Micromagnetic simulation of various pole-tip design perpendicular magnetic recording heads

Abstract

We have studied the magnetization configuration of various pole-tip design perpendicular magnetic recording heads by using finite element method (FEM) based micromagnetic simulation. Taper pole has larger head field of 13%–25% than nontaper pole and delivers better gradient because the magnetization of the main pole becomes more perpendicular to the air bearing surface (ABS) and an increase in magnetic charge is observed not only at the ABS but also at the slope region. Side shield has less fringing field in the cross-track direction but the field profile is not as simple as the conventional FEM result. The side shield has a complex domain configuration around the edge, which is difficult to switch in polarity via write current excitation, differing from the trailing-shield situation. The magnetic charge of the side-shield wall induces off-track peaks of the fringing field, and so it must be minimized to optimize the side-shield structure.