Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a magnetoresistive magnetic head having good, stable playback characteristics. In an MR head wherein an MR element is interposed between a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer, separated by non-magnetic layers. The lower shield layer and the upper shield layer are formed from a material having high permeability and high resistivity. Since the magnetic shield layers are formed from materials having high permeability and high resistivity, even if friction causes dragging of the head surface, there is effectively no short circuit between the magnetic shield layer and the magnetic element.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a rotary drum apparatus for rotating a rotary drum with a magnetic head and contacting the magnetic head to a first magnetic tape with a first tape width and a second magnetic tape with a second tape width, the rotary drum apparatus including the rotary drum situated at a lower part thereof and a fixed drum situated at an upper part thereof, the fixed drum having a tape guide groove for positionally restricting an upper side edge part of the first magnetic tape and an upper side edge part of the second magnetic tape, and first and second guide members for selectively guiding the first and second magnetic tapes, wherein the first guide members are configured to positionally restrict a lower side edge part of the first magnetic tape, and the second guide members are configured to positionally restrict a lower side edge part of the second magnetic tape.

Abstract: A magnetic head device having excellent sliding contact between its slider surface and magnetic tape at the time of scanning is provided. This magnetic head device has a base member, a thin-film magnetic head formed in contact with the base member and accommodated in a non-magnetic layer with the top end of a magnetic gap being exposed, and an auxiliary member which sandwiches the non-magnetic layer between the auxiliary member and the base member. On the top ends of the base member, the non-magnetic layer, and the auxiliary member, a slider surface on which magnetic tape slides is formed in the aligning direction of the base member, the non-magnetic layer, and the auxiliary member, or in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle to the aligning direction. Accordingly, the non-magnetic layer can be made thin, and the area of the non-magnetic layer on the slider surface is small.

Abstract: A non-magnetic layer is laminated on a lower magnetic layer. A first upper magnetic layer is formed on the non-magnetic layer so as to form a magnetic core together with the lower magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer. The first upper magnetic layer has a first saturation magnetic flux density and a first magnetostriction constant. An insulation layer is formed on the non-magnetic layer. A thin film coil is provided in the insulation layer. A second upper magnetic layer is formed on the insulation layer so as to be at least above the thin film coil. The second upper magnetic layer has a second saturation magnetic flux density and a second magnetostriction constant. The first saturation magnetic flux density is higher than the second saturation magnetic flux density. The second magnetostriction constant is lower than the first magnetostriction constant.

Abstract: A magnetic head unit includes a head chip, a plurality of magnetic head elements, a pair of side chips and a base member. The head chip has a first face. The plurality of magnetic head elements are arranged on the first face of the head chip. The pair of side chips sandwich the head chip from both sides of the first face thereof. The base member holds the head chip and the side chips. The head chip, the side chips and the base members are joined to each other by conductive resin.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a magnetoresistive magnetic head having good, stable playback characteristics. In an MR head wherein an MR element is interposed between a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer, separated by non-magnetic layers. The lower shield layer and the upper shield layer are formed from a material having high permeability and high resistivity. Since the magnetic shield layers are formed from materials having high permeability and high resistivity, even if friction causes dragging of the head surface, there is effectively no short circuit between the magnetic shield layer and the magnetic element.

Abstract: A pattern of lead terminals 22 is formed on a side face of a head body 4 provided with reproduction magnetic heads 9 each being formed with a magnetic gap 11 for reproducing at least an information signal, etc., recorded on a magnetic recording medium, and a preamplifier 6 for amplifying reproduction output detected by the magnetic gap 11 via the lead terminal 22 is mounted directly on the side face of the head body 4.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive thin film magnetic head is provided, which magnetic head includes: a base; a first yoke provided on the base and separated by a gap into first and second portions, the first portion including a side which opposes a magnetic recording medium; a magneto-resistive element which is magnetically coupled to the first and second portions of the first yoke and detects a magnetic recording signal; a second yoke formed on the first yoke so as to form a reproducing head gap between the first portion of the first yoke and the second yoke; and a third yoke provided between the first portion of the first yoke and the base so as to be magnetically coupled to the first portion of the first yoke. The reproducing head gap, the first portion of the first yoke, the magneto-resistive element, the second portion of the first yoke, ad the second yoke form a cut magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A non-magnetic layer is laminated on a lower magnetic layer. A first upper magnetic layer is formed on the non-magnetic layer so as to form a magnetic core together with the lower magnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer. The first upper magnetic layer has a first saturation magnetic flux density and a first magnetostriction constant. An insulation layer is formed on the non-magnetic layer. A thin film coil is provided in the insulation layer. A second upper magnetic layer is formed on the insulation layer so as to be at least above the thin film coil. The second upper magnetic layer has a second saturation magnetic flux density and a second magnetostriction constant. The first saturation magnetic flux density is higher than the second saturation magnetic flux density. The second magnetostriction constant is lower than the first magnetostriction constant.

Abstract: A magnetic head having a tunneling magnetoresistance effect achieves high density recording by narrowing a writing track width of a recording head. The magnetic head has a tunneling magnetoresistance effect and includes a first non-magnetic layer disposed on a substrate. A regenerating magnetic head, anchored in the first non-magnetic head, includes a regenerating magnetic core. A regenerating magnetic gap of the regenerating magnetic head is directed toward a side face direction of the first non-magnetic layer. A tunneling magnetoresistance effect element is connected to the magnetic core. A magnetic flux from the tunneling magnetoreisistance effect element is applied to the tunneling magnetoresistance effect element. A second non-magnetic layer is disposed on the tunneling magnetoresistance effect element. A shield magnetic layer is disposed on the second non-magnetic layer. A third non-magnetic layer is disposed on the shield magnetic layer.

Abstract: In a tunnel magnetoresistive element, a free layer whose magnetized direction is changed according to an external magnetic field is formed on a first insulative layer. A second insulative layer, through which a tunnel current flows, is formed on the free layer. A pin layer whose magnetized direction is substantially unchanged according to the external magnetic field is formed on the second insulative layer. The free layer and the pin layer respectively have lead-out portions on which electrodes for providing the tunnel current are formed. The lead-out portions extend such that the electrodes are not exposed on a surface facing a magnetic recording medium.