Abstract: A compound thin film magnetic head in which the upper shield of the readout MR head also serves as the lower magnetic film of the write inductive head. The upper shield has a layered structure including a shield part of soft magnetic material functioning as a shield to magnetically shield the MR head, a lower pole part and transition part of soft magnetic material functioning as a write magnetic pole opposing the upper pole of the inductive head, and a nonmagnetic separation layer to magnetically separate these. Between the lower pole part and the transition part, an additional nonmagnetic separation layer can be provided. The shield part can be configured from multiple magnetic films formed in layers and enclosing a nonmagnetic separation layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of off-track pickup by a read/write head in a disc drive are disclosed. The read element of the head is placed in a separation zone formed between two pole pieces. The separation zone is positioned along with the read element over a current data track. Another separation zone is formed between the two pole pieces at the sides of the read element. This separation zone formed at the sides of the read element is positioned over adjacent data tracks and has a smaller width to prevent the stray magnetic flux from the adjacent tracks from reaching the read element.

Abstract: As magnetic recording density is becoming denser, the spacing between the upper and under shields of a magnetoresistive head decreases accordingly and the insulating gap layers must be made thinner. This poses a problem that breakdown of a magnetoresistive layer occurs if dielectric strength against breakdown voltage is low. A magnetoresistive head is disclosed and its magnetoresistive element comprising a magnetoresistive layer 53 which converts magnetic signals to electric signals and a pair of electrodes 55 for allowing an electrically sensing current to flow across the magnetoresistive layer is made between upper shield 57 and under shield 52 with upper gap layer 59 and under gap layer 58 intervening between the magnetoresistive layer and the shields. By using a multi-layered varistor film or films 56 of a material such as ZnO, SiC, SrTiO, Si etc. in combination with an insulating material SiO2, Al2O3, etc.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer including an electrically conductive shield (ECS) which is disposed between the substrate and first magnetic shield is described. The ECS is preferably embedded in an insulating undercoat layer. The ECS is preferably electrically isolated from the magnetic sensor element and is externally connected to a ground available in the disk drive through the arm electronics. Two alternative ways for connecting the ECS to a ground are described. In one embodiment which is only effective with single-ended input type arm electronics, the ECS is connected to a ground through a via to a lead pad for the read head which is connected to the ground of the arm electronics. In a second and more preferred embodiment a separate lead pad is included on the head to allow the ECS to be connected to electronic or case ground when the head is installed in the arm. The extent of the ECS should be sufficiently large to cover the read head portion of the transducer, i.e.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head which realizes an accurate control of a pole width and a sufficient overwrite characteristic even when the pole width is narrowed. A top pole is magnetically coupled to a top pole tip by partially overlapping with a connection portion of the top pole tip. In a part of a bottom pole in a region corresponding to a magnetic coupling face in which the top pole and the top pole tip are magnetically coupled to each other, that is, an overlap region in which the top pole and the top pole tip overlap with each other, a magnetic shield layer having a shape in plane corresponding to the shape in plane of the overlap region is formed so as to be adjacent to a write gap layer. By the magnetic shield layer, propagation of a magnetic flux between the connection portion in the top pole tip and the bottom pole in the overlap region can be suppressed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having a free layer and a spacer layer. The spacer layer is between a first magnetic layer and the free layer where the spacer layer and first magnetic layer are tailored to produce a coupling bias on the free layer. A conductive layer is between a second magnetic layer and the first magnetic layer. The first and second magnetic layers are magnetized antiparallel with respect to each other. The first and second magnetic layers and the spacer and conductive layers are tailored to produce a pole density bias on the free layer. The apparatus also has a pair of shields. The free layer is located at a position between the shields such that an image bias and a sensor current bias, in summation with the coupling bias and the pole density bias, produce negligible bias on the magnetization direction of the free layer.

Abstract: When a magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head is used as a magnetic tape reproducing head, a contact noise which occurs when a magnetic tape contacts with a magneto-resistance effect element poses a problem. The invention provides a magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head which hardly causes such contact noise and a magnetic signal reproducing apparatus comprising such magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head. A part where a magneto-resistance effect element is formed in a magnetic tape sliding face of the magneto-resistance effect type magnetic head is formed to be a concave of 3 to 30 nm in depth. The contact noise hardly occurs even when the magnetic tape is slid by forming the part where the magneto-resistance effect element is formed into the concave. Still more, almost no output drops due to a spacing loss and a fully large reproduced output may be obtained by defining the depth t1 of the concave within a range of 3 to 30 nm.

Abstract: Provided are a thin film magnetic head and a method of manufacturing the same, which can prevent an output decrease without impairment of productivity and other characteristics, while adapting to an increase in a recording density. In the thin film magnetic head, an MR film is sandwiched in between first and second gap films having electrical insulating properties, which are sandwiched in between first and second shield layers. The first shield layer has an inner layer and an outer layer laminated in order from the MR film, and the second shield layer has an inner layer and an outer layer laminated in order from the MR film. The respective inner layers of the first and second shield layers have hardness higher than that of the respective outer layers thereof so as to prevent the first and second shield layers from deforming.

Abstract: The present invention is a read/write head for writing information to magnetic media and reading information from magnetic media. It includes a write head for writing information onto magnetic media, a read head for reading information from the magnetic media, and an electrical circuit element that is disposed proximate the read head that functions to generate an electromagnetic field at the read head that is generally oppositely directed to the electromagnetic field generated by the write head. The method for operating the read/write head in a hard disk drive, includes the steps of writing data onto a hard disk, while simultaneously generating an electromagnetic field at the read head that is directed oppositely to the electromagnetic field generated by the write head.

Abstract: A current perpendicular-to-the-plane magnetoresistance (CPP-MR) device includes a first magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield, and a spin valve structure. The first and second magnetic shields are formed of an electrically conductive and magnetically shielding material. A read gap is defined between the first and second magnetic shields, and the spin valve structure is disposed between the first and second magnetic shields. The spin valve structure is electrically connected and magnetically separated from the first and second magnetic shields such that the first and second magnetic shields act as electrical contact leads.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes an upper shield section, a lower shield section and a magnetoresistance device section between the upper shield section and the lower shield section. The magnetoresistance device section is connected to the upper shield section and the lower shield section through conductive layers. Current flows through the magnetoresistance device section via the upper shield and the lower shield.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of the present invention includes a magnetic head wherein the magnetic shields of the read head portion of the magnetic head are magnetically stabilized. Each magnetic shield is preferably fabricated as a laminated structure including a plurality of ferromagnetic material layers that are separated by spacer layers composed of a nonmagnetic material. In the preferred embodiment, the spacer layer is preferably composed of ruthenium, and the magnetic fields of the adjacent ferromagnetic layers are oppositely directed, whereby the magnetic fields within the adjacent ferromagnetic layers become antiparallel coupled. Due to the coupling, the magnetic fields in the ferromagnetic layers establish single domain states having flux closed ends, and the laminated shield structure has stabilized magnetic field properties.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic head including a bottom pole, a top pole spaced a predetermined distance apart from the bottom pole, an inductive write coil for forming a magnetic field at the bottom and top poles, and a magnetic shield layer positioned over the top pole.

Abstract: A spin valve sensor of a read head has a platinum manganese (PtMn) pinning layer that pins a magnetic moment of an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure. The pinned layer structure has a first AP pinned layer exchange coupled to the pinning layer so that the magnetic moment of the first AP pinned layer is pinned in a first direction and has a second AP pinned layer that has a magnetic moment pinned in a second direction antiparallel to the first direction. A free layer structure of the spin valve sensor is located asymmetrically between first and second shield layers so that when a sense current is conducted through the sensor a net image current field is executed on the free layer structure by the shield layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissipating heat generated in a sensor element of a vertical magnetoresistive recording head or flux guide magnetoresistive recording head having a recess formed in the lower and/or upper magnetic shields for enhancing efficiency during reading data from a magnetic medium. Heat is dissipated through a non-magnetic metal filler layer (10, 12) formed in the shield recesses (140) between an upper (2) or lower (6) metal shield and a sensor element (4) comprising a magnetoresistive head structure. The metal filler (10, 12) must be non-magnetic, must avoid an electrical short between the sensor element and the upper (2) or lower (6) magnetic shield, and must be compatible with the adjacent shield in terms of adhesion thereto and the thermal expansion coefficient thereof. An insulator layer (11, 20) comprising an electrical insulator is formed between the sensor element (4) and the metal filler (10, 12) to insure electrical insulation.

Abstract: A read head for use with magnetic recording media having a plurality of magnetic tracks includes a read sensor, first and second magnetic lead shields for improving track resolution, and first and second magnetic shields for improving linear resolution. The read sensor is formed on a side wall of one of the first and second magnetic lead shields using a technique such as ion beam deposition for enhanced film growth rate on the side wall. A magnetic disc drive storage system incorporating the read head and a method of making the read head are also included.

Abstract: It is an object of a method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head of the invention to improve the insulating property between an electrode connected to a magnetoresistive element and a shield layer without increasing the thickness of an insulating layer between the magnetoresistive element and the shield layer. In the method, a pair of conductive layers to be the electrode (lead) connected to the MR element are formed on an insulating layer. Magnetic layers are formed to surround the conductive layers while an insulating film is placed between the magnetic layers and the conductive layers. Next, an insulating layer of alumina, for example, is formed over the entire surfaces of the magnetic layers. This insulating layer is polished to the surfaces of the conductive layers and flattened.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect type reproducing head is formed by stacking a lower magnetic shield made of magnetic material, a lower inter-layer insulation film, a magnetoresistive effect type element for detecting magnetic field by using a magnetoresistive effect, an upper inter-layer insulation film, and an upper magnetic shield made of magnetic material, on a substrate in this order, wherein a resistivity of at least one of the lower and upper magnetic shields is more than 200 &mgr;&OHgr;·cm.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer with selected elements recessed from the surface of the transducer is disclosed. The magnetic sensor element is recessed below its surrounding gap material and the second shield (S2) is preferably recessed below the level of the gap material. Recessing the selected elements below the surrounding ceramic material, results in superior resistance to physical distortion resulting from the action of the moving magnetic media. Applicant discloses two methods for producing magnetic transducers with recessed elements according to the invention. One method uses a lapping medium which chemically etches the selected material more aggressively than the surrounding material resulting in the selected material being recessed from the surface of the transducer. For transducers in which the magnetic sensor element and the second (S2) are made from alloys of nickel and iron, an acidic lapping medium is preferred to achieve the desired structure.

Abstract: In the present invention, a common lead and shield layer is used so as to be electrically contacted with a tunnel multilayered film for supplying a sense current to the tunnel multilayered film. The common lead and shield layer extends to a rear portion of the tunnel multilayered film from an ABS (Air Bearing Surface) so that a part of the common lead and shield layer located at the rear portion of the tunnel multilayered film serves as a back flux guide for improving a read output. Therefore, a lead gap can be remarkably reduced to easily achieve the high-density recording. Further, a large and stable head output suitable for the ultra-high density recording can be obtained with an improved biasing efficiency.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive sensor element and electrical contacts coupled to the magnetoresistive element configured to sense a response of the magnetoresistive element to a magnetic field. A magnetic shield is positioned adjacent the magnetoresistive element and configured to shield the magnetoresistive element from stray magnetic fields. The shield has a substantially stable magnetic domain pattern. A shield flux thief is positioned generally in a plane of the shield and spaced apart from the shield by a gap.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect type reproducing head includes a lower magnetic shield made of magnetic material, an upper magnetic shield made of magnetic material, a magnetoresistive effect type element formed between the lower magnetic shield layer and the upper magnetic shield layer, a lower inter-layer insulating film formed between the magnetoresistive effect type element and the lower magnetic shield, and an upper inter-layer insulation film formed between the magnetoresistive effect type element and the upper magnetic shield. At least one of the lower and upper magnetic shields includes a first magnetic layer made of a first material having first electric resistivity and a second magnetic layer made of a second material having second electric resistivity higher than the first electric resistivity.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus has a two-layered medium of a soft magnetic backing layer and a perpendicular recording layer, and a perpendicular recording head having a recording section including a main magnetic pole, an auxiliary magnetic pole and an exciting coil, and a reproducing section including a reproducing element sandwiched between a pair of reproducing shields, the reproducing section and the recording section being formed separately from each other. The auxiliary magnetic pole is recessed from the air-bearing surface of the main magnetic pole, and the distance between the auxiliary magnetic pole and the reproducing shield positioned adjacent to the auxiliary magnetic pole is set to permit a magnetic field generated under the auxiliary magnetic pole to be larger than a magnetic field under the shield.

Abstract: A read head shield having improved stability includes a ferromagnetic (FM) layer and an anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) layer adjacent the FM layer. The FM layer has a patterned shape and a domain configuration that is defined by a plurality of local magnetic domains that are stabilized in accordance with the patterned shape. The AFM layer is annealed to imprint thereon the stabilized local magnetic domains of the FM layer. The AFM layer operates to increase the stability of the domain configuration of the FM layer thereby providing improved resistance to domain configuration shift caused by the application of a strong magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor for use in a magnetic storage system including a magnetic storage media having multiple concentric microtracks with information stored thereon. The MR sensor includes a plurality of generally parallel layers that form an MR stack. The MR sensor also includes a top shield and a bottom shield that are spaced apart on opposite sides of the MR stack in a longitudinal direction. The Mr sensor further includes a first and a second side shield spaced apart on opposite sides of the MR stack in a transverse direction. The top shield, bottom shield, first side shield and second side shield substantially surround the MR stack.

Abstract: An MR thin-film magnetic head includes a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer, a MR multilayer sandwiched between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer, the MR multilayer being electrically connected with the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer, a current flowing through the MR multilayer in a direction perpendicular to surfaces of layers, and a lead conductor having one end electrically connected to the upper shield layer and the other end connected to a terminal electrode. The lead conductor is patterned such that an area of said lead conductor located above said lower shield layer becomes small.

Abstract: According as the gap layer formed between the magnetoresistive effect element and the shielding layer becomes smaller along with the recent tendency toward a higher recording density, the electrode layer of the magnetoresistive effect element and the shielding layer have been electrically connected, and this has caused a deterioration of the reproduction property. An insulating layer is formed under an electrode layer of a magnetoresistive effect element interposed a lower gap layer therebetween. As a result, the distance between the electrode layer and the lower shielding layer becomes longer, thus permitting maintenance of a satisfactory electrical insulation.

Abstract: A read element for a tape drive system is disclosed. The read element generally comprises a magneto-resistive sensor electrically coupled to first and second leads and at least one electrically conductive magnetic shield proximate the magneto-resistive element. A resistor is electrically connected to the conductive magnetic shield and to one or more of the first and second leads. The resistor is disposed between the first and second leads. The resistor continuously discharges electric charge that builds up on the conductive magnetic shield. The resistor typically has a resistance that is large enough to protect against noise due electrical shorting of the conductive magnetic shield and small enough to prevent a build-up of electric charge on the shield.

Abstract: A concave portion corresponding to the reading track width is formed in the surface of a bottom shield layer so that a step is formed in an insulating layer (bottom shield gap film) between the region where an AMR element is formed and the region where a lead electrode layer is formed. Thereby, the lead electrode layer can be made thicker. At the same time, a step on a top shield layer side can be suppressed even if the lead electrode layer is formed thick. Also, height of a photoresist pattern used for lift-off can be decreased so that the reading track width can be made narrow.

Abstract: A read/write head includes a bottom shield and a shared shield. The shared shield includes a first domain and a plurality of closure domains. The read/write head also includes a magnetoresistive sensor deposited adjacent an air bearing surface between the bottom shield and the shared shield. The magnetoresistive sensor includes a magnetoresistor aligned with the first domain. Non-magnetic material separates the magnetoresistive sensor from the bottom shield and the shared shield. The shared shield includes a shaped feature that defines an unambiguous direction of magnetization for the first domain.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect type reproducing head is formed by stacking a lower magnetic shield made of magnetic material, a lower inter-layer insulation film, a magnetoresistive effect type element for detecting magnetic field by using a magnetoresistive effect, an upper inter-layer insulation film, and an upper magnetic shield made of magnetic material, on a substrate in this order, wherein a resistivity of at least one of the lower and upper magnetic shields is more than 200 &mgr;&OHgr;·cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-resistance effect (hereinafter, referred to as MR) type composite head.

Abstract: The hard disk testing and certifying device of the present invention includes a spin stand to rotate a disk to be tested. A single read/write head, including both a write head and a read head is mounted upon an armature which movably supports the read/write head. The device includes a computerized control system and signal processing system that provides write signals to the write head and receives and processes read head signals from the read head. In the preferred embodiment the read/write head simultaneously provides write signals to the disk and receives read signals from the disk. Preferably, the read/write head functions continually and the certification testing is conducted utilizing a spiral path. In the preferred read/write head the read head is disposed behind the write head and an electromagnetic field shield is disposed between them to reduce electromagnetic field interference between the write head and the read head during simultaneous operation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a magnetoresistive head is disclosed. The magnetoresistive head includes a first shield, a second shield, a magnetoresistive element, a first gap, and a second gap. The first gap is for insulating the magnetoresistive element from the first shield. The second gap is for insulating the magnetoresistive element from the first shield. The method and system include providing a heat conduction path coupled to the first shield and to the second shield. Heat may be transferred from the first shield and from the second shield via the heat conduction path.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive head, a marking layer is formed on at least one of the upper side of an upper shielding layer and the lower side of a lower shielding layer so as to be opposed to a magnetoresistive sensor layer. The leading ends of the magnetoresistive sensor layer and the marking layer are exposed at a medium-sliding surface on which a recording medium slides, and the leading end of the marking layer is shaped so that the length thereof in the widthwise direction is equal to the length from the leading end to the rear end of the magnetoresistive sensor layer. The center in the widthwise direction of the marking layer is placed on a straight line which intersects the magnetoresistive sensor layer via the center in the widthwise direction of the magnetoresistive sensor layer.

Abstract: In formation of an upper shield of a magnetic thin film head by electroplating, a current density of electroplating is regulated stepwise with time. Thus, in the upper shield formation, a film composition and magnetic characteristic with respect to the direction of film thickness can be controlled precisely, making it possible to provide a magnetic thin film head featuring significantly reduced noise-after-write and output fluctuation.

Abstract: An integrated thin film head comprises, in order to prevent short-circuit among the lead layer, upper lead layer and shield layers, a lower shield layer formed on a substrate, a lower readgap layer formed on the lower shield layer, an MR sensor layer formed on the lower readgap layer, a lead layer jointed with the MR sensor layer, an upper lead layer formed in contact with a part of the lead layer, an upper readgap layer formed to cover the MR sensor layer, lead layer and upper lead layer and an upper shield layer formed on the upper readgap layer. The part of the lead layer in contact with the upper lead layer is formed thinner than the part not contact with the upper lead layer.

Abstract: A helical scan magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus incorporating an MR head to serve as a reproducing magnetic head is arranged to convert data which is recorded on a magnetic tape into data in the form of DC-free code trains. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is provided with a high-pass filter for attenuating low-frequency components of a reproduced signal detected by the MR head. Moreover, a demodulating circuit is provided which demodulates data in a state before data is converted into the DC-free code trains from the reproduced signal, in which the low-frequency components have been attenuated by said high-pass filter. As a result, noise (thermal asperities) in a low-frequency region caused when the magnetic tape and the MR head are brought into contact with each other is removed so that a reproduced output free from excessive noise is obtained. The high-pass filter is, for example, a rotary transformer mounted on rotational drum.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor which, despite a narrow reproducing shield gap, affords high resolution and high reproducing output because of its structure to minimize the amount of sense current leaking into the shield layer through the gap layer. A magnetic storage apparatus suitable for high-density recording which is provided with a magnetic head having said magnetoresistive sensor. The structure is characterized in that at least either of the lower shield layer or upper shield layer is partly or entirely a magnetic layer which is a composite film composed of ferromagnetic metal and oxide, and an insulation protective film is arranged between the electrode film or longitudinal bias film and the magnetic film which is a composite film composed of ferromagnetic metal and oxide.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head supporting structure includes: an FeAlSi alloy film; a ceramic substrate used for structural support of the FeAlSi alloy film; and an intermediate multilayer structure disposed between the FeAlSi alloy film and the ceramic substrate. The intermediate multilayer structure includes a Cr film and an Fe film, which are stacked in this order over the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect type reproducing head is formed by stacking a lower magnetic shield made of magnetic material, a lower inter-layer insulation film, a magnetoresistive effect type element for detecting magnetic field by using a magnetoresistive effect, an upper inter-layer insulation film, and an upper magnetic shield made of magnetic material, on a substrate in this order, wherein a resistivity of at least one of the lower and upper magnetic shields is more than 200 &mgr;&OHgr;·cm.

Abstract: A lower shield layer is formed in a multilayered structure in which four magnetic layers are laminated with nonmagnetic intermediate layers held therebetween. The static magnetic coupling produced at the end of each of the magnetic layers can promote the condition to put each of the magnetic layers into the single magnetic domain state. An upper shield layer is also formed in a multilayered structure including two magnetic layers so that the two magnetic layers are put into the single magnetic domain state, and the shield function and core function can simultaneously be improved.

Abstract: An method and article of manufacture for reducing noise detected by a magnetic read head. In particular it relates to reducing magnetic interference at a magnetic read head by dynamically positioning a piece of highly permeable nickel-copper alloy near the magnetic read head thereby shunting the interfering magnetic radiation away from the read head.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect type reproducing head is formed by stacking a lower magnetic shield made of magnetic material, a lower inter-layer insulation film, a magnetoresistive effect type element for detecting magnetic field by using a magnetoresistive effect, an upper inter-layer insulation film, and an upper magnetic shield made of magnetic material, on a substrate in this order, wherein a resistivity of at least one of the lower and upper magnetic shields is more than 200 &mgr;&OHgr;·cm.

Abstract: A read-write head is capable of suppressing fluctuation on a reproduced waveform caused by repetition of a writing and reading operation, and is capable suppressing noise appearing in the reproduced waveform just after a writing operation is carried out. The read-write head has an upper magnetic core, an upper shield also serving as an lower magnetic core, a lower shield and a magnetoresistive film arranged between the upper shield and the lower shield. The upper shield has a soft magnetic film having a magnitude of anisotropy field of 5 to 30 Oe, or is a multilayer film composed of a high saturation magnetic flux density film and a negative magneto-striction film. The lower shield has a soft magnetic film having a magnitude of anisotropy field of 5 to 30 Oe.

Abstract: An upper shield layer includes a Ni—Fe alloy underlying film formed by sputtering deposition, and a Ni—Fe alloy plating film formed on the underlying film by electroplating. The Fe composition ratio distribution of the upper shield layer in the thickness direction ranges from 17 to 19% by weight.

Abstract: An MR or GMR head is described which solves a head spiking problem with a charge clamp structure which provides a noninsulating electrical path from a conducting shield to an MR element lead to prevent charge buildup. Various embodiments of the charge clamp which are described include a center-tapped resistor which provides an electrical path from the S2 shield (and optionally the S1 shield) to both leads of the MR element to form a self-tracking clamp. Alternatively the resistance configurations described can be duplicated for each shield. A storage system using the invention connects the system's bias circuitry to apply a dc bias voltage on the MR elements leads which in turn are electrically connected to the shield.

Abstract: A spin valve magneto-resistance effect head includes a spin valve film, a pair of magnetic shield members, and a support member. Each of the pair of magnetic shield members is arranged opposite to each surface of the spin valve film. The support member is arranged between the spin valve film and the pair of magnetic shield members for setting the relative position therebetween (D1>D2) in order to form a predetermined gap having non-conductivity therebetween. The change of resistivity based on giant magneto-resistance effect for signal magnetic field applied from a storage medium is output from the spin valve film as voltage drop in response to sense current applied from an outside. The antiferromagnetic layer is provided in order to magnetize the pinned layer to a direction orthogonal to the direction of the sense current by forming magnetic field by an exchange coupling to the pinned layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thin film device in which a function of electrostatic breakdown prevention can be enabled or disabled with ease and at which a member for electrostatic breakdown prevention can be externally provided with ease. The thin film device includes a thin film element, at least two lead conductors and a member for switching. The lead conductors, each connected to the thin film element at one end, are respectively connected to output terminals at the other ends. The member for switching, which is connected between the lead conductors performs a switching operation on energy supplied from the outside to prevent any electrostatic breakdown of the thin film element.

Abstract: In a thin film magnetic head including a first magnetic layer 36, a write gap layer 41 and a second magnetic layer 42, 47 formed on a substrate 31, 32 and one or more thin film coil layers provided between the first and second magnetic layers, in order to shorten a magnetic path length of the thin film coil and to improve characteristics by reducing a spacing between successive coil windings of at least one thin film coil layer, a silicon oxide film 37 is formed on the first magnetic layer 36, coil-shaped recesses 38 are formed by a reactive ion etching in a surface of the silicon oxide layer with a narrow spacing, a copper layer is deposited by Cu-CVD, the copper layer is polished by CMP such that the surface of the silicon oxide layer is exposed to form coil windings 40 of the first thin film coil layer, and the write gap layer is formed on the coil windings.