Abstract: An optical component comprising a plurality of optical input ports and a plurality of optical output ports. A polymer amplifying medium is provided within the component which is pumped by a pump source for exciting the polymer amplifying medium. Signals passing through the optical component are routed through the polymer amplifying medium. This, provides amplification using a polymer amplifying medium which is integrated into the structure of the component. This amplification can then compensate for the loss resulting from the other functions of the component.

Abstract: A microscope system whereby microscopic specimens can be continuously and autonomously maintained in focus without sacrifice to the optimum resolution of the objective. The system achieves focus by splitting the image emerging from the objective lens into two pathways, a focus test pathway and an observational pathway. Each pathway contains an electronically indexed lens module. The focus test pathway lens module is continuously varied, resulting in focal variations in its projected image. The focus test pathway lens position is correlated with the focus camera image for optimum focus. The indexed value for the optimum focus, obtained from the focus test pathway, is then compared to the index value of the lens module in the observational pathway where immediate correction is applied if necessary. Therefore, time and three-dimensional information which would be lost with conventional focusing is acquired, processed, and utilized without negative effects to the observational path.

Abstract: A first light diffusion layer (1) and a second light diffusion layer (2) are provided. The first light diffusion layer (1) is formed by dispersing a first light diffuser (1B) comprising fine particles in a first base material (1A) formed of transparent resin by 20 to 50 wt %, the fine particles of the first light diffuser having a refractive index different from that of the first base material by 0.07 to 0.17 and having a weight average particle diameter of 1 to 12 &mgr;m, and the first light diffusion layer having a thickness of 50 to 200 &mgr;m. The second light diffusion layer (2) is formed by dispersing a second light diffuser (2B) comprising fine particles having a weight average particle diameter of 1 to 12 &mgr;m in a second base material (2A) formed of transparent resin by 0.1 to 10.0 wt %, and the second light diffusion layer having a thickness of 500 to 5000 &mgr;m and a Haze value of 50 to 85%.

Abstract: A polarizer provide that has a high polarization degree and a high transmittance, which is made of a polyvinyl alcohol film, may be produced by a process of producing, comprising the steps of: subjecting a non-stretched polyvinyl alcohol film to uniaxial dry stretching treatment to give a stretch ratio of 4 times or less, dyeing the film, and then subjecting the film to uniaxial stretching treatment to give a stretch ratio of less than 1.5 times under the condition containing a boron compound.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix in combination with light directing materials to enable control of light emitted from a lighting fixture or display. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film, and the light directing materials are chosen to control the direction of polarized light reflected from or transmitted by the optical film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-functional separator which may be used as a demultiplexer or as a multiplexer in wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems. The preferred embodiment of the multi-functional separator includes a first polarization beam splitter, a non-reciprocal rotator; a reciprocal rotator, a second polarization beam splitter, and a non-linear interferometer. Each of the polarizing input and polarizing output ports includes an optical fiber, a collimator, a birefringent walk-off plate and a non-reciprocal optical rotator. The multi-functional separator is easily aligned by adjusting the positions of each of the polarizing input and output port. Further embodiments of the present invention provide additional optical isolation, optical circulation, optical comb filtering and/or two-stage channel separation capabilities.

Abstract: In a diffractive optical element, which is formed by laminating at least three layers of diffraction gratings made of at least three kinds of materials which differ in dispersion, at least three design wavelengths are set.

Abstract: A fiber optic isolator device is used by fiber optic systems operating at more than one wavelength. The device may be inserted anywhere within the fiber network. The fiber optic device permits the separation of the wavelengths so that an optical isolator module can isolate a first wavelength without significantly affecting the second wavelength. This device is useful isolating a communications signal at 1.55 &mgr;m while avoiding significant losses for an optical time domain reflectometry signal, for example at 1.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A method and system for providing different magnified images of an electronic device. The vision system has a first beamsplitter for receiving an image of the device illuminated by a light source, the beamsplitter providing multiple of images of the device; optical elements for receiving the plural images of the device, each of the optical elements magnifying the image by a predetermined magnification factor to produce more than one magnified images; and a second beamsplitter for receiving the magnified images and filtering out all but one of the magnified images based on a wavelength of the light source.

Abstract: A projection display system is disclosed, which enables aberration correction and can reduce the size of the system. The projection display system includes a liquid crystal panel displaying an image, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, formed by combination of two or more lenses, and correcting aberration of incident light from the liquid crystal panel, a total reflection mirror reflecting the incident light from the first lens group in a predetermined direction, and a second lens group having a negative refractive power, formed by combination of two or more lenses, and correcting aberration of the incident light from the total reflection mirror.

Abstract: An optical-position adjusting device for an optical unit comprises a movement-conversion mechanism that converts a rotational movement of a rotary wheel cylinder into a linear movement of a lens barrel, and an optical-position adjusting mechanism that positions the lens barrel with respect to the rotary wheel cylinder. The optical-position adjusting mechanism has a ring and a fixing member. The ring is fit on the lens barrel in such a manner that the lens barrel can be moved along the central axis thereof. The ring is non-rotatable relative to the lens barrel. The fixing member is provided for fixing the ring to a frame in such a manner that the ring can be released from the frame.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical system that enables focal length, image-formation position, etc. to be controlled in simple construction by bending the optical system to shift a light beam passing through it and so making use of an arbitrary portion of the optical system. In an image-formation optical system comprising at least two optical elements S1 and S2, the at least two optical elements S1 and S2 are mutually decentered to vary the properties such as magnification.

Abstract: Described is an assembly which includes a housing and a window member therein. Also, described is a method and system for manufacturing such assembly. In particular, a first part and a second part are approximated into a molding configuration to create a first mold therebetween. The first mold includes first and second molding cavities. When the first and second parts are in the molding configuration, the second molding cavity is sealed with respect to the first molding cavity. Then, a first molding material is added into the first molding cavity to create a housing. A window member is inserted into the second molding cavity. The second part is replaced with a third part to form a second mold including a third molding cavity surrounding a perimeter of the window member. Subsequently, a second molding material is added to the third molding cavity to create a seal surrounding the perimeter of the window member.

Abstract: A zero-clearance, axially displaceable aligning mount system for optical components includes an unthreaded mount receptacle having a transverse orifice and includes an aligning mount carrying lens elements or lens combinations. A cured plastic casting compound forms a thread substitute in the region of the transverse orifice and beyond it. Coating of this region with an antiadhesion agent, prior to application of the casting compound in pasty form, prevents the molded threads from sticking.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for precision positioning and alignment of a lens in an optical system. The apparatus includes a support, a lever having a pivot point, and a first actuator and a second actuator coupled to the lever and to the support. The first actuator and the second actuator are used to position the lever and thereby position the lens. The first actuator is used to make finer position adjustments of the lever than are made by the second actuator. In one embodiment, the first actuator and the second actuator are pneumatic bellows. In another embodiment, the first actuator and the second actuator are electromechanical devices. A spring can be used to apply a biasing force to the lever.

Abstract: A TIR prism system for DMD and a projector adopting the same make a loss of incidence light be reduced, and having a small size and light weight. In a TIR prism system having the DMD and for total reflecting the incidence light to a certain direction in accordance with that the DMD is controlled, the TIR prism system of the present invention includes a first prism for receiving the incidence light on a surface set before, refracting the light, and outputting the refracted light, and a second prism coupled to the first prism for receiving the light outputted from the first prism, transmitting the light to the DMD, and outputting the transmitted light after being totally reflected in accordance with that the DMD is controlled, whereby a loss of light energy inside the system can be reduced.

Abstract: An extremely compact prism optical element, image observation apparatus and image display apparatus which are capable of providing an observation image that is clear and has minimal aberration and minimal distortion even at a wide field angle. Light rays emitted from an image display device (7) enter an ocular optical system (12) through a fourth surface (6) and are totally reflected toward an observer's pupil (1) by a third surface (5). The reflected light rays are reflected by a first surface (3) disposed immediately in front of the observer's pupil (1) and then reflected toward the observer's pupil (1) by a second surface (4). The reflected light rays pass through the first surface (3) and are projected into an observer's eyeball (15) with the observer's iris position as an exit pupil (1).

Abstract: A servo test is performed on a disc drive. The servo test includes performing a position error sample (PES) threshold test on tracks in the disc drive and identifying those tracks that fail the PES servo sample test. Zero acceleration path (ZAP) learning is performed on the identified tracks, and is performed on less than all of the tracks on the disc drive. Another PES servo threshold test is performed on the identified tracks to determine whether they pass the servo test, given the ZAP learning process.

Abstract: A magnetic medium write precompensation circuit produces a precisely controlled delay for magnetic medium write precompensation by digital-to-analog converting a data value, low-pass filtering the digital-to-analog converted signal, and limiting the filtered signal to produce a desired time delay. One or more of the digital-to-analog conversion levels, limiting levels, and filter cutoff levels determines the amount of the delay. Feedback control may be employed to adjust the digital-to-analog conversion level, filtering, and/or the limiting level to thereby adjust the compensation time delay.

Abstract: To improve the track density by reducing the discontinuity of servo patterns to be generated by a servo track writer, some servo areas existing in one circuit of a magnetic disk are formed at the consecutive first and second circuits of a servo track writer by averaging a plurality of position signals detected from servo patterns at the first and second circuits of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A detector (55) and method for detecting a synchronization servo mark (SSM) in a data stream of mass data storage device (10) has a matched filter (56) to receive the data stream. The filter (56) produces a maximum output when the SSM is applied. A delay element receives (64) the matched filter output to produce a delay element output (72). When the delay element output (72) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (Vth) and is larger than the output value (74), the (SSM) is in a current time location. When the “D” element output (72) is greater than the predetermined threshold value (Vth) and less than the output value, the SSM is in the next time location. The threshold may be established to be less than maximum if the phase of the SSM is within a predetermined phase range.

Abstract: A method of recovering data from a data sector through adaptive fly height to improve reliability of a disc drive is disclosed. Encountering a data error in a data sector initializes an error recovery routine that increases a fly height of the read/write head for asperity encounters, or decreases the fly height of the read/write head for low amplitude read signal encounters. In the case of asperity encounters, when the increased fly height fails data recovery, the read/write head is positioned off track, then lowered to burnish the asperity and the data sector is re-read.

Abstract: In a rigid magnetic disk drive data storage device, the protective lubricant coating on the magnetic disk migrates toward the outer diameter during operation with the result that the radially inward portions of the data surface become depleted. Further, the depletion is nonlinear across the band of data tracks. Since most of the operating time in a typical application is consumed by idle periods between read and write commands, it is necessary that the slider be positioned during such periods where device life shortening head-disk contacts are least likely. The present invention adaptively allocates the idle position to the outermost data tracks where the most robust lubricant film remains. However, to avoid a contaminant buildup that could lead to a catastrophic head crash, it is necessary to periodically sweep the disk surface by accessing the innermost diameter of the surface and progressively moving the transducer carrying slider to the outermost diameter track to sweep any debris radially outward.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a tape transport servo system for a tape drive is disclosed. The tape reel motors are excited when the tape drive is not being controlled by the tape transport servo system. Then, calibration data is collected for the motor torque, motor friction, DAC offsets, and pulse width modulator control signal timing.

Abstract: In an essentially flat contour linear tape recording head, a nominal tape wrap angle exists at which reading signals from the magnetic tape ceases and/or commences. This nominal tape wrap angle can be easily determined by monitoring a prerecorded signal, such as the servo track signal, while the tape wrap angle is adjusted. When the signal ceases (or starts, depending upon the direction of adjustment) an initial position of the tape movement control device relative to the tape wrap angle is identified. At this initial position it is known that the tape wrap angle is at its nominal value, such as approximately 0.1°. Thereafter, the tape movement control device can be knowingly adjusted with a calibrated indicator to accurately and quickly achieve a desired final tape wrap angles.

Abstract: At the time of the loading of head, the CPU flows a plurality of different currents to VCM, and by reading the back electromotive force monitor value of the back electromotive force monitor circuit each time, the calibration value of the circuit is obtained, and by using this calibration value, head-loading control is executed. The calibration value obtained previously is compensated on the basis of temperature changes, temperature compensation coefficient that shows the relation between the variation of the calibration value of the back electromotive force monitor circuit, and the difference between the above-mentioned two measured temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unlatching a VCM in a disc drive is provided in which a determination is made if the VCM is stationary. A first unlatch current pulse that has a first amplitude and first width is applied to the VCM if the VCM is found to be stationary. An incremented unlatch current pulse is then applied to the VCM if the VCM is found to be stationary after application of the first unlatch current pulse. The incremented unlatch current pulse has at least one of an amplitude and a width that is greater than at least one of the corresponding first amplitude and the first width of the first unlatch current pulse.

Abstract: A servo track writer for writing a servo track signal to a disk medium in a disk drive including the disk medium, a head for reading/writing information from/to the disk medium, and an internal actuator for moving the head across tracks formed on the disk medium. The internal actuator has a rotatable carriage for supporting the head. The servo track writer includes an external actuator having an arm, a solid deformation element provided in relation to the arm, and an effector mounted on the arm; an internal actuator control unit for controlling the internal actuator; an external actuator control unit for controlling the external actuator; a solid deformation element control unit for controlling the solid deformation element; and an arm position detecting device for detecting a position of the arm. The solid deformation element is divided into a first segment functioning as an actuator for minutely displacing the carriage, and a second segment functioning as a sensor for detecting a position of the effector.

Abstract: A microactuating suspension assembly used for a disc drive is disclosed. The microactuating suspension assembly has a suspension load beam and a microactuator placed on the suspension load beam for bending the suspension load beam at the front end thereof during a sustained period of data read/write time and thus achieving a desired average fly-height which is different from an unaltered average fly-height which would have been achieved without the microactuator. In particular, the microactuating suspension assembly can be used to achieve a very low fly-height. Additionally, very large bandwidth and very short seeking time is made possible when a bimorph piezoelectric microactuator is used.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc, a beam extending from the voice coil motor to a gimbal point to provide a load force, and a slider that flies over the disc with a pole tip protrusion that has an ambient temperature sensitivity. The disc drive also includes a strut with a yielding bend section (YBS). Deposits of shape memory alloys (SMA) having different first and second transformation temperature ranges are deposited on the yielding bend section (YBS) and effectively reduce an ambient temperature sensitivity of the pole tip protrusion.

Abstract: A disk drive including a servo system that performs a learning operation for calculating a servo compensation value is disclosed. The servo system determines whether an initial learning value stored in a flash memory in advance is valid or invalid. When the initial learning value is valid, the servo system inhibits a normal learning operation from being performed. When the initial learning value is invalid, the servo system calculates a servo compensation value using the present learning value obtained by performing the learning operation.

Abstract: A disk drive system has a servo pattern with bursts that are recorded without multiple passes per burst and without trimming, so that the servo pattern bursts have the same width as the data tracks. The servo write steps occur in partial data track pitch (DTP) increments. A magneto-resistive (M-R) head is used to both record the servo pattern and transduce it. In a two-frequency system, relative gain calibration is performed using AGC circuitry to first calibrate one frequency and then the other. The resulting servo position error sensing (PES) signal has improved linearity and is simpler to write.

Abstract: A servo method and system for generating a position error signal in a disk drive including a magnetic data storage disk rotating relative to a base, a data transducer assembly positioned at concentric data tracks by a rotary actuator referenced to the base and controlled by a digital servo system, the data transducer assembly having a magnetoresistive (MR) read element, the digital servo system employing multiple servo bursts in servo sectors embedded within the data tracks. During servo track positioning/following for each target head position relative to a track, a plurality of the servo bursts are selected, and combinations of the burst amplitudes of the selected servo bursts are obtained. A substantially continuous position error signal (C_PES) is generated based on the combinations of the burst amplitudes, indicating radial position of the read head relative to the target position.

Abstract: A disk drive having a marker for identifying the transition between the first and last written servo wedges on a servo track. The marker indicates the likely position where closure error may occur during the operation of the hard disk drive. The marker is used by the control system of a hard disk drive to provide appropriate position control signals to the transducer assembly to maintain the proper positioning of the transducer about the disk surface. A method for forming the marker on a disk surface is further disclosed.

Abstract: In a hydrodynamic bearing according to the present invention a fixed shaft has different diameter sizes by positions so that overflow or splashing of lubricant out of the apparatus is prevented due to a centrifugal force during high-speed rotation, and lubricant reservoirs are provided in narrower clearances and in wider clearances so that the lubricant is induced to move toward lubricant reservoirs in narrower clearances due to surface tension while the hydrodynamic bearing is in stop, therefore overflow of the lubricant is prevented at the time of starting up.

Abstract: A disc stack assembly for use in a disc drive. A spindle motor hub includes an annular ring recess. A disc is clamped to the spindle motor hub by a disc clamp assembly comprising a clamp plate and a retaining ring. The clamp plate includes an inner ring engagement portion, an outer disc engagement portion, and an initial, substantially planar shape in an undeformed state. The retaining ring is secured within the annular ring recess and maintains the clamp plate in a conically deformed state so that the inner ring engagement portion of the clamp plate applies a first moment force against the retaining ring while the outer disc engagement portion of the clamp plate applies a second moment force as an axially directed clamping force upon the disc.

Abstract: A soft magnetic film has a composition represented by the formula FeXCoY&agr;Z wherein &agr; is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pd, Pt, Ru, and Ir and X+Y+Z=100 mass percent. The ratio X/Y by mass percent of Fe to Co is in the range of 2 to 5, and the &agr; content Z is in the range of 0.5 to 18 mass percent. This alloy exhibits a saturation magnetic flux density of at least 2.0 T and high corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises: an induction type head for recording including a lower magnetic core, a writing gap film formed on the lower magnetic core, an upper magnetic core having a track portion and a portion spreading from the track portion, a plurality of insulating films laminated between the lower magnetic core and the upper magnetic core, and a coil formed between the plurality of insulating films. One of the plurality of insulating films is an insulating film determining a zero throat level position. The track portion of the upper magnetic core extends to an air bearing surface. A magnetoresistance effect type head for reproducing includes a lower shielding film and a magnetoresistance effect sensor film between the lower shielding film and the lower magnetic core.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive that inhibits thermal pole tip protrusion includes a slider assembly having a slider exterior surface including a trailing surface, a slider interior region that is defined by the slider exterior surface, and a write head having an electrically coupled write coil positioned within the slider interior region. The write coil generates heat during write operations of the disk drive. The slider assembly also includes a heat dissipater positioned substantially within the slider interior region. The heat dissipater is electrically isolated from the write coil, and has a thermal conductivity of at least approximately 50 W/mK.

Abstract: A single reel with magnetic tape wound thereon is housed in a case. A restraining member, for restricting rotation of the reel by moving toward or away from the reel, is urged in a restraining direction by an urging member. The pushing-up portions of a releasing member are inserted into the through holes bored in the reel gear of the reel 2 so that the lower ends can abut a driving gear. The releasing member moves the restraining member in a releasing direction by moving according to the chucking operation of drive-side rotation drive means. In this manner, reel-rotation restraining means allows rotation of the reel when being used and restricts the rotation when not being used. In this construction, each of the through holes is bored between the tooth edges of the reel gear so that the releasing member can perform a reliable releasing operation.

Abstract: A magnetic disk unit includes a magnetic disk attached to a spindle so as to be rotatable, a slider having a magnetic head for reading/writing data onto/from the magnetic disk, a suspension for providing the slider with a predetermined load, and an actuator arm for positioning the slider attached to the suspension on the magnetic disk. A first pad including the magnetic head and second pads including no magnetic heads are disposed on an air bearing surface of the slider. During rotation of said magnetic disk, a part of the first pad keeps in contact with the magnetic disk. A load point of the suspension with respect to the slider is positioned between a leading edge of the slider and a position located at a distance equivalent to substantially 0.42 times a whole length of the slider from the leading edge of the slider.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprises an integral body of piezoelectric material having a length and width greater than its thickness; wherein the device further includes, in contact with the body, respective pairs of electrodes, wherein the electrodes of each pair are opposed in the thickness direction, wherein the body deflects along said transverse direction when a voltage is applied to the electrode pair. The present invention further provisdes a disk drive suspension and a head gimbal assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for positionally displacing a transducer, or multiple transducers, over a location on a data storage medium is disclosed. An actuator assembly containing at least one actuator arm supporting at least one transducer is used to access a desired location on the data storage medium. The actuator arm contains an intrinsically excitable element, such as piezoelectric material, responsive to a control signal to produce an excitement. The excitement in the element generates a movement of the element that is magnified by a flexure to positionally displace the transducer, which is attached to the flexure. The transducer is displaced from a current, or origination, location to the desired location.

Abstract: A microactuator comprised of a piezoelectric motor mounted on a flexure tongue with offsetting hinges, to perform a fine positioning of the magnetic read/write head. The substantial gain in the frequency response greatly improves the performance and accuracy of the track-follow control for fine positioning. The simplicity of the enhanced microactuator design results in a manufacturing efficiency that enables a high-volume, low-cost production.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for controlling a lapping process, so as to create a read/write head that contains a primary magnetoresistive read element with a desired stripe height. An improved lapping guide is achieved by incorporating a secondary magnetoresistive element into a read/write head. By virtue of its location on the same read/write head as a primary magnetoresistive element (used for reading data during operation of the disc drive), the secondary element is located in close proximity to the primary element, resulting in smaller tolerances in aligning or relating the top edges of the primary and secondary elements. Accordingly, the secondary magnetoresistive element more reliably serves as a proxy for the primary element. Optionally, the secondary magnetoresistive element may be fashioned with identical dimensions as the primary element, so as to render the secondary element equivalent to the primary element with regard to magnetic sensitivity.

Abstract: It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a shield and pole material with reduced magnetostriction while preserving good magnetic characteristics. This material is used in recording heads in tape and disk drives. The material is a repeating sequence of three layers. One layer is FeX(N) where the (N) indicates a nitrogenated film and the additional element, X, is preferentially Ta but can be selected from a group of elements. Another layer is made from a NiFe alloy. The third layer, disposed between the FeX(N) and NiFe layers is tantalum. The sequence of three layers is repeated to build the required thickness for the final material.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly with an air bearing surface (ABS) layer over a double-shielded magnetoresistive (MR) sensor and a write gap formed between two spaced magnetic pole tips, with an optional write-gap shield disposed so that one magnetic pole tip is disposed between the write-gap shield and the other magnetic pole tip. At least one of the MR element shields is electrically connected to one of the MR signal lead conductors (preferably the one having the most positive potential) and the one magnetic pole tip (and/or the optional write-gap shield) is coupled to the clamped MR element shield with an electrical conductor. For multi-track read/write arrays, the connection between adjacent reader shield and writer pole and/or shield is provided independently for each read/write pair in the array, thereby equalizing the voltage environments to reduce variations in the chemical/mechanical erosion of the read and write head ABS layers.

Abstract: A spin-valve thin-film magnetic element includes a substrate, an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer, a free magnetic layer formed on the pinned magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic conductive layer therebetween, a pair of hard bias layers, and a pair of electrode layers. The magnetic read track width Tw is set at 0.4 &mgr;m or less. At least a part of the free magnetic layer is composed of an NiFe alloy, the Ni content CNi in the NiFe alloy being in the range of 70.2 to 89.9 atomic percent, or the magnetostriction &lgr;s of the free magnetic layer is in the range of −7.0×10−6 to 2.0×10−5. A thin-film magnetic head using such a spin-valve thin-film magnetic head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel element (1) including a plurality of ferromagnetic films (5, 9) laminated across an insulating film (11) formed of metal oxide films (6, 7, 8) and in which asymmetric tunnel barriers are formed along the direction in which the ferromagnetic films (5, 9) are laminated by this insulating film (11) (6, 7, 8). There are also constructed a thin-film magnetic head, a magnetic memory and a magnetic sensor, each of which includes the magnetic tunnel element (1). Since a magnetoresistive ratio can be suppressed from being lowered by decreasing a bias voltage dependency, there are provided a highly-reliable magnetic tunnel element which can obtain a high output when the magnetic tunnel element is applied to a thin-film magnetic head and the like and a method of manufacturing such a magnetic tunnel element. When a magnetic head, a magnetic memory and a magnetic sensor include this magnetic tunnel element, they become highly reliable and also become able to obtain a high output.

Abstract: An electrical coil module of planar type manufactured by printed circuit techniques on a generally flat substrate (21) has a first layout (20) of conducing material constituting a first electrical conductor having an input terminal (23), arranged on one side of the substrate (21). A second layout (20′) of conducting material constituting a second electrical conductor having an output terminal (24), is arranged on the opposite side of the substrate. The first and second conductors are connected by an electrical connection (22) through the substrate (21), so that an electrical voltage connected between the input and output terminals of the coil module will drive a current from one terminal through the conductor on one side of the substrate via connection (22) through the substrate and the conductor on the other side of the substrate to the other terminal.