Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a lower core layer; a recording core formed on the lower core layer and exposed at a face surface facing a recording medium, the recording core including a gap layer, an upper pole layer, and optionally, a lower pole layer; an upper core layer magnetically coupled to the upper pole layer; and a coil. A tip surface of the upper core layer at the face surface is set back from the face surface in the height direction, and the tip surface is an inclined surface or a curved surface in which the depth gradually increases from the track width direction. A method for fabricating a thin-film magnetic head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gap depth determining insulating layer is formed on a lower core layer. A curved face is formed on a front edge face of the gap depth determining insulating layer so as to gradually depart from an ABS surface from the bottom at the lower core layer to the top of the curved face. A back end of an upper magnetic layer can be formed on the gap depth determining insulating layer, whereby the volume of the upper magnetic layer can be increased while a gap depth is maintained at a predetermined length.