Abstract: A reproducing head of a thin-film magnetic head incorporates an MR element, a pair of bias field applying layers located to be adjacent to side portions of the MR element, and a pair of electrode layers that are located on the bias field applying layers and overlap the MR element. The electrode layers each have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer is laid over part of the top surface of the MR element via a protection layer, the second layer overlaps the first layer, and the third layer is located on the second layer. The second layer is thinner than the third layer. In the method of manufacturing the reproducing head, after the protection layer is formed on an element-to-be film to make the MR element, a first electrode-to-be film to make the first layers is formed continuously without interposing a step of exposing the protection layer to the air.

Abstract: A write gap film and a first magnetic material film are formed on a bottom pole, a first non-magnetic film is formed in a space formed by etching a portion of the first magnetic material film other than a portion extending from an air bearing surface to a throat height zero reference position to constitute a flat coplanar surface with the first magnetic material film, a second magnetic material film is formed on the flat coplanar surface, a two-layer track pole consisting of a top track pole and a bottom track pole is formed in a self-aligned manner by removing by RIE the second magnetic material film, first magnetic material film, write gap film and a part of the bottom pole, a second non-magnetic material film is formed to have a flat coplanar surface with the top track pole, and a thin film coil is formed on the flat coplanar surface.