Abstract: A magnetic tunnel effect type magnetic head comprising a first soft magnetic conductive layer which is to provide a lower shielding layer 24, a metal oxide layer 25 and a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, formed on the first soft magnetic conductive layer, to provide a lower gap layer 26, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 formed on the first nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction element 27, a second nonmagnetic conductive layer formed on the magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 to provide an upper gap layer 28; and a second soft magnetic conductive layer formed on the second nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide an upper shielding layer 29, the metal oxide layer 25 in the lower gap layer 26 being formed beneath at least the magnetic tunnel junction layer 27.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel effect type magnetic head comprising a first soft magnetic conductive layer which is to provide a lower shielding layer 24, a metal oxide layer 25 and a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, formed on the first soft magnetic conductive layer, to provide a lower gap layer 26, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 formed on the first nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction element 27, a second nonmagnetic conductive layer formed on the magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 to provide an upper gap layer 28; and a second soft magnetic conductive layer formed on the second nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide an upper shielding layer 29, the metal oxide layer 25 in the lower gap layer 26 being formed beneath at least the magnetic tunnel junction layer 27.

Abstract: There is provided a magneto-optical head including a magnetic field applying means having optimum electromagnetic conversion efficiency and capable of applying a magnetic field having favorable distribution to a recording medium, and a magneto-optical read/write apparatus which has the magneto-optical head allowing reduction of power consumption of a disk drive. The magneto-optical head includes a light transmitting section for transmitting light provided to a slider floating over a recording medium, and a magnetic field applying means arranged around the light transmitting section. The magnetic field applying means includes a thin film coil and a magnetic material serving as a magnetic field generating yoke having a portion disposed on the side of the recording medium and another portion disposed on the opposite side to the recording medium. The magneto-optical read/write apparatus has the magneto-optical head for reading/writing information stored in the recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel effect type magnetic head comprising a first soft magnetic conductive layer which is to provide a lower shielding layer 24, a metal oxide layer 25 and a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, formed on the first soft magnetic conductive layer, to provide a lower gap layer 26, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 formed on the first nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction element 27, a second nonmagnetic conductive layer formed on the:magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 to provide an upper gap layer 28; and a second soft magnetic conductive layer formed on the second nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide an upper shielding layer 29, the metal oxide layer 25 in the lower gap layer 26 being formed beneath at least the magnetic tunnel junction layer 27.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel effect type magnetic head comprising a first soft magnetic conductive layer which is to provide a lower shielding layer 24, a metal oxide layer 25 and a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, formed on the first soft magnetic conductive layer, to provide a lower gap layer 26, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 formed on the first nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction element 27, a second nonmagnetic conductive layer formed on the magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 to provide an upper gap layer 28; and a second soft magnetic conductive layer formed on the second nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide an upper shielding layer 29, the metal oxide layer 25 in the lower gap layer 26 being formed beneath at least the magnetic tunnel junction layer 27.

Abstract: A method for producing a slider for an optical head includes a slider member adapted for floating and running over a recording medium during recording and/or reproduction of information signals for the recording medium. An optical lens is bonded to the slider member and a magnetic field generator provided on a surface of the slider member carrying the optical lens facing the recording medium. A first step is forming a groove presenting a bottom surface inclined in the depth-wise direction by ejecting a polishing agent dispersed in a compressed gas on a substrate. A second step is charging an electrically conductive material, which proves a terminal electrically connected to the magnetic field generator in the inside of the groove formed in the substrate. A third step is cutting the substrate in the vicinity of an end of the groove to form a plurality of individual slider members.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel effect type magnetic head comprising a first soft magnetic conductive layer which is to provide a lower shielding layer 24, a metal oxide layer 25 and a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, formed on the first soft magnetic conductive layer, to provide a lower gap layer 26, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 formed on the first nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction element 27, a second nonmagnetic conductive layer formed on the magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 to provide an upper gap layer 28; and a second soft magnetic conductive layer formed on the second nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide an upper shielding layer 29, the metal oxide layer 25 in the lower gap layer 26 being formed beneath at least the magnetic tunnel junction layer 27.

Abstract: A slider for an optical head for signal recording and/or reproduction on or from a recording medium which, even if reduced in size, assures optimum signal recording and/or reproduction on or from a recording medium, and which may be produced readily. The slider for the optical head includes a slider member for floating and running over a recording medium during recording and/or reproduction of information signals for the recording medium, an optical lens bonded to the slider member and a magnetic field generating unit provided on a surface of the slider member carrying the optical lens facing the recording medium. The slider member is formed with a terminal groove opened in a its surface facing the recording medium and in its lateral surface, with an electrically conductive material being charged in the terminal groove. The electrically conductive material charged forms a terminal electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit.

Abstract: The part of an MR element 25 which lies close to a medium-facing surface 10a overlaps that part of a flux-guiding element 24 which lies remote from the medium-facing surface 10a, with a second gap film 23b interposed between the elements 24 and 25. Further, the MR element 25 overlaps the flux-guiding element 24 for a distance that falls within a range of 15 to 25% of the length of the MR height of the element 25 as measured in a direction perpendicular to the medium-facing surface 10a.

Abstract: A slider for an optical head for signal recording and/or reproduction on or from a recording medium which, even if reduced in size, assures optimum signal recording and/or reproduction on or from a recording medium, and which may be produced readily. The slider for the optical head includes a slider member for floating and running over a recording medium during recording and/or reproduction of information signals for the recording medium, an optical lens bonded to the slider member and a magnetic field generating unit provided on a surface of the slider member carrying the optical lens facing the recording medium. The slider member is formed with a terminal groove opened in a its surface facing the recording medium and in its lateral surface, with an electrically conductive material being charged in the terminal groove. The electrically conductive material charged forms a terminal electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit.

Abstract: There is provided a magneto-optical head including a magnetic field applying means having optimum electromagnetic conversion efficiency and capable of applying a magnetic field having favorable distribution to a recording medium, and a magneto-optical read/write apparatus which has the magneto-optical head allowing reduction of power consumption of a disk drive. The magneto-optical head includes a light transmitting section for transmitting light provided to a slider floating over a recording medium, and a magnetic field applying means arranged around the light transmitting section. The magnetic field applying means includes a thin film coil and a magnetic material serving as a magnetic field generating yoke having a portion disposed on the side of the recording medium and another portion disposed on the opposite side to the recording medium. The magneto-optical read/write apparatus has the magneto-optical head for reading/writing information stored in the recording medium.

Abstract: The part of an MR element 25 which lies close to a medium-facing surface 10a overlaps that part of a flux-guiding element 24 which lies remote from the medium-facing surface 10a, with a second gap film 23b interposed between the elements 24 and 25. Further, the MR element 25 overlaps the flux-guiding element 24 for a distance that falls within a range of 15 to 25% of the length of the MR height of the element 25 as measured in a direction perpendicular to the medium-facing surface 10a.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film coil with low resistance and low inductance, and a method of forming the thin film coil, and a thin film magnetic head, a thin film inductor and a thin film magnetic sensor each using the thin film coil. In the thin film coil, at least the side surfaces of the conductor of a first coil are completely coated with an insulating film, and the conductor of a second coil is formed on a substrate with the insulating film provided therebetween.

Abstract: A magnetic gap is formed to be vertical to the film forming surface of a substrate with high accuracy by a simple method. The method comprises a non-magnetic film forming step of forming a non-magnetic film made of the non-magnetic material on the substrate, a high selectivity film forming step of forming a high selectivity film made of a material which has a higher selectivity ratio with respect to reactive ion etching than the non-magnetic material, on the non-magnetic film formed, a patterning step of patterning the high-selectivity film into a predetermined shape, and an etching step of etching the non-magnetic film by reactive ion etching, using the high selectivity film as a mask.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel effect type magnetic head comprising a first soft magnetic conductive layer which is to provide a lower shielding layer 24, a metal oxide layer 25 and a first nonmagnetic conductive layer, formed on the first soft magnetic conductive layer, to provide a lower gap layer 26, a magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 formed on the first nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction element 27, a second nonmagnetic conductive layer formed on the magnetic tunnel junction layer 34 to provide an upper gap layer 28; and a second soft magnetic conductive layer formed on the second nonmagnetic conductive layer to provide an upper shielding layer 29, the metal oxide layer 25 in the lower gap layer 26 being formed beneath at least the magnetic tunnel junction layer 27.

Abstract: A slider for an optical head for signal recording and/or reproduction on or from a recording medium which, even if reduced in size, assures optimum signal recording and/or reproduction on or from a recording medium, and which may be produced readily. The slider for the optical head includes a slider member for floating and running over a recording medium during recording and/or reproduction of information signals for the recording medium, an optical lens bonded to the slider member and a magnetic field generating unit provided on a surface of the slider member carrying the optical lens facing the recording medium. The slider member is formed with a terminal groove opened in a its surface facing the recording medium and in its lateral surface, with an electrically conductive material being charged in the terminal groove. The electrically conductive material charged forms a terminal electrically connected to the magnetic field generating unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a magnetic head in which a magnetic yoke is formed on a substrate in parallel thereto by the thin film process, which comprises the steps of forming a yoke-patterned recess in a non-magnetic material layer formed on the substrate; and forming a magnetic yoke layer in such recess while forming a non-magnetic gap portion approximately normal to the substrate; wherein a split portion is provided to the gap portion so as to recess behind a level where a slide-contact plane with recording media is formed, which results in a magnetic head which can successfully prevent the noise generation over a long period, and can improve the playback efficiency.

Abstract: A thin-film single magnetic pole head which assures highly efficient magnetic energization of a main magnetic pole and which exhibits optimum recording characteristics even in case of recording on a double-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium with a high frequency. The thin-film single magnetic pole head includes a main magnetic pole consisting of a soft magnetic thin film and a return yoke. A thin-film coil for energizing the main magnetic pole is constituted by a plurality of conductor layers extending substantially parallel to one another and substantially at right angles to the main magnetic pole. The conductor layers are layered together in the up-and-down direction on both sides of the main magnetic pole. A thin-film coil for magnetically energizing the main magnetic pole is constituted by selectively interconnecting the conductors.

Abstract: It is to provide a process for forming a mask pattern and a process for producing a thin film magnetic head, in which burr is not formed on removing a resist. The process for forming a mask pattern comprises a first coating step of coating a first resist on a surface, on which the mask pattern is formed; a first exposure step of forming a pattern latent image by exposing the first resist; a second coating step of coating a second resist on the first resist; a second exposure step of forming a pattern latent image by exposing the second resist; a first development step of forming an upper layer mask pattern by developing the second resist; and a second development step of forming a lower layer mask pattern by developing the first resist, the upper layer mask pattern having a resist bridge part, and a space being present between the resist bridge part and the surface, on which the mask pattern is formed.

Abstract: A combination magnetic transducer head apparatus which can easily achieve initial formatting of data tracks of a rotating magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk without using a specific separate initial formatting system. The apparatus comprises a magnetic head for initial formatting, another magnetic head for servo control and a magnetic recording and playback head all mounted on a head slider. In the apparatus, at least one track is first recorded on a magnetic disk by the magnetic head for initial formatting and then another track is recorded by the magnetic recording and playback head while the first track is scanned by the magnetic head for servo control whereafter such a series of operations are repeated until completion of recording of all tracks required.