Magnetic recording heads having one or more dusting layers for magnetic recording devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to magnetic recording heads (e.g., magnetic write heads) for magnetic recording devices (e.g., hard disk drives (HDD's)). A magnetic recording head includes, in a gap between a write pole and a trailing shield: a spin polarization layer (SPL), a free layer, and a spacer layer between the SPL and free layer. A spin torque layer (STL) is additionally included, and is separated from the free layer by a barrier layer that reduces or eliminates spin torque between the free layer and the STL. In one or more embodiments, to enable a thinner barrier layer, one or more dusting layers are inserted between the write pole and the trailing shield, and the one or more dusting layers are each formed of iron-chromium (FeCr). This helps maintain a thinner or narrower material stack in the gap and enhances writer performance.