Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a magnetoresistive film and a pair of electrodes for applying a sense current substantially perpendicularly to the magnetoresistive film. The magnetoresistive film includes a magnetization pinned film including a first ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization direction substantially pinned in one direction, a magnetization free film including a second ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction changes in accordance with an external magnetic field applied thereto, an intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned film and the magnetization free film and having an insulating film and a metal conduction portion extending in the film thickness direction of the insulating film, and a layer containing an electrovalent or covalent compound formed near the metal conduction portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a CCP-CPP-GMR head assembly which has: a CCP-CPP-GMR head that includes at least a current control layer having as a microstructure a plurality of truncated cone electric conductors with axes the same as a current direction and an insulator filling between the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors, and in which a surface on which a larger-area basal plane of the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors is greater in number is a first surface of the current control layer and a surface of an opposite side of the first surface is a second surface of the current control layer; and a sense current source providing the CCP-CPP-GMR head with a sense current that flows from the second surface to the first surface, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having such a head, and a specification method of an appropriate sense current direction of the CCP-CPP-GMR head.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element of the dual spin valve type using a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) system where a sensing current flows perpendicular to the stacked faces of a plurality of conductive layers, the magnetoresistance effect element comprises a first unit which includes a free layer and a first pinning layer, a second unit which includes the free layer shared with the first unit and a second pinning layer, a first current control layer which is provided in the first unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current, and a second current control layer which is provided in the second unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element of the dual spin valve type using a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) system where a sensing current flows perpendicular to the stacked faces of a plurality of conductive layers, the magnetoresistance effect element comprises a first unit which includes a free layer and a first pinning layer, a second unit which includes the free layer shared with the first unit and a second pinning layer, a first current control layer which is provided in the first unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current, and a second current control layer which is provided in the second unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element of the dual spin valve type using a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) system where a sensing current flows perpendicular to the stacked faces of a plurality of conductive layers, the magnetoresistance effect element comprises a first unit which includes a free layer and a first pinning layer, a second unit which includes the free layer shared with the first unit and a second pinning layer, a first current control layer which is provided in the first unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current, and a second current control layer which is provided in the second unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current.

Abstract: Disclosed is a CCP-CPP-GMR head assembly which has: a CCP-CPP-GMR head that includes at least a current control layer having as a microstructure a plurality of truncated cone electric conductors with axes the same as a current direction and an insulator filling between the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors, and in which a surface on which a larger-area basal plane of the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors is greater in number is a first surface of the current control layer and a surface of an opposite side of the first surface is a second surface of the current control layer; and a sense current source providing the CCP-CPP-GMR head with a sense current that flows from the second surface to the first surface, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having such a head, and a specification method of an appropriate sense current direction of the CCP-CPP-GMR head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a CCP-CPP-GMR head assembly which has: a CCP-CPP-GMR head that includes at least a current control layer having as a microstructure a plurality of truncated cone electric conductors with axes the same as a current direction and an insulator filling between the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors, and in which a surface on which a larger-area basal plane of the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors is greater in number is a first surface of the current control layer and a surface of an opposite side of the first surface is a second surface of the current control layer; and a sense current source providing the CCP-CPP-GMR head with a sense current that flows from the second surface to the first surface, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having such a head, and a specification method of an appropriate sense current direction of the CCP-CPP-GMR head.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film having a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer. A magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer is substantially fixed in an external magnetic field, a magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer is configured to change in the external magnetic field, and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer and has a stacked structure of a first non-metallic intermediate layer/a metal intermediate layer/a second non-metallic intermediate layer. The magnetoresistive element also includes a pair of electrodes coupled to the magnetoresistive film and is configured to provide a current in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the magnetoresistive film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head, a magnetic reproducing head, a magnetic recording apparatus comprising the magnetic recording head, and a magnetic reproducing apparatus comprising the magnetic reproducing head are described. The magnetic reproducing head having a magnetic gap at a medium-facing surface and includes a pair of magnetic yokes of ferromagnetic material, a magnetoresistance effect film, and a pair of biasing films. One of the pair of magnetic yokes has a magnetic tip at the medium-facing surface and also a rear portion recessed from the medium-facing surface and magnetically coupled to the magnetic tip. The magnetic tip has a first width in a track width direction at the medium-facing surface, and the rear portion has a second width in the track width direction wider than the first width. The magnetoresistance effect film is recessed from the medium-facing surface and is magnetically coupled to the pair of magnetic yokes of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a magnetoresistive film and a pair of electrodes for applying a sense current substantially perpendicularly to the magnetoresistive film. The magnetoresistive film includes a magnetization pinned film including a first ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization direction substantially pinned in one direction, a magnetization free film including a second ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction changes in accordance with an external magnetic field applied thereto, an intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned film and the magnetization free film and having an insulating film and a metal conduction portion extending in the film thickness direction of the insulating film, and a layer containing an electrovalent or covalent compound formed near the metal conduction portion.

Abstract: In a magnetic head having magnetic yoke layers, each magnetic yoke layer includes a yoke projecting portion (2A) projected toward a recording medium, and yoke setback portions (2B) set back from the yoke projecting portion. A first bias magnetic field applying film (5) of an antiferromagnetic material is formed to cover the yoke projecting portion whereas a second bias magnetic field applying film (6) of a ferromagnetic material may be formed on opposite side surfaces of the yoke projecting portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a CCP-CPP-GMR head assembly which has: a CCP-CPP-GMR head that includes at least a current control layer having as a microstructure a plurality of truncated cone electric conductors with axes the same as a current direction and an insulator filling between the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors, and in which a surface on which a larger-area basal plane of the plurality of truncated cone electric conductors is greater in number is a first surface of the current control layer and a surface of an opposite side of the first surface is a second surface of the current control layer; and a sense current source providing the CCP-CPP-GMR head with a sense current that flows from the second surface to the first surface, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having such a head, and a specification method of an appropriate sense current direction of the CCP-CPP-GMR head.

Abstract: A magnetic head is configured by forming a thin-film-shaped magnetic element on top of a thin film that is provided parallel to a medium-facing surface. An aperture is formed in the thin film, and part of a main magnetic pole is formed to have a tip portion that protrudes into that aperture. This configuration makes it possible to impose highly accurate control over the amount by which thin-film-shaped magnetic elements are recessed from the medium-facing surface, while simultaneously exerting accurate control over the amount of protrusion of the main magnetic pole tip portion by making the thickness of the thin film extremely small. As a result, the recording flux strength at the main magnetic pole tip portion can be increased to the ultimate value thereof, making it possible to supply a head that can record on a high retention force medium suitable for higher densities.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element of the dual spin valve type using a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) system where a sensing current flows perpendicular to the stacked faces of a plurality of conductive layers, the magnetoresistance effect element comprises a first unit which includes a free layer and a first pinning layer, a second unit which includes the free layer shared with the first unit and a second pinning layer, a first current control layer which is provided in the first unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current, and a second current control layer which is provided in the second unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current.

Abstract: In a yoke type reproducing magnetic head, a magnetoresistance effect film can be arranged in the vicinity of a medium facing surface, so that sensitivity is improved. The yoke type reproducing magnetic head comprises: a pair of magnetic yokes which face each other via a magnetic gap, at least one of the pair of magnetic yokes extending from a medium facing surface to a position retracted from the medium facing surface; a magnetoresistance effect film which has a curved portion protruding toward the medium facing surface in the magnetic gap and which is magnetically connected to the magnetic yokes; and an electrode which is electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film having a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer. A magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer is substantially fixed in an external magnetic field, a magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer is configured to change in the external magnetic field, and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer and has a stacked structure of a first non-metallic intermediate layer/a metal intermediate layer/a second non-metallic intermediate layer. The magnetoresistive element also includes a pair of electrodes coupled to the magnetoresistive film and is configured to provide a current in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the magnetoresistive film.

Abstract: In a yoke type reproducing magnetic head, a magnetoresistance effect film can be arranged in the vicinity of a medium facing surface, so that sensitivity is improved. The yoke type reproducing magnetic head comprises: a pair of magnetic yokes which face each other via a magnetic gap, at least one of the pair of magnetic yokes extending from a medium facing surface to a position retracted from the medium facing surface; a magnetoresistance effect film which has a curved portion protruding toward the medium facing surface in the magnetic gap and which is magnetically connected to the magnetic yokes; and an electrode which is electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive effect element, at least one of electrodes for supplying a current perpendicularly to the film plane of a magnetoresistive effect film is narrower than the distance between bias-applying films. The sensitivity of the magnetoresistive effect film is lower in regions thereof near the bias-applying films due to an intensive bias magnetic field from the bias-applying films. However, the electrodes are disposed in an inner region having a high sensitivity avoiding those regions with a lower sensitivity to ensure a high sensitivity. The electrodes disposed on and under the magnetoresistive effect film are pillar-shaped to concentrate the sense current such that the sense current can be concentrically supplied exclusively to the region with the high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head which includes a lower write pole having a projection, an upper write pole having a projection opposed to the projection of the lower write pole, and a magnetic gap interposed between the projection of the upper write pole and the projection of the lower write pole, comprising: a first step of making the magnetic gap on the projection of the lower write pole; a second step of making a non-magnetic material layer on the lower write pole, the non-magnetic material layer having a projection on its top surface in positional alignment with the projection of the lower write pole; a third step of making a mask layer on the non-magnetic material layer, the mask layer having an opening in which the top surface of the projection of the non-magnetic material layer is exposed; a fourth step of making a curved recess in the non-magnetic material layer by isotropically etching the non-magnetic material layer through the opening of the mask layer; a fifth step of making an approxim

Abstract: A current perpendicular to plane type magnetoresistive device has a magnetoresistive film, a pair of electrodes which allow a sense current to flow through the magnetoresistive film in a perpendicular direction to the plane thereof, and a biasing film which imparts a biasing magnetic field to the magnetoresistive film in a parallel direction to film plane. The direction of the magnetic field generated by the sense current flowing through the magnetoresistive film in the perpendicular direction to film plane is made substantially anti-parallel to the direction of the biasing magnetic field in a vicinity of a portion of the magnetoresistive film where a signal magnetic flux is introduced.