Abstract: According to one embodiment, a CPP magnetoresistive head includes a magnetoresistive film comprising a free layer above a non-magnetic intermediate layer and a fixed layer below the non-magnetic intermediate layer, wherein the magnetoresistive film is between a lower magnetic shield layer and an upper magnetic shield layer. The CPP magnetoresistive head also includes a domain control film on each side of the magnetoresistive film, wherein a sense current flows through the magnetoresistive film between the upper magnetic shield layer and the lower magnetic shield layer. The CPP magnetoresistive head also includes a high heat conductivity layer, and a heat dissipation layer having a high heat conductivity and a low linear expansion coefficient, the heat dissipation layer being disposed at the back in a device height direction of the magnetoresistive film and on each side of the domain control film.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic head slider to be easily mounted on or dismounted from a suspension and can hold a magnetic head slider so as not to be removed due to a shock resultant from handling during a characteristic test and a manufacturing process. A load beam is formed with protruding portions on both sides. A flexure includes a frame portion, a plate portion, a spring portion, an E-shaped pressing portion, and a probe portion. The plate portion extends from a guide portion of the frame portion. The probe portion may be formed by partially cutting out the frame portion. A limiter is formed on both sides of the plate portion. The limiter protrudes from the rear of the load beam and has a hook-shaped tip. The hook-shaped portion of the limiter engages with the protruding portion 6 of the load beam to limit excess vertical movement of the flexure. A gap may be formed between the limiter and the protruding portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a reading head structure that ensures a stable magnetic moment of a pinned layer against a great external magnetic field, and minimizes the pinned-layer damage occurring during air-bearing surface machining. In one embodiment, a magnetoresistive head is based on a spin-valve effect and has free layers, a stacked-type pinned layer, and an electroconductive nonmagnetic spacer layer positioned between the free layers and the stacked-type pinned layer. The stacked-type pinned layer includes three ferromagnetic films, and antiferromagnetic coupling films interposed between the ferromagnetic films. Of these ferromagnetic films, the first two films have a high coercivity and a high resistivity. The third ferromagnetic film is made of a material that gives a great magnetoresistive effect. The sum of the magnetic moments generated from the stacked-type pinned layer is substantially zero.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a low-priced magnetic head evaluation apparatus capable of evaluating characteristics at high speed. According to one embodiment, a magnetic head evaluation apparatus includes a spindle motor, a VCM actuator as a head moving mechanism, and a ramp mechanism. A spindle motor used in a product HDD is used for the spindle motor. A VCM actuator used in the product HDD is used for the VCM actuator. A ramp mechanism used in the product HDD is used for the ramp mechanism. The apparatus further includes a non-contact type position detector such as a laser length measuring instrument. The non-contact type position detector irradiates a side surface of a load beam with a laser beam. An absolute position of the load beam over a magnetic disk is detected by detecting light reflected off the side surface of the load beam. Mounting of an HGA relative to the load beam is achieved by using a caulking hole in a mount plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a galvanomagnetic device for use as a magnetic sensor or magnetic memory device. In a particular embodiment, the galvanomagnetic device comprises a non-conductive substrate, a first magnetic layer having a magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to the surface thereof, and a ferromagnetic second magnetic layer formed on the first magnetic layer. On the second magnetic layer, current electrodes are disposed to pass a current between two points, and voltage electrodes are disposed to detect a Hall voltage between two points perpendicularly to the current flow direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a read head which is implemented in a magnetic disk drive that supports a high recording density and a high transfer rate and is excellent in static electricity durability. In one embodiment, a magnetic head wherein a charge diffuses from a read element to a slider at a time constant of about 100 ms or less.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to provide a flying height adjusting type magnetic head slider with reduced influence of a heater coil induction field. According to one embodiment, a magnetic head slider comprises a heater, a read element, and a write element, which are formed on a substrate. The heater is formed between a lower magnetic shield of the read element and the substrate by meandering a heater coil in direction Y going away from ABS. Magnetic fields by generated in direction Y orthogonal to a track width direction X of the lower magnetic field upon energization of the heater coil are offset each other, exerting no influence on the magnetized state in the track width direction X of the lower magnetic shield. A magnetic field hx induced in the track width direction X of the lower magnetic shield is coincident with the magnetizing direction of the lower magnetic shield, acting to maintain the magnetized state of the lower magnetic shield.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head comprises a free magnetic layer that has first and second free magnetic films sandwiching a non-magnetic intermediate film therebetween, the respective magnetizing directions of the first and the second free magnetic films are antiparallel. The length of the free magnetic layer in the direction of the track width is 200 nm or less, and a difference between a product of saturation magnetic flux density and a film thickness of the first free magnetic film, and that of the second free magnetic film is within a range from 1 to 3 nmT. By this structure, the variation of output and the variation of asymmetry is greatly decreased at a track width of 200 nm or less.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a low-priced magnetic head evaluation apparatus capable of evaluating characteristics at high speed. According to one embodiment, a magnetic head evaluation apparatus includes a spindle motor, a VCM actuator as a head moving mechanism, and a ramp mechanism. A spindle motor used in a product HDD is used for the spindle motor. A VCM actuator used in the product HDD is used for the VCM actuator. A ramp mechanism used in the product HDD is used for the ramp mechanism. The apparatus further includes a non-contact type position detector such as a laser length measuring instrument. The non-contact type position detector irradiates a side surface of a load beam with a laser beam. An absolute position of the load beam over a magnetic disk is detected by detecting light reflected off the side surface of the load beam. Mounting of an HGA relative to the load beam is achieved by using a caulking hole in a mount plate.

Abstract: For a Tunneling Magnetoresistive (TMR) element, an electrode is used as a magnetic shield or vice versa. This can pose a problem in that noise from a heater source or electromagnetic induction has a direct influence on the TMR element, namely, on a read signal. According to one embodiment of the present invention, however, a thin film head portion has an insulating film, a heater, an electromagnetic shield, a read element, and a write element laminated in this order from the side of a slider. Insulating films isolate the constituent elements above from each other, and a protection film covers the group mentioned above. The heater is a thin film resistive element made of NiCr or the like, and is disposed above the insulating film. The electromagnetic shield is a magnetic film made of permalloy or the like, and covers the heater. The read element comprises a lower shield and electrode, a TMR element, and an upper shield and electrode.

Abstract: When exogenous noise is applied to the ground wire of a thin film magnetic head, crosstalk noise occurs in a lead line and a ground lines located near the ground wire. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention avoid this by providing a common terminal near the central portion of a thin film head portion. Write element terminals are connected to lines extending from a coil. Read element terminals are connected to lead wires extending from electrodes of a GMR element. A heater terminal is connected to a line extending from a heater. The common terminal is connected to a ground line of upper and lower shields via a resistor, to ground lines of electrodes via other resistors and to a ground line of upper and lower magnetic pole pieces of a write element via another resistor. A ground line of a slider, a ground line of the heater, and a ground line of the common terminal are all connected to a ground terminal.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head comprises a free magnetic layer that has first and second free magnetic films sandwiching a non-magnetic intermediate film therebetween, the respective magnetizing directions of the first and the second free magnetic films are antiparallel. The length of the free magnetic layer in the direction of the track width is 200 nm or less, and a difference between a product of saturation magnetic flux density and a film thickness of the first free magnetic film, and that of the second free magnetic film is within a range from 1 to 3 nmT. By this structure, the variation of output and the variation of asymmetry is greatly decreased at a track width of 200 nm or less.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a thin film magnetic head for preventing a short-circuit failure during formation of a track portion or a stripe-height portion and improving a yield. In one embodiment, a stripe-height direction is first formed, and then a track-width direction is formed. A third insulating film having a smoothly shaped wall surface is formed on a first insulating film during stripe-height formation. During formation of the third insulating film, an optimized lift-off pattern is used to smooth an edge shape.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a magnetic head slider provided with a heater disposed near a read element to adjust flying height, is required to increase a thermal protrusion by heat generated by the heater without increasing a thermal protrusion attributable to heat generated by a recording current or environmental temperature. A magnetic head slider includes a thin-film head unit including a read element, a heater having a thin heating line extended above and below the read element, a write element, and an insulating layer of alumina (Al2O3) or the like insulating those components. The thin heating line of the heater is formed from a thin resistive film of NiCr or the like. The thin heating line of the heater is extended above and below the read element so as to meander in a zigzag shape in a direction perpendicular to the device forming surface. The thin heating line has a thickness between about 0.1 and 0.

Abstract: A magnetic head suffers mechanical stresses by striking against a magnetic disc surface and dust, so that there are problems such as the reduction of reproduction output due to the mechanical stresses and the reversal of output polarity due to the mechanical stresses. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to a method of testing reliability of reproduction elements of a magnetic head against outside stress. In a first step, a Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) element on a row bar of the object of inspection, or a GMR element on a slider is measured for the output against external magnetic field. In the next step, prescribed shearing stress is applied with indenter to the edge where the GMR element-formed surface of the row bar or slider and the air-bearing surface are crossed. Then, output of the GMR element is measured again. Lastly, the outputs of the GMR element before and after application of stress are compared.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic head slider to be easily mounted on or dismounted from a suspension and can hold a magnetic head slider so as not to be removed due to a shock resultant from handling during a characteristic test and a manufacturing process. A load beam is formed with protruding portions on both sides. A flexure includes a frame portion, a plate portion, a spring portion, an E-shaped pressing portion, and a probe portion. The plate portion extends from a guide portion of the frame portion. The probe portion may be formed by partially cutting out the frame portion. A limiter is formed on both sides of the plate portion. The limiter protrudes from the rear of the load beam and has a hook-shaped tip. The hook-shaped portion of the limiter engages with the protruding portion 6 of the load beam to limit excess vertical movement of the flexure. A gap may be formed between the limiter and the protruding portion.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive effect head including: an antiferromagnetic layer; a pinned layer which is formed on the antiferromagnetic layer and whose magnetizing direction has been fixed; a spacer formed on the pinned layer; a free layer formed on the spacer; and magnetic domain control layers having antiferromagnetic flims and magnet layers for performing a magnetic domain control of the free layer; wherein the each of the antiferromagnetjc films is formed on the free layer; wherein the each of magnet layers has at least two magnetic films coupled anti-ferromagnetically through at least one nonmagnetic film; a pair of lead layers for supplying a current to the stack of layers; and wherein seed layers are formed between the antiferromagnetic films and the lead layers.

Abstract: Formation of magnetic domains in a perpendicularly magnetized medium comprising an underlayer of a soft magnetic layer is prevented by appropriate magnetic domain control in the soft magnetic layer. One method controls magnetic domains of the soft magnetic layer by applying an external magnetic field to the medium. Another method provides a mechanism in the magnetic head for generating a magnetic field to control the magnetic domains of the soft magnetic layer of the medium.

Abstract: In a dynamic electric test, a head slider is to be fixed positively to a suspension and to be removable easily from the suspension in accordance with the result of the test. In one embodiment of the present invention a head gimbal assembly includes a head slider, a gimbal and a load beam. The head slider is disposed on a gimbal tongue and is held with an urging force of a resilient clamp at a position between the resilient clamp formed on the leading side of the head slider and connecting terminals formed on the opposite side thereof.

Abstract: Crosstalk from a write signal on wiring on a suspension needs to be reduced since an ESD withstand voltage is decreased due to high sensitivity of a GMR head. In one embodiment, a terminal arrangement on an element-forming surface of a magnetic head slider consists of a ground terminal G, a read terminal R+, a read terminal R?, a write terminal W+ and a write terminal W? in order from the outside. With this terminal arrangement, the wiring order on a suspension consists of a read wire R?, a read wire R+, a ground line G, a write wire W? and a write wire W+ in an arrangement unlike the terminal arrangement. In other words, the ground line G is interposed between the write wires W and the read wires R.