Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus has a magnetoresistive head having a magnetoresistive film through which a current is flowed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a film plane and a pair of magnetic shields disposed to sandwich the magnetoresistive film, and a preamplifier which supplies a sense current to the magnetoresistive head in constant-current driving.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element of the dual spin valve type using a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) system where a sensing current flows perpendicular to the stacked faces of a plurality of conductive layers, the magnetoresistance effect element comprises a first unit which includes a free layer and a first pinning layer, a second unit which includes the free layer shared with the first unit and a second pinning layer, a first current control layer which is provided in the first unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current, and a second current control layer which is provided in the second unit and limits the flow quantity of the sensing current.

Abstract: In a yoke type reproducing magnetic head, a magnetoresistance effect film can be arranged in the vicinity of a medium facing surface, so that sensitivity is improved. The yoke type reproducing magnetic head comprises: a pair of magnetic yokes which face each other via a magnetic gap, at least one of the pair of magnetic yokes extending from a medium facing surface to a position retracted from the medium facing surface; a magnetoresistance effect film which has a curved portion protruding toward the medium facing surface in the magnetic gap and which is magnetically connected to the magnetic yokes; and an electrode which is electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film having a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer. A magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer is substantially fixed in an external magnetic field, a magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer is configured to change in the external magnetic field, and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer formed between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer and has a stacked structure of a first non-metallic intermediate layer/a metal intermediate layer/a second non-metallic intermediate layer. The magnetoresistive element also includes a pair of electrodes coupled to the magnetoresistive film and is configured to provide a current in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the magnetoresistive film.

Abstract: In a yoke type reproducing magnetic head, a magnetoresistance effect film can be arranged in the vicinity of a medium facing surface, so that sensitivity is improved. The yoke type reproducing magnetic head comprises: a pair of magnetic yokes which face each other via a magnetic gap, at least one of the pair of magnetic yokes extending from a medium facing surface to a position retracted from the medium facing surface; a magnetoresistance effect film which has a curved portion protruding toward the medium facing surface in the magnetic gap and which is magnetically connected to the magnetic yokes; and an electrode which is electrically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: A current perpendicular to plane type magnetoresistive device has a magnetoresistive film, a pair of electrodes which allow a sense current to flow through the magnetoresistive film in a perpendicular direction to the plane thereof, and a biasing film which imparts a biasing magnetic field to the magnetoresistive film in a parallel direction to film plane. The direction of the magnetic field generated by the sense current flowing through the magnetoresistive film in the perpendicular direction to film plane is made substantially anti-parallel to the direction of the biasing magnetic field in a vicinity of a portion of the magnetoresistive film where a signal magnetic flux is introduced.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic head capable of efficiently carrying out a recording or reproducing operation even in the case of a shorter magnetic path length and a shorter wavelength signal.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic head capable of efficiently carrying out a recording or reproducing operation even in the case of a shorter magnetic path length and a shorter wavelength signal. The magnetic head comprises: a pair of magnetic bodies including respective first and second medium facing surfaces, respective first and second rear surfaces opposite to the medium facing surfaces, and respective inner side surfaces, the inner side surfaces facing each other; and a magnetic gap disposed between the inner side surfaces and including third medium facing surface coplanar with the first and the second medium facing surfaces and third rear surface coplanar with the first and second rear surfaces; one of the inner side surfaces satisfying relationships of x=G1 /2 with respect to 0≦y≦TH, and 0.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: A magnetic head for vertical magnetic.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise.

Abstract: In a magnetic head having magnetic yoke layers, each magnetic yoke layer includes a yoke projecting portion (2A) projected toward a recording medium, and yoke setback portions (2B) set back from the yoke projecting portion. A first bias magnetic field applying film (5) of an antiferromagnetic material is formed to cover the yoke projecting portion whereas a second bias magnetic field applying film (6) of a ferromagnetic material may be formed on opposite side surfaces of the yoke projecting portion.

Abstract: A GMR element part is formed of a laminated structure which comprises at least one pair of ferromagnetic layers and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer interposed between the pair of ferromagnetic layers. Signal magnetic field detecting ferromagnetic layers will be optionally disposed one each outside the pair of ferromagnetic layers. The GMR element part consists of a laminated structure which is provided with one pair of GMR ferromagnetic layers opposed to each other across a nonmagnetic intermediate layer or a laminated structure which is provided with one pair of GMR ferromagnetic layer opposed to each other across a nonmagnetic intermediate layer and at least one low-permeability ferromagnetic layer disposed there between through the medium of a nonmagnetic intermediate layer.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive effect element, at least one of electrodes for supplying a current perpendicularly to the film plane of a magnetoresistive effect film is narrower than the distance between bias-applying films. The sensitivity of the magnetoresistive effect film is lower in regions thereof near the bias-applying films due to an intensive bias magnetic field from the bias-applying films. However, the electrodes are disposed in an inner region having a high sensitivity avoiding those regions with a lower sensitivity to ensure a high sensitivity. The electrodes disposed on and under the magnetoresistive effect film are pillar-shaped to concentrate the sense current such that the sense current can be concentrically supplied exclusively to the region with the high sensitivity.

Abstract: An exchange coupling film comprises a ferromagnetic film and an antiferromagnetic film laminated on the ferromagnetic film, wherein at least a portion of the antiferromagnetic film has a face-centered cubic crystal structure and the antiferromagnetic film comprises an IrMn alloy represented by the general formula of IrxMn100−x, wherein x stands for a value by atomic % satisfying the expression, 2≦x≦80.

Abstract: A current perpendicular to plane type magnetoresistive device has a magnetoresistive film, a pair of electrodes which allow a sense current to flow through the magnetoresistive film in a perpendicular direction to the plane thereof, and a biasing film which imparts a biasing magnetic field to the magnetoresistive film in a parallel direction to film plane. The direction of the magnetic field generated by the sense current flowing through the magnetoresistive film in the perpendicular direction to film plane is made substantially anti-parallel to the direction of the biasing magnetic field in a vicinity of a portion of the magnetoresistive film where a signal magnetic flux is introduced.

Abstract: A yoke type magnetic head comprises a magnetoresistance effect film for sensing a signal magnetic field from a medium, a pair of magnetic yokes which are magnetically connected to the magnetoresistance effect film and which face each other via a magnetic gap, and a pair of electrodes which are connected to the magnetoresistance effect film so that a sense current in a thickness direction of the magnetoresistance effect film is applied thereto, one of the electrodes being formed in the magnetic gap. Thus, it is possible to prevent the lowering of the magnetic flux efficiency.