Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic head, a manufacturing method therefor, a head assembly, and a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. According to the present invention, it includes a magnetic pole layer, a non-magnetic layer, a trailing gap layer, and a trailing shield layer. The magnetic pole layer has a pole tip exposed on a magnetic medium-facing surface. The non-magnetic layer is laid on the magnetic pole layer. The trailing shield layer is exposed on the magnetic medium-facing surface and laid over the magnetic pole layer and the non-magnetic layer with the trailing gap layer between. The magnetic pole layer and the non-magnetic layer have a continuous tapered face opposed to a lower side of the trailing shield layer. Moreover, the tapered face extends from a trailing edge of the pole tip at a constant inclination angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic head, a manufacturing method therefor, a head assembly, and a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. According to the present invention, it includes a magnetic pole layer, a non-magnetic layer, a trailing gap layer, and a trailing shield layer. The magnetic pole layer has a pole tip exposed on a magnetic medium-facing surface. The non-magnetic layer is laid on the magnetic pole layer. The trailing shield layer is exposed on the magnetic medium-facing surface and laid over the magnetic pole layer and the non-magnetic layer with the trailing gap layer between. The magnetic pole layer and the non-magnetic layer have a continuous tapered face opposed to a lower side of the trailing shield layer. Moreover, the tapered face extends from a trailing edge of the pole tip at a constant inclination angle.

Abstract: In a perpendicular magnetic write head manufacturing method a magnetic layer is formed on a substrate. On the magnetic layer, first and second nonmagnetic layers are formed with different materials. A mask pattern is formed on the second nonmagnetic layer, and the second nonmagnetic layer in a region not covered with the mask pattern is removed. Thereby, the patterned second nonmagnetic layer is formed while leaving the first nonmagnetic layer. The mask pattern is removed and a milling process is selectively performed on the first nonmagnetic layer and the magnetic layer with the patterned second nonmagnetic layer as a mask to remove all of the first nonmagnetic layer in an exposed region and to dig down the magnetic layer in the exposed region, thereby forming a main magnetic pole layer having an inclined part whose thickness decreases with distance from an edge position of the patterned second nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: A main magnetic pole includes a first part extending from a medium facing surface to a point at a predetermined distance from the medium facing surface, and a second part other than the first part. An accommodation part for accommodating the main magnetic pole includes: a first layer having a groove; a second layer lying between the first layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove; and a third layer interposed in part between the second layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove. The second layer is formed of a metal material different from a material used to form the first layer. The third layer is formed of an inorganic insulating material. The second and third layers lie between the first layer and the first part. The second layer lies between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part, but the third layer does not. The distance between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part is smaller than that between the bottom and the first part.

Abstract: A main magnetic pole includes a first part extending from a medium facing surface to a point at a predetermined distance from the medium facing surface, and a second part other than the first part. An accommodation part for accommodating the main magnetic pole includes: a first layer having a groove; a second layer lying between the first layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove; and a third layer interposed in part between the second layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove. The second layer is formed of a metal material different from a material used to form the first layer. The third layer is formed of an inorganic insulating material. The second and third layers lie between the first layer and the first part. The second layer lies between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part, but the third layer does not. The distance between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part is smaller than that between the bottom and the first part.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer conducting a magnetic flux to the recording medium so that the recording medium an be magnetized in a direction orthogonal to a surface thereof; a return yoke layer disposed on a trailing side of the main magnetic pole layer; an intermediate protective layer partially disposed on a magnetic shield layer; and a thermal expansion suppressing layer having an edge located on the intermediate protective layer and being in contact with the return yoke layer in an area where the intermediate protective layer is not formed. If the thin film magnetic head is affected by ambient temperature environment, the thermal expansion suppressing layer suppresses the shift of the main magnetic pole layer and the return yoke layer toward the air bearing surface. This suppresses thermal protrusion from occurring on the thin film magnetic head due to ambient temperature environment.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic write head includes an auxiliary magnetic pole layer disposed on a trailing or leading side of a main magnetic pole layer, the auxiliary magnetic pole layer being recessed from the main magnetic pole layer. A nonmagnetic layer is disposed in a layer same as the auxiliary magnetic pole layer and in front of the auxiliary magnetic pole layer, the nonmagnetic layer having an internal stress of a direction same as that of the main magnetic pole layer, and a write shield layer is disposed in a layer same as the auxiliary magnetic pole layer and in front of the auxiliary magnetic pole layer, the write shield layer being separated from the main magnetic pole layer with a gap layer in between. The nonmagnetic layer is arranged to fill up a space between the auxiliary magnetic pole layer and the write shield layer.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided, in which thermal protrusion can be suppressed. The thin film magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer which conducts a magnetic flux into the recording medium so that the recording medium is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the recording medium, a first return yoke layer provided in a trailing side of the main magnetic pole layer, and has a recess in a top surface, a second return yoke layer provided so as to fill at least the recess of the first return yoke layer, and a thermal expansion suppression layer provided in a trailing side of the second return yoke layer. Thus, since the thermal expansion suppression layer can be provided on a surface having no recess, a possibility of a crack in the thermal expansion suppression layer can be eliminated.

Abstract: In a perpendicular magnetic write head manufacturing method a magnetic layer is formed on a substrate. On the magnetic layer, first and second nonmagnetic layers are formed with different materials. A mask pattern is formed on the second nonmagnetic layer, and the second nonmagnetic layer in a region not covered with the mask pattern is removed Thereby, the patterned second nonmagnetic layer is formed while leaving the first nonmagnetic layer. The mask pattern is removed and a milling process is selectively performed on the first nonmagnetic layer and the magnetic layer with the patterned second nonmagnetic layer as a mask to remove all of the first nonmagnetic layer in an exposed region and to dig down the magnetic layer in the exposed region, thereby forming a main magnetic pole layer having an inclined part whose thickness decreases with distance from an edge position of the patterned second nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a perpendicular recording magnetic head. The method for manufacturing a perpendicular recording magnetic head according to the present invention includes first to third steps. At the first step, a main magnetic pole layer is formed on a foundation layer. At the second step, a main magnetic pole forming mask whose recording-medium-facing surface is of an inverted trapezoidal shape is formed on the main magnetic pole layer. At the third step, a main magnetic pole whose recording-medium-facing surface is of an inverted trapezoidal shape is formed by performing ion milling on a laminated structure including the foundation layer and the main magnetic pole layer from a direction which makes a given angle with a lamination direction according to a bevel angle of the inverted trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided, in which thermal protrusion can be suppressed. The thin film magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer which conducts a magnetic flux into the recording medium so that the recording medium is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the recording medium, a first return yoke layer provided in a trailing side of the main magnetic pole layer, and has a recess in a top surface, a second return yoke layer provided so as to fill at least the recess of the first return yoke layer, and a thermal expansion suppression layer provided in a trailing side of the second return yoke layer. Thus, since the thermal expansion suppression layer can be provided on a surface having no recess, a possibility of a crack in the thermal expansion suppression layer can be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a perpendicular magnetic write head which can suppress unintended erasure of information written on a write medium at a non-writing time by optimizing a magnetic domain structure of main component elements that are engaged in writing operation. In the perpendicular magnetic write head, an auxiliary magnetic pole layer is disposed on a trailing or leading side of a main magnetic pole layer, the auxiliary magnetic pole layer being recessed from the main magnetic pole layer. When the main magnetic pole layer has a tensile stress as its internal stress, a nonmagnetic layer disposed in a layer same as the auxiliary magnetic pole layer and in an area in front of the auxiliary magnetic pole layer, also has a tensile stress as its internal stress.

Abstract: The thin film magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer conducting a magnetic flux to the recording medium so that the recording medium an be magnetized in a direction orthogonal to a surface thereof; a return yoke layer disposed on a trailing side of the main magnetic pole layer; an intermediate protective layer partially disposed on a magnetic shield layer; and a thermal expansion suppressing layer having an edge located on the intermediate protective layer and being in contact with the return yoke layer in an area where the intermediate protective layer is not formed. If the thin film magnetic head is affected by ambient temperature environment, the thermal expansion suppressing layer suppresses the shift of the main magnetic pole layer and the return yoke layer toward the air bearing surface. This suppresses thermal protrusion from occurring on the thin film magnetic head due to ambient temperature environment.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprising an inductive element including at least: a lower magnetic pole; a write gap layer; and an upper magnetic pole opposed to the lower magnetic pole through the write gap layer, a width WP2 in a track-width direction at a facing-to-magnetic-medium top end of the upper magnetic pole being larger than a width WP1 in the track-width direction at a facing-to-magnetic-medium top end of the lower magnetic pole, and a distance FPDP2 between the top end of the upper magnetic pole and a flare point of the upper magnetic pole being smaller than a distance FPDP1 between the top end of the lower magnetic pole and a flare point of the lower magnetic pole, is provided.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a lower magnetic layer, an upper magnetic layer, a recording gap layer, and a thin-film coil. The lower magnetic layer has a first magnetic pole tip layer, and a first yoke layer which is connected to the first magnetic pole tip layer. The first yoke layer has an extended part which is relatively thick and a reduced part which is relatively thin in the area in which the first yoke layer confronts the first magnetic pole tip layer, the extended part being positioned on the side of the air bearing surface. Further, the first magnetic pole tip layer is connected to the first yoke layer at the extended part, and is insulated from the first yoke layer at the reduced part.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided to reduce excess magnetostatic leakage field in order to generate a sufficient recording magnetic field. The pole end portion has a width to define a recording track width. The pole rear portion has one end which is magnetically connected with the pole end portion at or in the vicinity of an edge portion of an insulating film and defines a first flare point, the other end which is connected with the upper yoke portion and defines a second flare point, and both side edges in the track width direction which are inclined so that the width in the track width direction gradually increases from the second flare point toward the first flare point. The width of the pole end portion at the first flare point is smaller than the maximum width of the pole rear portion.

Abstract: A writing magnetic pole portion composed of a first magnetic film and a second magnetic film formed on the first magnetic film via a gap film is fabricated on a given wafer. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is swung forward and backward around a rotation standard axis parallel to a center line of the writing magnetic pole portion in a direction parallel to a surface of the. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is milled during the swing of the writing magnetic pole portion to define the width of the writing magnetic pole portion.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprising an inductive element including at least: a lower magnetic pole; a write gap layer; and an upper magnetic pole opposed to the lower magnetic pole through the write gap layer, a width WP2 in a track-width direction at a facing-to-magnetic-medium top end of the upper magnetic pole being larger than a width WP1 in the track-width direction at a facing-to-magnetic-medium top end of the lower magnetic pole, and a distance FPDP2 between the top end of the upper magnetic pole and a flare point of the upper magnetic pole being smaller than a distance FPDP1 between the top end of the lower magnetic pole and a flare point of the lower magnetic pole, is provided.

Abstract: A writing magnetic pole portion composed of a first magnetic film and a second magnetic film formed on the first magnetic film via a gap film is fabricated on a given wafer. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is swung forward and backward around a rotation standard axis parallel to a center line of the writing magnetic pole portion in a direction parallel to a surface of the. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is milled during the swing of the writing magnetic pole portion to define the width of the writing magnetic pole portion.

Abstract: The present invention is intended for a thin film magnetic head which can provide reduction in the excess magnetostatic leakage field even if the flare point is set near to the ABS in order to generate a sufficient recording magnetic field and which can assure stable overwrite characteristics even if there are variations in upper pole portion patterns. The pole end portion 223 has a width W11 to define a recording track width. The pole rear portion 222 has one end which is magnetically connected with the pole end portion 223 at or in the vicinity of an edge portion of an insulating film 273 and defines a first flare point FP1, the other end which is connected with the upper yoke portion 221 and defines a second flare point FP2, and both side edges in the track width direction which are inclined so that the width in the track width direction gradually increases from the second flare point FP2 toward the first flare point FP1.