Abstract: A track width regulating section having a track width, which is smaller than the resolution obtained by the wavelength of the light used for exposure and development of a resist, is formed between a lower core layer and an upper core layer. Since the width of the upper core layer is larger than the track width, magnetic saturation can be effectively reduced. Inclined faces are formed on the upper surface of the lower core layer so as to be inclined in directions away from the track width regulating section, thereby adequately preventing write fringing.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head has a lower core layer, an upper core layer, a track width defining portion, and a first coil layer. The first coil layer has a spiral conductive pattern with a predetermined number of turns. The track width defining portion includes a gap layer and at least one of optional upper and lower magnetic pole layers. The first coil layer is provided behind the track width defining portion in the height direction. The upper face of the first coil layer is aligned in a reference plane defined by the interface between the track width defining portion and the upper core layer. The thin-film magnetic head has a decreased magnetic path length and exhibits decreased inductance.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a nonmagnetic conductive layer, first and second ferromagnetic layers which are conductive and which sandwich the nonmagnetic conductive layer, an antiferromagnetic layer magnetically coupled to the first ferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer, a bias layer magnetically coupled to the second ferromagnetic layer for aligning the magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layer in a direction crossing to the magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer, and a pair of electrode layers for applying a sensing current to the first and second ferromagnetic layers and the nonmagnetic conductive layer. The antiferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, the second ferromagnetic layer, and the bias layer are deposited in that order.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a nonmagnetic lower gap layer, a nonmagnetic upper gap layer, a magnetoresistive layer, an electrode layer, and an intermediate gap layer. The magnetoresistive layer and the electrode layer are formed between the lower gap layer and the upper gap layer. The intermediate gap layer is disposed between the lower gap layer and the upper gap layer, and is formed in the region at both sides of the magnetoresistive layer in the track width direction and/or in the region behind the magnetoresistive layer in the depth direction. The length of the magnetoresistive layer in the depth direction is first determined, the width of the magnetoresistive layer in the track width direction is determined, and then the hard magnetic bias layers and the electrode layers are formed.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes an insulating layer having a trench which has a track-width region formed with a track width Tw, and an inclined region having inclined surfaces formed to gradually increase the width dimension of the trench from the track-width region to the surface of the insulating layer. An upper core layer is formed on the inclined surfaces to relieve magnetic flux saturation and suppress the occurrence of write fringing. A lower pole layer, a gap layer, and an upper pole layer are previously formed in the trench of the insulating layer, thereby permitting the formation of a resist layer to a uniform thickness. By using the resist layer, inclined surfaces can be formed in a predetermined shape in the insulating layer with high reproducibility. Therefore, the upper core layer formed on the inclined surfaces can be appropriately separated from the lower pole layer, thereby suppressing the occurrence of write fringing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film magnetic head in which a first coil layer is formed at the back of a track width control portion. The first coil layer being located nearer a bottom core layer than the junction surface of a track width control portion and an upper core layer. With a two-layer structure, the width of the coil layer can be decreased. The height from the top of the bottom core layer to the top of an insulating layer can be decreased. The insulating layer covering a second coil layer can be decreased, thereby shortening the magnetic path and decreasing inductance.

Abstract: A thin-film resistor includes a resistive element with a predetermined length and width deposited on a substrate. An insulator layer is patterned so as to cover all of the resistive element except the ends in the width direction and is tapered. Electrodes are connected to respective ends of the resistive element via a plating base layer. The electrodes have a reduced resistance. The thin-film resistor can exhibit high accuracy and a small range of variation of the resistance.

Abstract: The inner side end faces of electrode layers are formed in a region under which bias layers are not formed, to be located behind a magnetoresistive film in the height direction. Therefore, a sensing current flowing from the electrode layers can be appropriately inhibited from shunting to the bias layers, thereby permitting the manufacture of a magnetic sensing element capable of complying with track narrowing and suppressing variations in the track width Tw.

Abstract: A coil layer as an electrically conductive thin-film of a thin-film device comprises a copper layer as an electrically conductive material layer and a nickel layer as an electrically conductive protective layer composed of a material, in which an oxide layer formed on the material grows to a thickness of not more than a predetermined thickness. Consequently, the thickness of the oxide layer can be predicted and the oxide layer can be reliably removed by ion-milling or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film magnetic head in which a first coil layer is formed at the back of a track width control portion. The first coil layer being located nearer a bottom core layer than the junction surface of a track width control portion and an upper core layer. With a two-layer structure, the width of the coil layer can be decreased. The height from the top of the bottom core layer to the top of an insulating layer can be decreased. The insulating layer covering a second coil layer can be decreased, thereby shortening the magnetic path and decreasing inductance.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head of the present invention having a small gap depth has a lower magnetic pole section including a front portion close to a face of the head opposing a recording medium, the front portion having two side faces flush with two side faces of an upper magnetic core layer formed above the lower magnetic pole section. The lower magnetic pole section does not protrude from the two sides of the upper magnetic pole layer. According to this structure, side writing can be suitably prevented while decreasing the gap depth, and a thin-magnetic head having superior write characteristics can be provided.

Abstract: According as the gap layer formed between the magnetoresistive effect element and the shielding layer becomes smaller along with the recent tendency toward a higher recording density, the electrode layer of the magnetoresistive effect element and the shielding layer have been electrically connected, and this has caused a deterioration of the reproduction property. An insulating layer is formed under an electrode layer of a magnetoresistive effect element interposed a lower gap layer therebetween. As a result, the distance between the electrode layer and the lower shielding layer becomes longer, thus permitting maintenance of a satisfactory electrical insulation.

Abstract: In a thin-film structure, since a flat face of a bump, which is exposed at the surface of an insulating layer and is to be in contact with an electrode layer, is an exposed surface of a nickel layer, an oxide layer on the flat face can be reliably removed by using ion-milling or sputter etching.

Abstract: Disclosed is a planar light-emitting display panel device of the edge-lighting type used for demonstration of an image of painting, photograph or commercial product for the purpose of decoration or advertisement, in which the image-bearing transparency can be easily replaced with another.

Abstract: The upper face of a lower core layer is planarized by polishing, and a lower magnetic pole layer, a gap layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer are deposited in that order on the lower core layer so that the lower core layer connects to the lower magnetic pole layer. The lower magnetic pole layer, the gap layer, and the upper magnetic pole layer are partly removed using a mask layer, and an insulating layer is deposited on the removed portion to form a main portion and an adjoining portion of a groove. A gap depth Gd is formed in the upper magnetic pole layer, and an back insulating layer is formed on the gap layer in a back region. An upper core layer is formed so as to connect to the upper magnetic pole layer and to partly cover a coil in the magnetic pole end region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film magnetic head having a recording track width of 1 &mgr;m or less, and a method for manufacturing the thin film magnetic head having a recording track width of 1 &mgr;m or less. In the thin film magnetic head, an upper core layer and a lower core layer extend from a back region toward a magnetic pole tip region, and are exposed at a medium opposing surface, and a gap layer is provided, in the magnetic pole tip region, between the upper core layer and the lower core layer. An insulation layer is deposited on the lower core layer, and a groove that extends from the medium opposing surface toward the back region is provided in the magnetic pole tip region of the insulation layer. A lower magnetic pole layer, the gap layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer are deposited in the groove. The lower magnetic pole layer is joined to the lower core layer, while the upper magnetic pole layer is joined to the upper core layer.

Abstract: A coil layer is patterned directly on an insulation layer formed on a lower core layer. This can decrease the height dimension from the top of a top pole layer to the top of a coil insulation layer as compared with a conventional example, thereby permitting precise patterning of an upper core layer.

Abstract: Assuming that a distance between an upper shield layer and a lower shield layer in an area, which overlaps only a first electrode layer, but does not overlap a second electrode layer, is G1s, and a distance between the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer at a position in alignment with a center of a multilayered film is G1c, a difference in value between G1s and G1c is set to be not larger than a predetermined value, whereby an effective track (read) width can be reduced.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes an upper core layer and a lower core layer, extending from a back region to a magnetic pole region, and ends thereof being disposed at a medium-opposing face; a gap layer disposed in the magnetic pole region between the upper core layer and the lower core layer; a groove formed in an insulating layer formed on the lower core layer, the groove extending from the medium-opposing face in the magnetic pole region to the back region; and a lower magnetic pole layer, the gap layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer in the groove.

Abstract: A monitor element includes electrode layers each having a front end region and a back end region extended from the front end region in the track width direction. Therefore, the width dimension of the front end region in the ABS can be set to a smaller value than conventional elements, and the height controlling process can be performed while appropriately measuring the DC resistance value of the monitor element. A magnetoresistive element also includes electrode layers having the same shape, thereby suppressing the occurrence of smearing in a thin film magnetic head, and permitting manufacture with high yield.