Abstract: A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) read head structure has the MR read head located between first and second shields (S1, S2) on a substrate with a shunt resistor R1 connecting S1 to the substrate and a shunt resistor R2 connecting S2 to the substrate, with R1 and R2 being approximately equal. Because R1 and R2 are close enough in value there is no significant interference pickup in the low frequency region. The shunt resistors can be formed from high-resistivity metal nitrides or cermets. The spacing between the substrate and S1 may be selected to make the capacitance between S1 and the substrate approximately equal to the capacitance between S2 and the substrate to substantially reduce interference pickup in the high frequency region.

Abstract: A magnetic head and a recording apparatus employing the same are provided. The magnetic head includes a recording member, a field inducing member inducing a magnetic field to the recording member, a shield member having the same direction of magnetization as the recording member in a recording operation, and a return path member forming a magnetic path with the recording member.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a pole layer and a shield. The shield includes a shield layer having a front end face located in the medium facing surface at a position forward of an end face of the pole layer along a direction of travel of the recording medium. The magnetic head further includes a stopper layer for suppressing protrusion of the front end face of the shield layer, the stopper layer being disposed adjacent to the shield layer and made of a nonmagnetic material having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 5×10?6/° C. or smaller at a temperature of 25° C. to 100° C.

Abstract: Composite thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate; a first insulation layer on the substrate; an MR read head element on the first insulation layer and provided with a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer and an MR layer with a sense current flowing perpendicular to a surface of the MR layer though the upper and lower shield layers; a second insulation layer on the MR read head element; an inductive write head element on the second insulation layer and provided with a lower magnetic pole layer, a recording gap layer, an upper magnetic pole layer with end portion opposed to an end portion of the lower magnetic pole layer through the recording gap layer and a write coil; and a nonmagnetic conductive layer electrically conducted with the lower shield layer and opposed to the substrate to increase the electrode area between the lower shield layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A transducer for a disk drive head includes a pole tip protrusion (PTP) compensation layer disposed proximate to a write element of the head to at least partially offset the effect of pole tip protrusion. The PTP compensation layer can be above, below, or within the write element. Suitable materials for the PTP compensation layer include zirconium oxide ceramics characterized by negative coefficients of thermal expansion such as ZrMo2O8.

Abstract: The invention provides a magneto-resistive effect device of the CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure, comprising a magneto-resistive effect unit, and a first shield layer and a second shield layer located and formed such that the magneto-resistive effect unit is sandwiched between them, with a sense current applied in a stacking direction. The magneto-resistive effect unit comprises a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer stacked and formed such that the nonmagnetic intermediate layer is interposed between them.

Abstract: A pole layer has an end face located in a medium facing surface, allows a magnetic flux corresponding to a magnetic field generated by a coil to pass therethrough, and generates a write magnetic field. A shield includes a first layer having an end face located in the medium facing surface at a position forward of the end face of the pole layer along a direction of travel of a recording medium, and a second layer disposed between at least part of the coil and the medium facing surface and magnetically connected to the first layer. The second layer has an end face closer to the medium facing surface, and this end face is located at a distance from the medium facing surface. A nonmagnetic layer made of an inorganic insulating material is provided between the end face of the second layer and the medium facing surface, and a photoresist layer is provided between the end face of the second layer and the nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic write head includes a main pole, a return yoke forming a magnetic path with the main pole, a side shield formed at both sides of the main pole, and a shield gap layer formed between the side shield and the return yoke. The side shield and the return yoke have portions connected to each, and are separated from each other by the shield gap layer in an area except for the portions which contact. A first gap layer formed of a nonmagnetic insulation material is formed between both sides of the main pole and the side shield. A gap is formed between an end portion of the main pole and an end portion of the return yoke and a second gap layer is formed in the gap with a nonmagnetic insulation material.

Abstract: A magetoresistive (MR) read head according to one embodiment includes a shield layer with a recessed portion and a protruding portion defined by the recessed portion; a first gap layer located on top of the recessed portion of the shield layer, the first gap layer including, an upper surface substantially level with an upper surface of the protruding portion of the shield layer a second gap layer located on top of the first gap layer and the protruding portion of the shield layer, an MR sensor formed above the protruding portion of the shield layer and the second gap layer. A combined thickness of the first gap layer and second gap layer is thinner adjacent to the MR sensor and the protruding portion of the shield layer than the recessed portion of the shield layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical magnetic recording head that records information on a recording medium, such as a magnetic disk, and a magnetic recording apparatus using the same. An object of the invention is to provide a vertical magnetic recording head capable of preventing the leakage of a magnetic field without deteriorating a recording performance and a magnetic recording apparatus using the same. A vertical recording magnetic head is mounted on a slider having a medium facing surface, and includes a main magnetic pole that includes a leading end exposed from the medium facing surface; and side shields that are separated from the side surface of the leading end by a first distance and are retreated from the medium facing surface by a second distance.

Abstract: A CPP thin-film magnetic head includes lower and upper shield layers separated by a predetermined distance and a thin-film magnetic head element disposed therebetween. Current flows in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the thin-film magnetic head element. The CPP thin-film magnetic head further includes an insulating layer positioned at the rear of the thin-film magnetic head element in a height direction and covering the thin-film magnetic head element and the lower shield layer, a first nonmagnetic metal layer provided in a region defined by the insulating layer, and a second nonmagnetic metal layer disposed between the upper shield layer and the first nonmagnetic metal layer, the insulating layer, and the thin-film magnetic head element. The second nonmagnetic metal layer allows current to flow from the upper shield layer to the thin-film magnetic head element through the first nonmagnetic metal layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) read head based on the spin accumulation effect has no electrical terminal and associated insulating layer in the read gap. The spin-accumulation type MR read head has an electrically conductive strip located on an insulating layer on the lower magnetic shield with a first end at the sensing end of the head and a second end at the back end of the head recessed from the sensing end. At the sensing end of the head, the upper magnetic shield is located on the free layer without an insulating layer. A resistance-detection circuit is electrically coupled to the upper shield and the lower shield at the back end of the head. At the back end of the head, an electrical terminal is located on the fixed layer and electrically insulated from the upper shield and a current-supply circuit is electrically coupled to the terminal and the lower shield.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to preventing short-circuit failure even in the narrow track width and narrow gap length, resulting in improved yield. In one embodiment, die sensor heads are placed on both sides of the track direction of the sensor film. The sensor heads comprise the first insulating film with at least a part connected to the track direction wall surface of the sensor film and the third insulating film formed between the upper shield and the first insulating film, and have the relationship being Tw<Dx<Bx where the distance between edges of the first insulating film connected to the track direction wall surface of the sensor film is Tw, the distance between outside edges of the first insulating film along the track direction Bx, and the distance of inside edges of the third insulating film along the track direction Dx.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention avoid loss of information as recorded, due to an external magnetic field applied. In one embodiment, a pole expanded part prone to occurrence of magnetic saturation is formed so as to prevent magnetic fluxes from being converged at ends of a return pole of a magnetic head.

Abstract: A PMR head comprises a substrate, a magnetic pole formed over the substrate, the pole having a pole tip having a cross-sectional tapered shape wherein the pole tip is surrounded by a write gap layer, an integrated shield comprising side shields on the substrate laterally surrounding the pole tip and a trailing shield overlying the pole tip and integral with the side shields.

Abstract: A side shield structure for a PMR write head is disclosed that narrows write width and minimizes adjacent track and far track erasure. The side shield structure on each side of the write pole has two sections. One section along the ABS and adjacent to the pole tip has a height (SSH1) defined by SSH1?[(0.6×neck height)+0.08] microns. There is a non-magnetic gap layer between the first section and a second section that is formed adjacent to the flared sides of the main pole layer and serves to suction leakage flux from the flared portion and prevent unwanted flux from reaching the first side shield sections. A fabrication method is provided that includes electroplating the first side shield sections, depositing the non-magnetic gap layer, and then electroplating the second side shield sections. Subsequently, a main pole layer and a trailing shield are formed.

Abstract: Magnetic recording heads and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed. A magnetic recording head has a first shield and a magnetoresistance (MR) read element formed on the first shield. The first shield has a shield height that is defined by a distance between the air bearing surface (ABS) of the recording head and a back edge of the first shield that is opposite the ABS. The MR read element has a stripe height that is defined by a distance between the air bearing surface (ABS) of the recording head and a back edge of the MR read element that is opposite the ABS. The magnetic recording heads as disclosed herein have a stripe height that is greater than the shield height.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a thin-film magnetic head with a dishing suppressed in the case of planarizing a magnetic shield which a read head portion has or a magnetic pole which a write head portion has is provided.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing adjacent track erasure include: a bucking coil having a lower number of turns than the write coil for bucking out a portion of the field induced by the write coil; a hybrid solenoid coil that includes turns that are in a pancake arrangement and turns that are in a solenoid arrangement; a P2 write pole tip with an increasing amount of flare as the distance from the ABS increases; a notch along an edge of the ABS surface of the P1 write pole adjacent to a tooth that extends closest to the P2 write pole; a back notch adjacent to the tooth on the P1 write pole that has a width generally corresponding to the width of the tooth; and a layered structure on the pole tip of the P1 write pole adjacent to the tooth, the layers having at least one of decreasing amounts of saturation magnetization, decreasing amounts of permeability, or alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material, where the width of the magnetic and nonmagnetic layers is controlled or the characteristics of the magnetic

Abstract: It is made possible to provide a magnetic head that generates a sufficient high-frequency magnetic field for assisting recording operations, and a magnetic recording device that includes the magnetic head. A magnetic head includes: a recording magnetic pole; a return yoke magnetically coupled to the recording magnetic pole; and at least two spin torque oscillators provided near the recording magnetic pole.

Abstract: A method for setting a voltage (Vsub) of a substrate to about a voltage (Vshield) of a shield of at least one reader formed above the substrate is presented in one embodiment. The method includes passing an MR bias current through each MR sensor of at least one reader formed above a substrate; and setting a voltage (Vsub) of the substrate to about the voltage (Vshield) of a shield of the at least one reader. A method according to another embodiment includes passing a bias current through at least one reader formed above a substrate, the at least one reader further comprising a shield and a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor, the substrate being at about a voltage (Vsub); and operatively adjusting a voltage (Vshield) of the shield of the at least one reader to about match the Vsub. Additional methods are also presented.

Abstract: A magnetic structure for use in a magnetic recording head, the structure having improved resistance to stray field writing. The magnetic structure can be for example a magnetic shield or a return pole of a perpendicular write element. The structure includes a main body portion which may have a generally rectangular configuration, and first and second wing portions extending laterally from the sides of the body at or near the ABS. The wing portions have a depth measured perpendicular to the ABS that is significantly less than the depth of the body portion (preferably less than 25 percent of the body portion). The wing portions may also have notches formed in their ABS edges. The wings conduct flux from the ABS edge of the body portion and create a flux choking effect for magnetic flux flowing into the wings.

Abstract: The invention provides a magneto-resistive effect device of the CPP (current perpendicular to plane) structure, comprising a magneto-resistive effect unit, and an upper shield layer and a lower shield layer located with that magneto-resistive effect unit sandwiched between them, with a sense current applied in a stacking direction, wherein the magneto-resistive effect unit comprises a nonmagnetic metal intermediate layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer stacked and formed with that nonmagnetic metal intermediate layer sandwiched between them, wherein the first ferromagnetic layer and said second ferromagnetic layer are exchange coupled via the nonmagnetic metal intermediate layer such that where there is no bias magnetic field applied as yet, their magnetizations are anti-parallel with each other, and at least one of the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer has an inclined magnetization structure with its magnetization inclining with respect to a track width direction

Abstract: In a side shield structure employed to narrow the effective track, a noise caused by the side shield structure can be reduced. In one embodiment, the side shield is inclined with respect to the film plane to suppress the generation of a magnetic pole in the end portion of the side shield. To this end, the side face of a device is inclined at a desired angle. Further, a reproduction device is formed at two or more angles ?1 and ?2 to improve the track width accuracy.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetic head and a method of fabricating the same. The magnetic head includes a reading head having an acute or an obtuse inclined angle with respect to an air-bearing surface (ABS). In addition, the magnetic head includes a writing head having a magnetic coil that is formed in parallel with the reading head and the ABS. The method of fabricating the reading head includes forming a first shield layer, a reading sensor, and a second shield layer on an inclined surface of an insulating layer that is formed in a reading head area.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head with a perpendicular magnetic recording structure includes a main pole layer, a nonmagnetic gap layer, and an auxiliary pole layer facing the main pole layer via the nonmagnetic gap layer. A surface of a top end section of the main pole layer has an inclined step that slopes from a lamination plane of the layers. The surface faces a top end section of the auxiliary pole layer. The top end section of the auxiliary pole layer has side shield sections at a position that is not exposed to an ABS. The side shield sections faces at least part of side surfaces in a track-width direction, of the main pole layer so as to cover at least part of the inclined step.

Abstract: Provided is a multichannel thin-film magnetic head having a plurality of read head elements neighboring with each other, each of which includes shield layers having a desired stable magnetic-domain structure. The head comprises at least one read head part comprising a plurality of read head elements aligned in the track width direction, wherein each of the plurality of read head elements comprises a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer, and the at least one read head part comprises: a lower shield part comprising a plurality of the lower shield layers aligned in the track width direction; and an upper shield part comprising a plurality of the upper shield layers aligned in the track width direction, and wherein dummy shield layers are provided respectively on both sides of at least the lower shield part.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a pole layer, a first and a second shield disposed to sandwich the pole layer, and a nonmagnetic layer disposed around the first shield. The pole layer includes a first portion having an end face located in a medium facing surface, and a second portion that is located farther from the medium facing surface than is the first portion. The second portion is greater in thickness than the first portion. A bottom surface of the second portion is located closer to a substrate than is a bottom surface of the first portion. The first shield has a first top surface portion opposed to the bottom surface of the first portion with the first gap layer in between. The nonmagnetic layer has a second top surface portion opposed to the bottom surface of the second portion with the first gap layer in between.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to prevent a head characteristic from being deteriorated by re-deposition or damage which occurs when a sensor film is etched, a track width is narrowed, and the head characteristic is stabilized. According to one embodiment, when it is assumed that the thickness of the sensor film on an air bearing surface is T, and a distance between an end of a medium layer that is interposed between a free layer and a pinned layer which comprise the sensor film and an end of the sensor film lowest portion, a relationship of 1.2×T?x?2.5×T is satisfied, and the ends of a pair of magnetic films which are in contact with both sides in the track-width direction through an insulator do not exist in the track central portion from the free layer end.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect thin-film magnetic head including a magnetoresistive effect element having a CPP structure in which the gap length can be precisely optimized and a method for fabricating the magnetoresistive effect thin-film magnetic head are provided. The stacked magnetoresistive effect thin-films having the cap layer as the top layer are formed on the bottom shield layer. The soft magnetic layer consisting of any soft magnetic material is then formed on the cap layer, and the micro fabrication process is performed. Subsequently, at least one insulating layer is formed on the stacked magnetoresistive effect thin-films after the micro fabrication process, having the cap layer as the top layer, on which the soft magnetic layer is formed. Then, the soft magnetic layer is exposed by removing a part of the insulating layer formed on the soft magnetic layer and the top shield layer is formed on the surface of the exposed soft magnetic layer.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a lower magnetic shield layer, an MR multi-layered structure formed on the lower magnetic shield layer so that current flows in a direction perpendicular to surfaces of laminated layers, an upper magnetic shield layer formed on the MR multi-layered structure, and an additional lower magnetic shield layer directly laminated on the lower magnetic shield layer outside both side ends in a track-width direction of the MR multi-layered structure. The additional lower magnetic shield layer is directly contacted with both side surfaces in a track-width direction of the MR multi-layered structure. A top surface of the additional lower magnetic shield layer is positioned higher in height than a top surface of the lower magnetic shield layer in a region where the MR multi-layered structure is formed.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic reading head that features high resolution and low noise, and that can support a hard disk with terabit-level surface recording density. A current is caused to flow from a pinned layer with its magnetization direction fixed by an antiferro magnetic material, to a non-magnetic thin wire having a portion affected by an external magnetic field and a portion not affected by the external magnetic field, so that spin polarized electrons are accumulated in the non-magnetic thin wire. A distance between voltage terminals of a voltmeter is set to less than the spin diffusion length of the non-magnetic thin wire. A change in the external magnetic field modulates some of the accumulated spin polarized electron, but does not others. Accordingly, an electrical potential difference depending on the external magnetic field is generated between the both end surfaces of the non-magnetic thin wire, and measured with the voltmeter.

Abstract: A magnetic shield in which all domain patterns and orientations are stable and which are consistently repeated each time said shield is exposed to an initialization field, is disclosed. This has been achieved by giving it a suitable shape which ensures that all closure domains can align themselves at a reduced angle relative to the initialization direction while still being roughly antiparallel to one another. Most, though not all, of these shapes are variations on trapezoids.

Abstract: Provided is a thin-film magnetic head in which the concentration of magnetic flux in the shield layer and the magnetic pole layer is suppressed. The thin-film magnetic head comprises a plurality of magnetic layers that have front surfaces reaching a head end surface on the ABS side. Further in this head, at least one of the plurality of magnetic layers has a shape in which: each of edges corresponding to both side surfaces extends so as to spread obliquely rearward with each other from an end of a straight edge in a track width direction corresponding to the front surface; and the front surface reaching the head end surface has a shape in which upper and lower corner portions in each of both end portions in the track width direction form obtuse angles or rounded shapes.

Abstract: In a helical scanning tape system including a magnetoresistive head; and a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer formed by oblique evaporation on a long nonmagnetic support, a signal being read with the magnetoresistive head by helical scanning, the track width of the magnetoresistive head is 0.5 to 0.8 ?m, the distance between shields is 0.13 to 0.145 ?m, and sensitivity is 1,862 ?Vp-p or more.

Abstract: A tunneling magneto-resistance element has a pinned magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer interposed between the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, an antiferromagnetic layer that pins a magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer, a lower shield layer under the antiferromagnetic layer and a seed layer under the lower shield layer. The lower shield layer causes the antiferromagnetic layer to be oriented in a plane orientation direction that causes a unidirectional anisotropy of the antiferromagnetic layer to be improved. The seed layer causes the lower shield layer to be oriented in a plane orientation direction identical to the plane orientation direction of the antiferromagnetic layer. The gap thickness in the read head can be reduced without impairing the effect of pinning by an antiferromagnetic layer with a pinned magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic writer writes to a magnetic medium including a plurality of tracks that each includes a plurality of isolated magnetic elements for storage of information. The magnetic writer includes a write element having a write element tip having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. A side shield is proximate the first side edge and no shield is proximate the second side edge.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a first return element magnetically coupled to the write element on a trailing side of the write element. A conductor is positioned proximate to an edge of the write element tip and is configured to generate an assist field that augments a write field generated by the write element. A shield that includes at least one gap extends from the first return element toward the write element tip.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating a write head with a self aligned wrap around shield and a self aligned flared region of a write pole. A flare point and a track width of a write pole may be fabricated using multiple processes. The multiple processes utilize several masking structures to define the track width and the flare point of the write pole. A mask structure is formed to cover a first portion of the write pole. An edge of the mask structure adjacent to an exposed second portion of the write pole defines a flare point of the write pole. Various structures of the write head, including shield gap layers, a wrap around shield and a flared region (e.g., the yoke) of the write pole may be fabricated from the flare point defined by the mask structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a write pole for perpendicular magnetic recording for accurately defining a side shield throat height and write pole flare point. The method includes the formation of a magnetic structure that provides an electronic lapping guide as well as providing the structure for both the side shields and the write pole. The magnetic structure includes a write pole portion and first and second side shield portions. The side shields portions are magnetically connected with the write pole portion in a region in front of an intended air hearing surface plane (e.g. in the direction from which lapping will progress). The side shields portions are each separated from the write pole portion in a region behind the intended air bearing surface plane by notches that terminate at a desired location relative to the intended air bearing surface plane and which open up in a region behind the intended air bearing surface plane.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes: a pole layer; a nonmagnetic layer disposed on part of the top surface of the pole layer; a gap layer disposed on the pole layer and the nonmagnetic layer; and a shield disposed on the gap layer. The top surface of the pole layer includes: a first portion having a first edge located in a medium facing surface and a second edge opposite thereto; and a second portion located farther from the medium facing surface than the first portion and connected to the first portion at the second edge. The first portion is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to the medium facing surface so that the distance from a substrate increases with increasing distance from the medium facing surface. The nonmagnetic layer has a bottom surface touching the second portion, and this bottom surface has an edge located at the second edge.

Abstract: To provide a perpendicular magnetic recording head which can prevent unintentional recording and erasing from occurring on recording media. In a perpendicular magnetic recording head comprising a pair of side shield layers made of a soft magnetic material on both sides in a track width direction of a magnetic pole part of a main magnetic pole layer, the pair of side shield layers have a front end face exposed at a medium-opposing surface and a side end face extending from one end part of the front end face remote from the magnetic pole part in the track width direction to the deeper side in a height direction, while the front end face and the side end face form an angle of 90° or greater therebetween.

Abstract: A magnetic head provided with magnetoresistance effect element, the magnetic head comprises first shielding layer superimposed on one surface of the magnetoresistance effect element and whose area is larger than that of this one surface, a first lead layer formed ranging from a portion where the first shielding layer is superimposed on the magnetoresistance effect element to another portion on the first shielding layer and which applies the sense current to the magnetoresistance effect element, a second shielding layer superimposed on another surface of the magnetoresistance effect element opposite to the one surface and whose area is larger than that of the other surface, and a second lead layer formed ranging from a portion where the second shielding layer is superimposed on the magnetoresistance effect element to another portion on the second shielding layer and which applies the sense current to the magnetoresistance effect element.

Abstract: A self pinned magnetoresistive sensor that has a relatively thick compressive material at either side to assist with self pinning. A shield having recessed portions at either side of the sensor area allows room for a thicker compressive layer than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes: a coil; a pole layer; a shield having an end face located in a medium facing surface forward of an end face of the pole layer along a direction of travel of a recording medium; a gap layer between the shield and the pole layer; and a substrate on which the foregoing elements are stacked. The top surface of the pole layer includes: first and second portions with a difference in height therebetween; and a third portion connecting the first and second portions to each other. The first portion has an edge located in the medium facing surface, and the second portion is located farther from the medium facing surface and from the substrate than the first portion. The magnetic head further includes a nonmagnetic layer disposed between the second portion and the gap layer. The nonmagnetic layer has a surface touching the second portion, the surface having an edge located at the boundary between the second and third portions.

Abstract: The inadvertent introduction of stray fields at the media surface by the shields that form part of a magnetic read-write head has been eliminated by using a combination of masking and ion milling to remove small amounts of material close to the shields' outer edges. As a consequence, instead of presenting a sharp edge to the ABS, a shield's lower surface slopes gently away from it.

Abstract: A method of producing a thin film magnetic head includes the steps of: forming a pair of openings in a predetermined region of a TMR layer formed on a lower magnetic shield layer; forming a pair of bias-applying layers in the pair of Openings so that an upper surface thereof may be located above an upper surface of the TMR layer; laminating a metal layer that covers the upper surface of a portion located between the pair of bias-applying layers in the TMR layer and the upper surface of the pair of bias-applying layers; forming a resist layer across the upper surface of a portion located above the pair of bias-applying layers in the metal layer and the upper surface of a portion located above the TMR layer in the metal layer; and etching a part of the TMR layer and a part of the pair of bias-applying layers with the resist layer being as a mask.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film magnetic head capable of suppressing an occurrence of a track erase, decreasing an influence on a magnetoresistive element caused by a magnetic flux generated from a thin film coil, and further decreasing the parasitic capacity. The thin film magnetic head has, in order in a stacked direction, a first magnetic shield layer, a magnetoresistive element, a second magnetic shield layer, a third magnetic shield layer, a main magnetic pole layer and a return yoke layer. A width in a track width direction of at least one of the first and the second magnetic shield layers is smaller than widths in a track width direction of the third magnetic shield layer and the return yoke layer.

Abstract: An underlying layer is composed of Co—Fe—B that is an amorphous magnetic material. Thus, the upper surface of the underlying layer can be taken as a lower shield layer-side reference position for obtaining a gap length (GL) between upper and lower shields, resulting in a narrower gap than before. In addition, since the underlying layer has an amorphous structure, the underlying layer does not adversely affect the crystalline orientation of individual layers to be formed thereon, and the surface of the underlying layer has good planarizability. Accordingly, PW50 (half-amplitude pulse width) and SN ratio can be improved more than before without causing a decrease in rate of change in resistance (? R/R) or the like, thereby achieving a structure suitable for increasing recording density.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head comprises a lower magnetic shield layer and an upper magnetic shield layer which are mutually opposed in the layering direction, a magnetoresistance effect element having a free layer, and a bias-applying layer which applies a bias magnetic field to the magnetoresistance effect element. The free layer is positioned between the lower magnetic shield layer and the upper magnetic shield layer, and is positioned on the side of the media-opposed surface. The bias-applying layer has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and the second portion are positioned at a distance in the track width direction so as to enclose the magnetoresistance effect element therebetween. The third portion is positioned either between the magnetoresistance effect element and the lower magnetic shield layer or between the magnetoresistance effect element and the upper magnetic shield layer, and connects the first portion and the second portion.