torque noise. The differential magnetoresistive sensor includes first and second magnetoresistive sensor elements and a three lead structure including an inner lead sandwiched between the first and second sensor elements and first and second outer leads. each of the sensor elements includes an antiparallel coupled free layer structure with the free layer of each of the sensor elements preferably being positioned near the inner lead. The three lead structure allows sense current to be supplied to the sensor such that electrons travel first through the free layer of each sensor element and then through the pinned layer structure. | 03-05-2009 |
20090067099 | Magnetoresistive element including layered film touching periphery of spacer layer - An MR element includes an MR stack including a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the first and the second ferromagnetic layer. The MR stack has an outer surface, and the spacer layer has a periphery located in the outer surface of the MR stack. The magnetoresistive element further includes a layered film that touches the periphery of the spacer layer. The spacer layer includes a semiconductor layer formed using an oxide semiconductor as a material. The layered film includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer stacked in this order. The first layer is formed of the same material as the semiconductor layer, and touches the periphery of the spacer layer. The second layer is a metal layer that forms a Schottky barrier at the interface between the first layer and the second layer. The third layer is an insulating layer. | 03-12-2009 |
20090097165 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIUM, MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIUM AND SURFACE TREATMENT APPARATUS - The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium having superior startup operation and durability as well as satisfactory surface lubricity. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in which at least a magnetic layer, a protective film layer and a lubricant layer are sequentially laminated on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein the lubricant layer is surface treated using a gas activated by plasma generated at a pressure in the vicinity of atmospheric pressure. The present invention also relates to a magnetic recording medium produced according to the aforementioned manufacturing method. | 04-16-2009 |
20090097166 | Magnetoresistive element, magnetic head and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus - A magnetoresistive element has a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer separate from each other, the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer each having a magnetization whose direction is substantially pinned, and a non-magnetic conductive layer formed in contact with the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and electrically connecting the first and second magnetic layers, the non-magnetic conductive layer forming a path of spin-polarized electrons from one of the magnetic layer to the other magnetic layer, the non-magnetic conductive layer comprising a portion located between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, the portion being a sensing area. | 04-16-2009 |
20090109577 | MAGNETO-RESISTIVE EFFECT DEVICE OF THE CPP STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC DISK SYSTEM - The invention provides a magneto-resistive effect device of the CPP structure comprising a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer stacked together and formed with the nonmagnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between them. The first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer are magnetically coupled via the nonmagnetic intermediate layer such that the magnetizations of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer are antiparallel with each other, wherein the mutually antiparallel magnetizations of two magnetic layers lie in a medium opposite plane or front to rear direction and in a rear to front direction. The second ferromagnetic layer is divided by a nonmagnetic intervening layer into a front second ferromagnetic layer and a rear second ferromagnetic layer on the way from the front to the rear, and the front second ferromagnetic layer and a front portion of the first ferromagnetic layer located at a position that makes a pair with the front second ferromagnetic layer via the nonmagnetic intermediate layer defines a substantial magnetic sensor portion with a sense current applied to it in a stacking direction. It is thus possible not only to make use of a structure capable of narrowing the read gap (between the upper and the lower shield) to make improvements in linear recording densities thereby meeting recent demands for ultra-high density recording, but also to get around a problem of unneeded information being written on the medium (media) and make the device less likely to be affected by the magnetic field, thereby enhancing the stability of operation of the device itself as well. | 04-30-2009 |
20090116152 | MULTILAYER STITCHED YOKE FOR A HIGH DATA RATE PERPENDICULAR WRITE HEAD - A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording having a write pole that is sandwiched between first and second magnetic shaping layers. The split shaping layers allow a laminated shaping layer structure allows a manufacturable laminated shaping layer to be constructed for improved data rate. One of the magnetic shaping layers can be formed as a laminated structure while that other can be a single layer of electroplated magnetic material. The shaping layers can be separated from the write pole by a thin layer of non-magnetic material to form a laminated interface between the write pole and the shaping layers. These features reduce magnetic domains and also reduce eddy currents which advantageously improves data rate. | 05-07-2009 |
20090135526 | Magnetoresistive Device - The device comprises two magnetoresistive elements ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090135527 | MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIA AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME - A magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium are provided. In order to increase the recording density of the magnetic recording medium, the magnetic recording medium is configured to multiple magnetic layers by consecutively forming a first magnetic layer having a thin film shape and a second magnetic layer comprising patterned magnetic bits. The first magnetic layer has a magnetic anisotropic coefficient greater than that of the second magnetic layer. | 05-28-2009 |
20090154025 | SCISSORING-TYPE CURRENT-PERPENDICULAR-TO-THE-PLANE (CPP) MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR WITH FREE LAYERS HAVING ETCH-INDUCED UNIAXIAL MAGNETIC ANISOTROPY - A “scissoring-type” current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor with dual ferromagnetic sensing or free layers separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer has improved stability as a result of etch-induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in each of the free layers. Each of the two ferromagnetic free layers has an etch-induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and an in-plane magnetic moment substantially parallel to its uniaxial anisotropy in the quiescent state, i.e., the absence of an applied magnetic field. The etch-induced uniaxial anisotropy of each of the free layers is achieved either by direct ion etching of each of the free layers, and/or by ion etching of the layer on which each of the free layers is deposited. A strong magnetic anisotropy is induced in the free layers by the etching, which favors generally orthogonal orientation of the two free layers in the quiescent state. | 06-18-2009 |
20090161262 | Three terminal magnetic sensing device having a track width defined in a localized region by a patterned insulator and methods of making the same - A three terminal magnetic sensing device (TTM) having a trackwidth defined in a localized region by a patterned insulator, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. In one illustrative example, one or more first sensor layers (e.g. which includes a “base” layer) are formed over a collector substrate. A patterned insulator which defines a central opening exposing a top layer of the one or more first sensor layers is then formed. The central opening has a width for defining a trackwidth (TW) of the TTM. Next, one or more second sensor layers are formed over the top layer of the one or more first sensor layers through the central opening of the patterned insulator. The one or more second sensor layers may include a tunnel barrier layer formed in contact with the top layer of the one or more first sensor layers, as well as an “emitter” layer. Various embodiments and techniques are provided. | 06-25-2009 |
20090168255 | METHOD OF REPAIRING THE DETERIORATION OF MAGNETO-RESISTIVE EFFECT DEVICE - The invention provides a method for fixing up the deterioration of a magneto-resistive effect device. A hard disk system is provided in it with a head heating means for heating a thin-film magnetic head, and by that head heating means, a defective site of the magneto-resistive effect device, which occurs as the hard disk system is in operation and is confined in a quasi-stable state, is fixed up in such a way as to return back to its own normal stable state. Thus, the deteriorated site of the magneto-resistive effect device (reproducing device) in the thin-film magnetic head, which is caused by the so-called thermal asperity as the hard disk system is in operation, is fixed up while it remains built in the hard disk system, i.e., without dismantling the hard disk system. | 07-02-2009 |
20090185314 | THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD WITH GROOVES ON MEDIUM-OPPOSED SURFACE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE HEAD - Provided is a thin-film magnetic head that can be adequately contacted with the magnetic recording medium, and thus, can perform read and write operations sufficiently and stably. This head comprises: at least one magnetic head element for reading and/or writing data, formed on/above an element formation surface of a substrate; an overcoat layer formed so as to cover the at least one magnetic head element; and a closure adhered on at least a portion of an upper surface of the overcoat layer, wherein a groove, extending in a track width direction, is provided on a medium-opposed surface: in an area on an end surface of the substrate, the area being on a boundary between the substrate and the overcoat layer; or in an area covering end surface portions of the substrate and the overcoat layer, the area thus overlapping the boundary between the substrate and the overcoat layer. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185315 | MAGNETIC SENSOR INCLUDING A FREE LAYER HAVING PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE ANISOTROPY - A magnetic sensor includes a reference layer having a first magnetization direction and a free layer assembly having an effective magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the first magnetization direction and substantially perpendicular to a plane of each layer of the free layer assembly. A spacer layer is between the reference layer and the free layer, and a signal enhancement layer is exchange coupled to the free layer assembly on a side opposite the spacer layer. | 07-23-2009 |
20090190268 | MAGNETORESISTIVE DEVICE OF THE CPP TYPE, AND MAGNETIC DISK SYSTEM - A magnetoresistive device of a CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure includes a magnetoresistive unit sandwiched between a first substantially soft magnetic shield layer from below, and a second substantially soft magnetic shield layer from above, with a sense current applied in a stacking direction. The magnetoresistive unit includes a non-magnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between a first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer. At least one of the first and second shield layers is configured in a window frame of a planar shape, including a front frame-constituting portion and a back frame-constituting portion partially comprising a combination of a nonmagnetic gap layer with a bias magnetic field-applying layer. The combination of the nonmagnetic gap layer with the bias magnetic field-applying layer forms a closed magnetic path with magnetic flux going all the way around the window framework, turning the magnetization of the front frame-constituting portion into a single domain. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190269 | SELF-ALIGNED COPLANAR STRUCTURE FOR NARROW-TRACK EMR DEVICES AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - An extraordinary magnetoresistive sensor (EMR sensor) having a lead structure that is self aligned with a magnetic shunt structure. To form an EMR sensor according to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of layers are deposited to form quantum well structure such as a two dimensional electron gas structure (2DEG). A first mask structure is deposited having two openings, and a material removal process is performed to remove portions of the sensor material from areas exposed by the openings. The distance between the two openings in the first mask defines a distance between a set of leads and the shunt structure. A non-magnetic metal is then deposited. A second mask structure is then formed to define shape of the leads. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190270 | MAGNETO-RESISTIVE EFFECT DEVICE OF THE CPP TYPE, AND MAGNETIC DISK SYSTEM - The invention provides a magnetoresistive device with the CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure, comprising a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer stacked and formed with said nonmagnetic intermediate layer interposed between them, with a sense current applied in the stacking direction, wherein each of said first and second ferromagnetic layers comprises a sensor area joining to the nonmagnetic intermediate layer near a medium opposite plane and a magnetization direction control area that extends further rearward (toward the depth side) from the position of the rear end of said nonmagnetic intermediate layer; a magnetization direction control multilayer arrangement is interposed at an area where the magnetization direction control area for said first ferromagnetic layer is opposite to the magnetization direction control area for said second ferromagnetic layer in such a way that the magnetizations of the said first and second ferromagnetic layers are antiparallel with each other along the width direction axis; and said sensor area is provided at both width direction ends with biasing layers working such that the mutually antiparallel magnetizations of said first and second ferromagnetic layers intersect in substantially orthogonal directions. It is thus possible to obtain a magnetoresistive device that, while the magnetization directions of two magnetic layers (free layers) stay stabilized, can have high reliability, and can improve linear recording densities by the adoption of a structure capable of narrowing the read gap (the gap between the upper and lower shields) thereby meeting recent demands for ultra-high recording densities. | 07-30-2009 |
20090195939 | OPTIMIZATION OF TWO DIMENSIONAL ELECTRON GAS STRUCTURES FOR MAGNETIC RECORDING SENSORS - A Lorentz Magnetoresistive sensor having an ultrathin trapping layer disposed between a quantum well structure and a surface of the sensor. The trapping layer prevents charge carriers from the surface of the sensor from affecting the quantum well structure. This allows the quantum well structure to be formed much closer to the surface of the sensor, and therefore, much closer to the magnetic field source, greatly improving sensor performance. A Lorentz Magnetoresistive sensor having a top gate electrode to hinder surface charge carriers diffusing into the quantum well, said top gate electrode being either a highly conductive ultrathin patterned metal layer or a patterned monoatomic layer of graphene. | 08-06-2009 |
20090257149 | MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR WITH SUB-LAYERING OF PINNED LAYERS - Methods and apparatus provide magnetoresistance sensors. A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor may include configurations that are arranged as a top TMR stack. One of two antiparallel layers of pinned layers within the TMR stack may be subdivided by a spacer layer. Tantalum may form the spacer layer that is inserted in a reference layer, which is one of the pinned layers and is located between a barrier layer and an antiparallel coupling layer that enables antiparallel coupling between the reference layer and a keeper layer of the pinned layers. The barrier layer deposited on a free layer of the TMR stacks separates the pinned layers from the free layer such that TMR effects are detectable with the sensors. | 10-15-2009 |
20090268349 | Magnetic structure including two ferromagnetically coupled magnetic layers and method of manufacturing same - A magnetic structure includes a first magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic insulating layer, a nonmagnetic adhesion layer disposed on the top surfaces of the first magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic insulating layer, and a second magnetic layer disposed on the nonmagnetic adhesion layer. The nonmagnetic insulating layer contains an oxygen atom. The nonmagnetic adhesion layer is composed of one element or a plurality of elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Si and nonmagnetic transition metal elements except Ru, and the bond enthalpy of a diatomic molecule composed of an atom of the one element or each of the plurality of elements and an oxygen atom is 400 kJ/mol or higher. The nonmagnetic adhesion layer has a thickness within a range of 0.3 to 0.8 nm. The first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer are ferromagnetically coupled to each other. | 10-29-2009 |
20090279212 | Two-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor with Multiple Pinning Directions - A fabrication process and apparatus provide a high-performance magnetic field sensor ( | 11-12-2009 |
20090284873 | CURRENT PERPENDICULAR TO PLANE MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR EMPLOYING HALF METAL ALLOYS FOR IMPROVED SENSOR PERFORMANCE - A magnetoresistive sensor having employing a Mn containing Huesler alloy for improved magnetoresistive performance in a structure that minimizes corrosion and Mn migration. The sensor can be constructed with a pinned layer structure that includes a lamination of layers of Co | 11-19-2009 |
20090290266 | Spin Valve Magnetoresistive Device With Conductive-Magnetic Material Bridges In A Dielectric Or Semiconductor Layer Alternatively Of Magnetic Material - Magnetoresistive device comprising a spin valve formed from a stack of layers including at least two magnetic layers for which a relative orientation of their magnetisation directions are capable varying under influence of a magnetic field; at least one discontinuous dielectric or semiconducting layer with electrically conducting bridges at least partially passing through a thickness of the dielectric or semiconducting layer, the bridges configured to locally concentrate current that passes transversely through the stack; and means for circulating a current in the spin valve transverse to the plane of the layers, characterised in that the dielectric or semiconducting layer with electrically conducting bridges is arranged inside one of the magnetic layers. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290267 | Magnetic Recording and Reproducing Apparatus with Thin-Film Magnetic Head Having Microwave Magnetic Exciting Function - A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus with a thin-film magnetic head having microwave magnetic exciting function, includes a metal housing, a magnetic recording medium, arranged in the metal housing, having a magnetic recording layer, and a thin-film magnetic head, arranged in the metal housing, having a write magnetic field production unit and a resonance magnetic field production unit. The write magnetic field production unit produces, in response to a write signal, a write magnetic field to be applied into the magnetic recording layer, and the resonance magnetic field production unit produces, in response to a microwave excitation signal, a resonance magnetic field with a frequency equal to or in a range near a ferromagnetic resonance frequency F | 11-26-2009 |
20100053818 | CURRENT PERPENDICULAR TO PLANE DIFFERENTIAL MAGNETORESISTANCE READ HEAD DESIGN USING A CURRENT CONFINEMENT STRUCTURE PROXIMAL TO AN AIR BEARING SURFACE - A current to perpendicular to plane (CPP) differential magnetoresistance (DMR) read head using current confinement proximal to an air bearing surface (ABS) is disclosed. The CPP DMR read head includes a first electrically conductive lead, a first MR sensor formed on the first lead, and a non-magnetic electrically conductive spacer formed on the first MR sensor proximate to the ABS. The CPP DMR read head further includes insulating material on the first MR sensor distal to the ABS. A second MR sensor is formed in contact with the conductive spacer such that the second MR sensor is in electrical contact with the first MR sensor proximate to the ABS and is electrically isolated from the first MR sensor distal to the ABS. A second electrically conductive lead is in contact with the second MR sensor. Sense current injected into the first and the second MR sensor is confined proximate to the ABS. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053819 | Thin film magnetic head, magnetic head slider, head gimbal assembly, head arm assembly, magnetic disk device and method of manufacturing thin film magnetic head - The invention is devised to provide a method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head including a magnetoresistive element having higher reading performance. In manufacturing the thin film magnetic head, after forming an MR element | 03-04-2010 |
20100208391 | Lapping Guides For Magnetic Recording Heads - A method includes: fabricating a wafer having a plurality of layers, each including a feature of interest and a lapping guide positioned at a known location relative to the feature of interest, wherein the feature of interest and the lapping guide cross a common plane; lapping the wafer to the common plane to expose portions of the lapping guides; and measuring dimensions of the lapping guides and an offset of the lapping guides with respect to each other. An apparatus constructed using the method is also included. | 08-19-2010 |