Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head according to the present invention comprises: a substrate; at least one magnetic head element formed on the substrate; an overcoat multilayer composed of a plurality of overcoat layers, formed on the substrate so as to cover the at least one magnetic head element; and at least one heating element to be heated at least during operation of the at least one magnetic head element, the at least one heating element provided in the overcoat multilayer, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of an overcoat layer located farthest from the substrate in the overcoat multilayer being smaller than a coefficient of thermal expansion of an overcoat layer located closest to the substrate in the overcoat multilayer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a magnetic head driving circuit and a magnetic disk device which achieve a low flying-height with thermal protrusion and thus a reliable write operation on the magnetic disk. The write circuit 3 receives the write data signal Sw inputted therein, and generates and outputs the write voltages Wx, Wy based upon the inputted signal. The write voltages Wx, Wy are composed of a preamble portion T1, a sink mark T2 and a user data portion T3 in each sector for magnetic recording. In the write voltage, the frequency f2 of the signal in the preamble portion T1 is higher than half the frequency f1 of the signal in the user data portion T3.

Abstract: The present invention relate to provide a lapping method and apparatus that increases the yield rate in the magnetic head slider manufacturing process, but does not make output and asymmetry characteristics worse. According to the invention, an apparatus for lapping thin film magnetic heads includes a jig block and a lapping plate. The jig block includes a first jig that holds a bar to be lapped, and second jig that holds a member for load sharing. The lapping plate is movable relative to the first jig and the second jig, and is contactable with the surface to be lapped of the bar held by the first jig and the member for load sharing held by the second jig for lapping.

Abstract: An HGA includes a magnetic head slider provided with at least one thin-film magnetic head element, and a conductive suspension to which the magnetic head slider is fixed. A conductive resistance between the magnetic head slider and the suspension is equal to or higher than 1 M?.

Abstract: In the method of inspecting a thin-film magnetic head, a thin-film magnetic head provided with a magnetoresistive film having a free layer whose magnetization direction changes depending on an external magnetic field and ferromagnetic layers for applying a bias magnetic field to the free layer is prepared. Then, a DC magnetic field is applied to the ferromagnetic layers in the bias magnetic field applying direction. Subsequently, an AC magnetic field is applied to the ferromagnetic layers in the bias magnetic field applying direction. Thereafter, an external magnetic field is applied to the magnetoresistive film while supplying a current thereto, and a property of the thin-film magnetic head such as asymmetry and reproducing output is inspected.