Carbon overcoat for a slider with improved step coverage

Abstract

A method is provided for applying an overcoat to a slider and sensitive elements of a magnetic head which has improved coverage, reduced spacing loss and improved corrosion resistance. After lapping, an overcoat material is sputter deposited on the air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider, followed by a step of sputter etching the overcoat. The sputter etching redeposits material from high points on the slider and fills in trenches formed during the lapping process. The redeposition of the overcoat from the high places to the low places of the slider decreases the overall thickness of the overcoat, thereby decreasing spacing loss. The filling of the trenches implements increased coverage which increases wear resistance of the slider and more adequately protects the sensitive elements of the magnetic head from corrosion. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the overcoat is left on the high places to ensure that the sputter etching does not damage the sensitive elements of the magnetic head. If the overcoat is completely etched from the high places an optional second overcoat may be applied which is thinner than the first overcoat. This method may also be applied to other articles such as a magnetic disk.