Abstract: A magnetic head for use in a magnetic disk drive and for recording and reproducing data to and from adjacent magnetic disks, the magnetic head being in contact with the magnetic disks while the adjacent magnetic disks spin, a magnetic head core included in the magnetic head and affixed to a free end of a head support has a recording/reproducing function on each of opposite major surfaces thereof, wherein the major surfaces respectively face recording surfaces of the adjacent magnetic disks. The head core is symmetrical with respect to a plane containing the center of the head core and parallel to the recording surfaces of the adjacent disks. Each major surface of the head core records and reproduces data to and from the adjacent disks and slidingly contacts the surface of one of the adjacent disks. An elastic body intervenes between the opposite major surfaces of the head core.

Abstract: A magnetic disk medium is improved in recording density by reducing strain within a protective layer caused by interaction between the magnetic layer and the protective layer. The invention provides a magnetic disk medium for recording information, including a substrate made of a non-magnetic material; a magnetic layer formed on the substrate; a buffer layer formed on the magnetic layer, the buffer being made of at least one of Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Mo, and a protective layer formed on the buffer layer.