Abstract: A lower magnetic pole layer is formed on a lower core layer, and a coil layer and a coil insulating layer are formed in a space corresponding to a level difference between the lower magnetic pole layer and the lower core layer. The coil layer and the coil insulating layer are leveled flush with a reference plane, whereby a gap layer can be formed flat on the lower magnetic pole layer, the coil layer and the coil insulating layer. Thus, since the upper core layer can be directly formed on the gap layer and the gap layer can be formed on the flat surfaces, it is possible to form the upper core layer into a predetermined shape with high accuracy and to manufacture a thin-film magnetic head which is adaptable for a decrease of the track width in future.

Abstract: In a thin-film magnetic head, an lower magnetic pole layer is formed on a lower core layer to form a step between the lower core layer and the lower magnetic pole layer. A coil layer and a coil-insulating layer are formed on the lower core layer, and an upper core layer is formed over the lower magnetic pole layer and the coil-insulating layer. This configuration decreases the height of the coil-insulating layer from the lower magnetic pole layer compared to the height in a conventional thin-film magnetic head. The front end of the upper core layer can be precisely formed so as to have a track width Tw. This thin-film magnetic head is suitable for narrower track widths.