Abstract: In an optical pickup provided with an optical system including a reflecting mirror and a beam splitter, at least one of the reflecting mirror and the beam splitter having a base member and a film member attached to the base member to introduce a phase difference between an incident laser beam and an outgoing beam. A laser beam is emitted or radiated from a semiconductor laser. The laser beam is converged through the optical system to be focused on a signal recording surface of an optical disk. A return beam from the signal recording surface is detected through the optical system by a photodetector.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetoresistive heads are arranged on a wafer substrate. A plurality of electrode pads are arranged on the wafer substrate in a first direction. Each electrode pad is connected to an associated magnetoresistive head. Respective adjacent electrode pads are shifted from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The shifted amount of the adjacent pads in the second direction is larger than a dimension of the electrode pad in the second direction.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive head, a first non-magnetic layer is formed on a first shield layer. A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film and an electrode portion both formed on the first non-magnetic layer. A second non-magnetic layer is formed on the magnetoresistive element. A second shield layer is formed on the second non-magnetic layer. A non-magnetic metal layer electrically connects the first and the second shield layers. A first earth member is electrically connected to the electrode portion of the magnetoresistive element. A second earth member is electrically connected to the first and the second shield layers. A third earth member is electrically connected to the first earth member and the second earth member.

Abstract: A pattern of lead terminals 22 is formed on a side face of a head body 4 provided with reproduction magnetic heads 9 each being formed with a magnetic gap 11 for reproducing at least an information signal, etc., recorded on a magnetic recording medium, and a preamplifier 6 for amplifying reproduction output detected by the magnetic gap 11 via the lead terminal 22 is mounted directly on the side face of the head body 4.

Abstract: A non-magnetic layer is integrated with a magnetoresistive element to form a scanning surface which is slid on a magnetic recording medium. The non-magnetic layer made of a material having a hardness higher than a hardness of Al2O3. Such hardness is represented by a Vickers hardness in a range of 8 GPa to 18 GPa.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element is formed by laminating a soft magnetic bias gap layer, a soft magnetic bias layer, a magnetic separation layer, a magnetoresistive layer and a magnetoresistive gap layer, so as to define a sliding surface on which a tape-shaped magnetic recording medium is slid. An upper shield layer and a lower shield layer vertically sandwich the magnetoresistive element therebetween. A vertically stepped portion is provided on each of the upper or the lower shield layer and the respective layers forming the magnetoresistive element, so as to extend horizontally in a track width direction of the sliding surface.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive head, a first non-magnetic layer is formed on a first shield layer. A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film and an electrode portion both formed on the first non-magnetic layer. A second non-magnetic layer is formed on the magnetoresistive element. A second shield layer is formed on the second non-magnetic layer. A non-magnetic metal layer electrically connects the first and the second shield layers. A first earth member is electrically connected to the electrode portion of the magnetoresistive element. A second earth member is electrically connected to the first and the second shield layers. A third earth member is electrically connected to the first earth member and the second earth member.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element has a first end face for detecting an external magnetic field and a second end face which is opposed to the first end face. A pair of vertical bias layers sandwich the magnetoresistive element so as to expose the first and second end faces, to apply a bias magnetic field to the magnetoresistive element. Each of the vertical bias layers includes a face, which is continuous and flush with the second end face, having a length of 1.5 &mgr;m or greater. Alternatively, each of the vertical bias layers includes a face which is continuous with the second end face, and inclined by 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the second end face.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetoresistive heads are arranged on a wafer substrate. A plurality of electrode pads are arranged on the wafer substrate in a first direction. Each electrode pad is connected to an associated magnetoresistive head. Respective adjacent electrode pads are shifted from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The shifted amount of the adjacent pads in the second direction is larger than a dimension of the electrode pad in the second direction.