Abstract: An object is to provide a Raman scattering light enhancing device that provides a sufficiently high Raman scattering light enhancing effect and produces a highly sensitive Raman signal even by using an excitation light source having a low energy density. This Raman scattering light enhancing device includes a substrate, a high reflection layer that is formed on the substrate, a dielectric layer that is formed on the high reflection layer, and an enhanced electromagnetic field formation layer that is formed on the dielectric layer and includes a large number of fine silver particles. A gold film is formed on surfaces of the fine silver particles constituting the enhanced electromagnetic field formation layer.

Abstract: There is provided a method for efficiently manufacturing metal nano particles without condensing laser beams by using a lens etc. In this method, first, metallic foil pieces, which are a starting material, are dispersed in a dispersion liquid. Next, laser beams are irradiated directly to the metallic foil pieces without providing a condensing means, by which many metal fine particles are yielded. The particle diameters of the metal fine particles obtained can be controlled to sizes from nano particles to submicron particles by utilizing the relationship between the shape (especially thickness) of the metallic foil piece which is a starting material and the absorbed energy of the laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanowire production method that is simpler than conventional nanowire production methods, and that makes it easier to control the size and shape of the nanowires by using a technique completely different from the conventional ones. A powder particle containing a metal element is divided into nanometer-size wires containing the metal element by irradiating a suspension of the powder particles with a femtosecond laser. The present invention also makes it possible to divide the nanometer-size wires thus formed into nanometer-size particles containing the metal element by irradiating further the nanometer-size wires with the femtosecond laser.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises a reproducing element formed on an undercoat film on a head substrate surface, a recording element formed on the upper side of the reproducing element, and a heater formed on the upper or lower side of the reproducing element, the heater generating heat upon energization so as to project at least the reproducing element by thermal expansion toward a recording medium. A shield layer is formed between the reproducing element and the heater by a plurality of layers including at least first and second shield layers. In the first and second shield layers, the second upper shield layer located closer to the heater is formed by a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the first shield layer located closer to the reproducing element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanowire production method that is simpler than conventional nanowire production methods, and that makes it easier to control the size and shape of the nanowires by using a technique completely different from the conventional ones. A powder particle containing a metal element is divided into nanometer-size wires containing the metal element by irradiating a suspension of the powder particles with a femtosecond laser. The present invention also makes it possible to divide the nanometer-size wires thus formed into nanometer-size particles containing the metal element by irradiating further the nanometer-size wires with the femtosecond laser.

Abstract: There is provided a method for efficiently manufacturing metal nano particles without condensing laser beams by using a lens etc. In this method, first, metallic foil pieces, which are a starting material, are dispersed in a dispersion liquid. Next, laser beams are irradiated directly to the metallic foil pieces without providing a condensing means, by which many metal fine particles are yielded. The particle diameters of the metal fine particles obtained can be controlled to sizes from nano particles to submicron particles by utilizing the relationship between the shape (especially thickness) of the metallic foil piece which is a starting material and the absorbed energy of the laser beam.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises a reproducing element formed on an undercoat film on a head substrate surface, a recording element formed on the upper side of the reproducing element, and a heater formed on the upper or lower side of the reproducing element, the heater generating heat upon energization so as to project at least the reproducing element by thermal expansion toward a recording medium. A shield layer is formed between the reproducing element and the heater by a plurality of layers including at least first and second shield layers. In the first and second shield layers, the second upper shield layer located closer to the heater is formed by a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the first shield layer located closer to the reproducing element.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is disclosed having a non-magnetic layer that is formed of a NiPRe (nickel-phosphorus-rhenium) alloy, which makes it possible to optimize the composition ratios of elements Ni, P, and Re, to obtain the non-magnetic layer having a smooth surface, and to prevent concave portions from being formed in both side surfaces of the non-magnetic layer during a milling process, thereby improving recording characteristics. The composition ratio of a NiPRe alloy forming the non-magnetic layer is set within the range surrounded by boundary lines A to D in a ternary diagram, which makes it possible to form a non-magnetic layer having a smooth surface and uniformly form the magnetic layer on the non-magnetic layer. In addition, since the NiPRe alloy having the composition ratio has a low milling rate, it is possible to prevent concave portions from being formed in both side surfaces of the magnetic layer that is formed on or underneath the non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film is formed of a CoFe alloy having an Fe content in the range of 68 to 80 mass %, thereby having a saturation magnetic flux density of 2.0 T or more. The center lain average roughness of the film surface is 9 nm or less. The soft magnetic film can achieve a corrosive resistant magnetic head with a high recording density.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple-structured reflectance control optical element whose reflectance can be significantly changed and precisely controlled. A transparent film is provided on a substrate having a high reflectance, and further on the surface, an ultrathin film consisting of a metal thin film in which metal nanoparticles having an average particle diameter of 10 nm or less are adjacent to or in contact with each other. The metal is at least any of a single platinum group element, an alloy of platinum group elements, and an alloy of a platinum group element and nickel. The thus obtained element having a three-layer structure has a characteristic of a sharp drop in the reflectance to the light of a given wavelength. By appropriately selecting the thickness or the refractive index of the transparent film, the thickness or the materials of the ultrathin film, and the like, it is possible to control the reflectance according to wavelength.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film of the present invention is a plated film composed of Co and Fe, and columnar crystals extending in the film thickness direction are provided. In the present invention, columnar crystals extending in the film thickness direction are provided so that an improvement in the surface roughness of the film surface and an improvement in the corrosion resistance can be achieved. Furthermore, the saturation magnetic flux density Bs can also be improved by making the crystal fine and eliminating the need for addition of the noble metal element. That is, according to a CoFe alloy of the present invention, both the corrosion resistance and the saturation magnetic flux density Bs can be improved, and specifically, the above-mentioned saturation magnetic flux density Bs can be increased to 2.35 T or more.

Abstract: A lower magnetic pole layer and/or an upper magnetic pole layer are formed of a CoFe? alloy in which the component ratio X of Co is 8 to 48 mass %, the component ratio Y of Fe is 50 to 90 mass %, the component ratio Z of the element ? (the element ? is at least one of Ni and Cr) is 2 to 20 mass %, and the equation X+Y+Z=100 mass % is satisfied. Consequently, the saturated magnetic flux density can be 2.

Abstract: A lower pole layer and/or an upper pole layer is formed by plating a soft magnetic film represented by the formula FeXNiY?Z (wherein element ? is at least one of Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir and Pt), wherein the composition ratio X of Fe is 65% by mass to 74% by mass, the composition ratio Y of Ni 25% by mass to 34% by mass, the composition ratio Z of the element ? is 1% by mass to 7% by mass, and X+Y+Z=100% by mass. Therefore, a thin film magnetic head adaptable to a higher recording density and having excellent corrosion resistance can be manufactured.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film is formed of a CoFe alloy having an Fe content in the range of 68 to 80 mass %, thereby having a saturation magnetic flux density of 2.0 T or more. The center lain average roughness of the film surface is 9 nm or less. The soft magnetic film can achieve a corrosive resistant magnetic head with a high recording density.

Abstract: A lower magnetic pole layer and/or an upper magnetic pole layer are formed of a CoFe? alloy in which the component ratio X of Co is 8 to 48 mass %, the component ratio Y of Fe is 50 to 90 mass %, the component ratio Z of the element ? (the element ? is at least one of Ni and Cr) is 2 to 20 mass %, and the equation X+Y+Z=100 mass % is satisfied. Consequently, the saturated magnetic flux density can be 2.

Abstract: A lower pole layer and/or an upper pole layer is formed by plating a NiFe alloy having a Fe composition ratio of 76% by mass to 90% by mass, or having an average crystal grain diameter of 130 Å to 175 Å and a Fe composition ratio of 70% by mass to 90% by mass. As a result, the saturation magnetic flux density can be increased to 1.9 T or more, and a thin film magnetic head excellent for a higher recording density can be manufactured.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film is formed of a CoFe alloy having an Fe content in the range of 68 to 80 mass %, thereby having a saturation magnetic flux density of 2.0 T or more. The center lain average roughness of the film surface is 9 nm or less. The soft magnetic film can achieve a corrosive resistant magnetic head with a high recording density.

Abstract: A lower magnetic pole layer and/or an upper magnetic pole layer are formed of a CoFe&agr; alloy in which the component ratio X of Co is 8 to 48 mass %, the component ratio Y of Fe is 50 to 90 mass %, the component ratio Z of the element &agr; (the element &agr; is at least one of Ni and Cr) is 2 to 20 mass %, and the equation X+Y+Z=100 mass % is satisfied. Consequently, the saturated magnetic flux density can be 2.0 T or more, and a thin-film magnetic head have a higher recording density can be manufactured.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film of the present invention is a plated film composed of Co and Fe, and columnar crystals extending in the film thickness direction are provided. In the present invention, columnar crystals extending in the film thickness direction are provided so that an improvement in the surface roughness of the film surface and an improvement in the corrosion resistance can be achieved. Furthermore, the saturation magnetic flux density Bs can also be improved by making the crystal fine and eliminating the need for addition of the noble metal element. That is, according to a CoFe alloy of the present invention, both the corrosion resistance and the saturation magnetic flux density Bs can be improved, and specifically, the above-mentioned saturation magnetic flux density Bs can be increased to 2.35 T or more.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film of the invention is to improve a resistivity &rgr; while maintaining a coercive force Hc and a saturation magnetic flux density Ms in good states by adding an element X (X is one or more kinds of elements selected from O, C, N, and S). Further, a thin film magnetic head capable of coping with an increase in a recording density and an increase in a recording frequency can be provided by using the soft magnetic film in core layers.