Abstract: By forming a step in a lower core layer, the distance between the upper surface of a Gd-defining layer and the lower core layer is changed stepwise. Consequently, the distance between an upper magnetic pole layer formed on the upper surface of the Gd-defining layer and the lower core layer is small in the front region of the lower core layer, and thus a leakage magnetic field from the upper magnetic pole layer is absorbed by the lower core layer and is not applied to a recording medium.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head has a second lower core layer sandwiched between a magnetic pole laminate, which is formed of a lower magnetic pole layer, a gap layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer laminated in this order from bottom to top, and a first lower core layer. Unlike a conventional thin-film magnetic head, this thin-film magnetic head does not include a gap depth defining layer. This arrangement makes it possible to easily form the magnetic pole laminate into a substantially rectangular shape, and solves the problems with the conventional thin-film magnetic head attributable to the presence of the gap depth defining layer, the problems being typically represented by a curved gap layer or a reduced volume of the upper magnetic pole layer. Thus, the intensity of a recording magnetic field in the vicinity of a gap can be stabilized and increased, allowing the manufacture of thin-film magnetic heads capable of successfully achieving narrower tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a plurality of coil elements disposed in a space defined by a lower core layer, a pole layer, and a back gap layer. A coil insulator fills the space so as to cover the coil elements. The top face of the pole layer, the top face of the coil insulator, the top faces of the coil elements, and the top face of the back gap layer form a planarized plane. The coil elements are disposed on a recess formed on the lower core layer. The bottom faces of the coil elements are disposed at substantially the same height as the top face of the lower core layer. The top faces of the coil elements lie in the planarized plane.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a lower core layer, a gap layer formed on the lower core layer with a lower pole layer therebetween, an upper pole layer formed on the gap layer, an upper core layer formed on the upper pole layer, and a Gd-defining layer for defining the depth in the height direction of the joint surface between the gap layer and the upper pole layer. The width in the track width direction of the gap layer is smaller than or equal to the width in the track width direction of the upper pole layer when viewed from the surface facing the recording medium. By employing such a thin-film magnetic head, the width in the track width direction of the gap layer can be decreased, and thus track narrowing is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spherical bearing with good endurance and high resistance to scratching on the convex spherical body of the inner retaining piece even when in long-term sliding contact with a polytetrafluoroethylene-based liner. A spherical bearing comprising an outer retaining piece forming a sliding surface in the form of a concave spherical surface having a polytetrafluoroethylene-based liner on the race inner peripheral surface is disclosed. An inner retaining piece of the spherical bearing is held by the outer retaining piece and has an outer peripheral surface in the form of a convex spherical surface that is in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the outer retaining piece. The convex spherical surface of the inner retaining piece has a uniform thin-film layer of a TiAlN compound.

Abstract: In a thin-film magnetic head having a multilayered film developing a magnetoresistive effect, which is present between an upper shielding layer and a lower shielding layer both formed above an AlTiC substrate, a recess for defining the lower shielding layer is formed in an underlayer present on a surface of the AlTiC substrate, and a lower shielding layer made of NiFe is provided in the recess. A SiO2 film is interposed between the underlayer and the lower shielding layer.

Abstract: In a thin-film magnetic head having a multilayered film developing a magnetoresistive effect, which is present between an upper shielding layer and a lower shielding layer both formed above an AlTiC substrate, a recess for defining the lower shielding layer is formed in an underlayer present on a surface of the AlTiC substrate, and a lower shielding layer made of NiFe is provided in the recess. A SiO2 film is interposed between the underlayer and the lower shielding layer.

Abstract: The thermosetting resin composition which is valuable for an undercoat of a printed wiring board, and does not leave an air bubble in a cured film, and makes the surface polishing easy and can form a smooth printed wiring board comprises (I) an adduct of epoxy resin with unsaturated aliphatic acid, (II) a (meth) acrylate, (III) a radical polymerization initiator, (IV) a crystallizable epoxy resin, and (V) a latent curing agent.

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: An alkaline battery is configured using a positive electrode for an alkaline battery containing a positive active material that contains nickel oxyhydroxide, wherein a surface of the nickel oxyhydroxide is covered with a cobalt compound, an electric potential of the nickel oxyhydroxide is in a range of 0.320 to 0.375 V with respect to a Hg/HgO reference electrode, and a content of the nickel oxyhydroxide is at least 35 wt % with respect to the positive active material. According to this configuration, an alkaline battery can be provided, which has excellent heavy-load discharging characteristics and storage characteristics at a high temperature, and has less degradation of characteristics. Furthermore, it is desirable to combine this positive electrode with a negative electrode containing minute zinc particles in at least a predetermined proportion.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, a connecting layer which connects the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core, a toroidal coil layer, and a shielding layer. The connecting layer extends in the height direction so as to face the back side in the height direction of the shielding layer. Alternatively, the width in the track width direction of the connecting layer is larger than the width in the track width direction of the toroidal coil layer. Consequently, the volume of the connecting layer is increased, and thereby the heat capacity is increased. Heat generated in the thin-film magnetic head can be properly dissipated via the connecting layer, and an increase in the temperature inside the thin-film magnetic head can be prevented. As a result, protrusion of the thin-film magnetic head due to thermal expansion can be prevented.

Abstract: A first metal layer formed of the same conductive material as that for first coil pieces is in contact with a lower core layer forming a first magnetic core, and a second metal layer formed of the same conductive material as that for second coil pieces is in contact with an upper core layer forming a second magnetic core. The first metal layer extends parallel with the upper surface of the lower core layer in a height direction, and the second metal layer extends parallel with the upper surface of the upper core layer in the height direction. Since heat generated inside a thin film magnetic head can be appropriately dissipated to the first metal layer or the second metal layer, increase in temperature inside the thin film magnetic head can be suppressed, and as a result, protrusion of the thin film magnetic head can be suppressed which is caused by the thermal expansion thereof.

Abstract: By forming a rearmost second coil piece so as to have a larger width in the track-width direction and a larger area than those of coil pieces, heat generated in a thin-film magnetic head can be effectively released to the rearmost coil piece. Thus, a temperature rise in the thin-film magnetic recording head can be further reduced than is possible today, thereby preventing the thin-film magnetic head from protrusion due to its thermal expansion.

Abstract: The thermosetting resin composition which is valuable for an undercoat of a printed wiring board, and does not leave an air bubble in a cured film, and makes the surface polishing easy and can form a smooth printed wiring board comprises (I) an adduct of epoxy resin with unsaturated aliphatic acid, (II) a (meth) arcylate, (III) a radical polymerization initiator, (IV) a crystallizable epoxy resin, and (V) a latent curing agent.

Abstract: A recording thin-film magnetic head includes a gap-depth defining layer, lower magnetic pole layers and gap layers on the front and rear sides of the gap-depth defining layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer. The entire top surface of the gap-depth defining layer is covered with a first seed layer. The rear end surfaces of the lower magnetic pole layer and the gap layer on the front side are in contact with the front end surface of the gap-depth defining layer. The upper magnetic pole layer is formed on the gap layers by plating.

Abstract: A plurality of first coil segments is formed in a space encompassed by a lower core layer, a protuberant layer, and a back gap layer, and a magnetic pole layer is deposited on the first coil segments. Ends of adjacent first coil segments are connected through the intermediary of a plurality of second coil segments formed on the magnetic pole layer so as to form a helical coil layer. The upper surfaces of the protuberant layer, the first coil segments, and the back gap layer are formed to be a continuous planarized surface. A Gd-determining layer made of an insulating material is formed on the planarized surface such that it covers the upper surfaces of the first coil segments. The Gd-determining layer serves also as an insulating layer that isolates the first coil segments and the magnetic pole layer.

Abstract: Within a space surrounded by a lower core layer, an upheaval layer, and a back gap layer, there are a plurality of first coil pieces arranged in a height direction and covered with a coil insulating layer. On the coil insulating layer, the upheaval layer, and a layered product formed on the back gap layer, a plurality of second coil pieces are arranged in the height direction with an insulating layer therebetween. Between the lower core layer and the first coil pieces, raised layers are formed, and the first coil pieces are in contact with the second coil pieces on connection surfaces exposed from the coil insulating layer on the raised layers.

Abstract: A lower shield layer is formed by being embedded in a first recess formed in an under layer. Accordingly, the distance between the lower shield layer and a slider can be reduced. Also, a second metal layer is formed from above a gap layer covering an electrode extracting layer over above the under layer hindwards therefrom. Accordingly, the second metal layer can be brought closer to the slider side than an upper shield layer. Consequently, the thermal dissipation effects of the thin-film magnetic head can be improved.

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: In a thin film magnetic head, a face surface faces a recording medium and a front surface of an upper core layer is a curved surface which gradually retreats in a height direction generally perpendicular to the face surface as it approaches both sides thereof, and the thickness of the upper core layer gradually increases in the height direction. It is thus possible to appropriately suppress the occurrence of side fringing, efficiently cause a magnetic flux to flow from the upper core layer to an upper pole layer, and make the thin film magnetic head adaptable to a higher recording density.