Abstract: A magnetic pole or magnetic shielding film is constructed of a soft magnetic thin film that has a composition represented by formula (Fe.sub.1-x M.sub.x).sub.1-y N.sub.y wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, yttrium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, and boron, and an atomic ratio x is 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.1 and an atomic ratio y is 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.1. This soft magnetic thin film has a I(200)/I(110) ratio of 0.1 inclusive to 1 exclusive with the proviso that I(200), and I(110) represents an intensity of a diffraction peak for an iron (200) plane, and an iron (110) plane, respectively, as found from an X-ray diffraction pattern, and is substantially free from a diffraction peak for a nitride of the element M, as found from the X-ray diffraction pattern.

Abstract: An Fe--Zr--N base thin film composed of a metal nitride is formed by reactive sputtering. At the reactive sputtering step, the stress of the thin film is controlled by causing relative movement of the substrate with respect to a target in such a manner that the substrate can be periodically opposite to the target, or applying a negative bias voltage to the substrate, or performing said relative movement of the substrate with the application of the negative bias voltage to the substrate.

Abstract: An MR element and an inductive element are provided. The MR element is provided with a first magnetic shield film and a second magnetic shield film on the two sides of a magnetoresistive film. A first magnetic film of the inductive element and the second magnetic shield film are separated from each other by a non- magnetic film. The non- magnetic film induces magnetic coupling between the second magnetic shield film and the first magnetic film. The width of the first pole portion of the first magnetic film is smaller than the width of the second magnetic shield film and the saturation magnetization of the first magnetic film is higher than the saturation magnetization of the second magnetic shield film.

Abstract: An MR element includes a magnetoresistive film, a first magnetic shield film and a second magnetic shield film. The MR film includes at least one magnetic field response film, which responds to an external magnetic field. The first magnetic shield film and the second magnetic shield film are positioned at the two sides of the MR film. The first magnetic shield film includes a magnetic film, whose saturation magnetization is lower than the saturation magnetization of the magnetic field response film. The magnetic film occupies a position that is close to the magnetic field response film.

Abstract: A magnetic head for perpendicular magnetization recording especially suitable for operation from only one side of a magnetic tape includes a central magnetic pole surrounded in spaced relationship by a peripheral magnetic pole. An exciting coil is wound around the central magnetic pole for maintaining the central and peripheral magnetic pole at different magnetic potentials. Both magnetic poles are located on the same side of a multi-layer magnetic recording medium to be magnetized by the recording head.