IP Library Granted Patent US 8,070,554
Granted Patent B2
US 8,070,554 · App. 10/990,926 · Granted Dec 6, 2011

Distributed shunt structure for lapping of current perpendicular plane (CPP) heads

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,070,554
App. No.
10/990,926
Granted
Dec 6, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for lapping and fabricating a read/write head is described. The lapping method includes performing a first lapping process on a structure having the read/write head fabricated therein. The first lapping process is for reducing a first resistive region. The first resistive region is located proximal to a surface of the structure. The first lapping process is for achieving a first lapping benchmark. The lapping method further includes performing a second lapping process on a second resistive region. The second lapping process laps at a rate lesser than the first lapping process. The second lapping process is for achieving a second lapping benchmark. The second resistive region is interposed between the first resistive region and the read/write head. The second resistive region has a different resistive value than the second resistive region.

Claims (13)

1. A method for lapping a read/write head comprising:

performing a first lapping process on a structure having said read/write head fabricated therein, said first lapping process providing a course lapping of a first resistive region of said structure, said first lapping process stopping after achieving a first lapping benchmark resistance; and

performing a second and final lapping process on said structure at a second resistive region to expose a sensor coupled with said read/write head, said second lapping process performing a finer lapping at a rate lesser than said first lapping process, said second lapping process stopping said lapping after an exponential increase in said sensor signal amplitude from said sensor coupled with said read/write head is detected, said second resistive region interposed between said first resistive region and said read/write head, said second resistive region having a higher resistive value that said first resistive region.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

ceasing said first lapping process upon reduction of said first resistive region to a desired volume.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

detecting an increase in a sensor amplitude signal during said second lapping, said increase indicating said second lapping benchmark.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising:

ceasing said second lapping upon said detecting said increase in said sensor amplitude signal.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

reducing handling induced electrostatic discharge to a sensor of said read/write head.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

decreasing lapping induced surface damage of a sensor of said read/write head.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2016
From: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 040819/0450 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 25, 2012
From: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES NETHERLANDS B.V.
To: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
Reel/Frame 029341/0777 →