Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a substrate, and a magneto-resistive element portion which is provided on the substrate and has a predetermined magneto-sensitive direction, and in which a bias magnetic field is applied in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the magneto-sensitive direction. The magneto-resistive element portion includes a magnetic layer having a negative magneto-striction constant, and stress-induced anisotropy of the magnetic layer develops in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of the bias magnetic field in response to a tensile stress act on the substrate in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the magneto-sensitive direction.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, includes a module having a media facing surface. The module comprises the following components. A sensor is recessed from the media facing surface. A flux guide extends from the media facing surface toward the sensor. A soft bias layer is positioned on opposite sides of the sensor in a cross-track direction. A stabilization layer is located above the sensor, flux guide and soft bias layer for stabilizing the soft bias layer. A nonmagnetic exchange break layer is positioned above the sensor and the flux guide for magnetically decoupling the sensor and the flux guide from the stabilization layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistor device includes a magnetoresistor, a protection layer, a first conductive structure, and a second conductive structure. The magnetoresistor is disposed over a substrate. The protection layer is formed over a portion of the magnetoresistor. The first conductive structure is disposed over the protection layer and includes a lower barrier layer and a metal layer disposed over the lower barrier layer. The second conductive structure is disposed over the substrate and partially covers the magnetoresistor. The second conductive structure includes the lower barrier layer and the metal layer disposed over the lower barrier layer.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to semiconductor devices comprising a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). In an aspect, a method of forming a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) includes forming a layer stack above a substrate, where the layer stack includes a ferromagnetic reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer and a ferromagnetic free layer and a spin-orbit-torque (SOT)-generating layer. The method additionally includes, subsequent to forming the layer stack, patterning the layer stack to form a MTJ pillar.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reading apparatus has a magnetic head and a system controlling a flying height of the magnetic head. The system includes a main control unit, a resistance measurement unit which measures a resistance value of a magnetic flux control layer, a calculation unit which obtains a resistance value change rate with respect to an initial resistance value, a determination unit which determines a flying height for recording corresponding to the resistance value change rate, and a flying height control unit which controls a flying height of the magnetic head.

Abstract: At least one magnetoresistance effect element and a magnetic field applying unit to apply a magnetic field to the magnetoresistance effect element, the magnetic field applying unit includes a first ferromagnetic material having a portion protruding to the magnetoresistance effect element side in a stacking direction of the magnetoresistance effect element, a second ferromagnetic material sandwiching the magnetoresistance effect element with the first ferromagnetic material, and a coil wound around the first ferromagnetic material, a first magnetization free layer of the magnetoresistance effect element has a portion free of overlapping with at least one of a second surface of the protruding portion on the magnetoresistance effect element side and a third surface of the second ferromagnetic material on the magnetoresistance effect when viewed in the stacking direction, and a center of gravity of the first magnetization free layer, positioned in a region connecting the second surface and the third surface.

Abstract: Improved spin hall MRAM designs are provided that enable writing of all of the bits along a given word line together using a separate spin hall wire for each MTJ. In one aspect, a magnetic memory cell includes: a spin hall wire exclusive to the magnetic memory cell; an MTJ disposed on the spin hall wire, wherein the MTJ includes a fixed magnetic layer separated from a free magnetic layer by a tunnel barrier; and a pair of selection transistors connected to opposite ends of the spin hall wire. An MRAM device and method for operation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor with increased sensitivity, lower noise, and improved frequency response is described. The sensor's free layer is ribbon shaped and is closely flanked at each long edge by a ribbon of magnetically soft, high permeability material. Side stripes of soft magnetic material absorb external field flux and concentrate the flux to flow into the sensor's edges to promote larger MR sensor magnetization rotation. Side stripes are located in the plane of the free layer at a maximum distance of 0.1 microns from each side of the free layer. The free layer has a width <300 nm, a length of >1 micron, and an aspect ratio (thickness/width) of at least 5. Preferably, Mfilmtfilm>Mfreetfree, where Mfilm and Mfree are the magnetization of the soft magnetic layers and free layer, respectively, and ffilm and tfree are the thickness of the soft magnetic layers and free layer, respectively.

Abstract: A tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) read head for magnetic tape has a tape-bearing surface (TBS) and includes a first magnetic shield, a first gap layer on the first shield, a TMR sensor on the first gap layer and recessed from the TBS, a second gap layer on the TMR sensor, a second magnetic shield on the second gap layer, and a magnetic flux guide between the first and second gap layers between the TBS and the recessed TMR sensor. The first gap layer has an insulating portion with an edge at the TBS and a non-magnetic electrically-conducting portion recessed from the TBS, with the TMR sensor located on the conductive portion. The sense current is between the two shields. An insulating isolation layer may be located between the first gap layer and the first shield layer with the sense current being between the second shield and the first gap layer.

Abstract: A sensor structure that has a sensor stack comprising a recessed AFM layer, a combined pinned layer/reference layer (PL/RL) directly on the AFM layer, a free layer (FL), and a barrier layer between the PL/RL and the FL. All the magnetic layers between the AFM layer and the FL have substantially the same magnetic orientation. The sensor structure includes a top shield and a front bottom shield adjacent to the recessed AFM layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one read head, each read head including a magnetoresistive (MR) read element, having a lower shield layer, an underlayer positioned above the lower shield layer, an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned above the underlayer, a magnetization pinned layer positioned above the AFM layer, an insulating layer positioned above the magnetization pinned layer, and a magnetization free layer positioned above the insulating layer, magnetic side shields positioned on both sides of the MR read element in a cross-track direction, and at least one shield excitation coil configured to excite magnetization of the side shields. In another embodiment, a method for forming a read sensor includes forming a MR read element, forming magnetic side shields on both sides of the MR read element in a cross-track direction, and forming at least one shield excitation coil configured to excite magnetization of the side shields.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a first ferromagnetic body, a second ferromagnetic body, a channel extending from the first ferromagnetic body to the second ferromagnetic body, a magnetic shield covering the channel, and an insulating film disposed between the channel and the magnetic shield, while the magnetic shield has a through-hole extending toward the channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a reproducing head includes a spin-torque oscillator and a pair of shield parts. The spin-torque oscillator has a first surface facing a magnetic recording medium. The pair of shield parts each has a second surface facing the magnetic recording medium, the spin-torque oscillator being arranged between the shield parts. A distance between the second surface and the magnetic recording medium is shorter than a distance between the first surface and the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: Various embodiments can have a data read stack positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS). The data read stack may be disposed between first and second buffer layers, where at least one of the buffer layers can be configured to provide a predetermined shunt ratio for the data read stack.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head are disclosed. A PMR pole having a bottom and a top wider than the bottom is provided. The PMR pole may be formed by depositing a PMR pole layer, then removing part of the PMR pole layer, leaving the PMR pole. The PMR pole may also be provided by forming a trench having the desired profile in a photoresist layer, depositing the PMR pole layer, then removing the photoresist layer, leaving the PMR pole in the location of the trench. A side gap is deposited over the PMR pole. A side shield is provided on the side gap. A planarization that removes part of the side shield on the PMR pole is performed. A top gap is provided on the PMR pole, substantially covering the entire PMR pole. A top shield is provided on the top gap.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes an array of sensor structures formed on a common substrate. Each sensor structure further comprises: a magnetic tunnel junction sensor spaced from a media-facing surface of the head; and a flux guide between the media-facing surface of the head and the sensor, the flux guide guiding magnetic flux from a magnetic medium adjacent the media-facing surface to the sensor. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for manufacturing an electronic lapping guide and a magnetic read head assembly. The magnetoresistive head assembly includes a sensing element that has a front edge and a front flux guide that has a back edge, such that the sensing element front edge and the front flux guide back edge share a common interface that defines an interface plane normal to the surface of a wafer substrate. The electronic lapping guide comprises a conductive material adapted to attach to two electrical leads for measuring a resistance through the conductive material. The conductive material may include a conductive material back edge aligned with the interface plane. The resistance of the conductive material may be inversely proportional to a conductive material length normal to the interface plane.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus to manufacture a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head in which a light source unit including a light source and a slider including an optical system are joined. The method comprises steps of: adhering by suction the light source unit with a back holding jig; bringing the light into contact with a slider back surface; applying a load to a load application surface of the light source unit by a loading means to bring a joining surface of the light source unit into conformity with the slider back surface; positioning the light source unit apart from the slider, and then aligning the light source with the optical system; bringing again the light source unit into contact with the slider; and applying a load again to the load application surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a magnetic reader comprises first and second shields extending from an air bearing surface (ABS), a magnetoresistive stack is located between the first and second shields, and a flux guide is separated from the magnetoresistive stack while connecting the first and second shields. The flux guide magnetically couples the distal end of the magnetoresistive stack to the first shield.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing method which can adjust the lengths of a recording element and a reproducing element for enabling manufacture of high-quality magnetic head sliders. The manufacturing method comprises: a stacked-layer forming step which stacks magnetic heads on a substrate; a lapping step which cuts out a bar block having a plurality of connected magnetic head sliders, and polishes a flying surface; and a slider cutting step which cuts out individual magnetic head sliders from the bar block. The stacked-layer forming step forms a reproducing-element polish amount detecting sensor on a same layer as that of the reproducing element, and forms a recording-element polish amount detecting sensor on a same layer as that of the recording element. The lapping step carries out polishing based on each output value of the reproducing-element polish amount detecting sensor and the recording-element polish amount detecting sensor.

Abstract: In a magnetic head manufacturing method, a floated surface of each block having plural magnetic head elements formed and arranged on a substrate is ground and lapped in a grinding/lapping step. The grinding/lapping step contains an angle adjusting step for adjusting the angle of the floated surface of the block with reference to a magnetic-head-element formed surface of a substrate and grinding the floated surface concerned, and a finishing lapping step of lapping the floated surface at an angle adjusted in the angle adjusting step.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a main pole, a return pole and a magnetic damper. The main pole is configured to emit flux and the return pole is configured to return the flux to the main pole. The magnetic damper is inductively coupled to the return pole and comprises a first conductor spaced from a first side of the return pole, a second conductor spaced from a second side of the return pole and a third conductor connecting the first conductor to the second conductor.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic head is formed by performing a head forming process, a mounting part forming process and a light source mounting process in that order. In the head forming process, a planned area is secured on a light source placing surface of a slider substrate, then a magnetic head part is formed on a head area other than the planned area and a spacer for securing a mounting space for the laser diode is formed on the planned area. In the mounting part forming process, a light source mounting part is formed by removing the spacer. In the light source mounting process, a laser diode is mounted on the light source mounting part formed by the mounting part forming step.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor having at least a first and at least a second structure of soft-magnetic material that are spatially separated and define a first gap therebetween. The first and second structure of soft-magnetic material are adapted to form a gap magnetic field pointing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongation of the first gap in the vicinity of the first gap in response to an external magnetic field. Additionally, the magnetic sensor comprises at least a first magnetoresistive layered structure that is positioned in the vicinity of the first gap including inside the first gap and that is sensitive to the gap magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes an array of sensor structures formed on a common substrate. Each sensor structure further comprises: a magnetic tunnel junction sensor spaced from a media-facing surface of the head; and a flux guide between the media-facing surface of the head and the sensor, the flux guide guiding magnetic flux from a magnetic medium adjacent the media-facing surface to the sensor. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a yoke-type magnetic head for reading out magnetic information from a medium in which information is magnetically recorded in a track direction, the head includes a magnetic pole which is provided on a plane perpendicular to a linear recording direction and has an opposing surface facing the medium, a saturation magnetic flux density Bs1, and a volume V1, a sub yoke which is formed on the plane by being connected to the magnetic pole, and has a length SYW in a direction perpendicular to the linear recording direction longer than a length SYH in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the medium, and a saturation magnetic flux density Bs2 and a volume V2, the product Bs2V2 of which is larger than the product Bs1V1, and a magnetoresistance effect film which is formed between the sub yoke and the opposing surface, and abuts the magnetic pole.

Abstract: An electrical signal processing device includes at least one thin film flux generator and at least one thin film magnetic sensor. Each flux generator includes at least one conductive induction line that is connected to at least one lead of a pair of input leads, and a yoke that surrounds the conductive induction line. The yoke has at least one pair of pole tips, and a gap is disposed between the end surfaces of each pair of pole tips. A magnetic sensor is disposed in the gap, and a pair of output leads is connected to the sensor. An alternative embodiment may include two or more conductive induction lines that are connected to respective separate pairs of input leads. Alternatively, two or more conductive induction lines may connect to one another to form an induction coil. The flux generator and magnetic sensor are preferably formed on a single substrate to create an integrated device.

Abstract: In one aspect described herein, a read head having one or more magnetoresistive (MR) sensors (or devices) is provided. In one example, the read head includes an MR sensor and an insulator layer disposed at the same level as the MR sensor. The read head further includes a bearing surface, wherein the insulator layer forms a portion of the bearing surface and is disposed between a surface of the MR sensor and the bearing surface to provide protection for the MR sensor from exposure to the bearing surface. The MR sensor may include a stack of thin-film layers to form an AMR, GMR, or TGMR sensor element. The stack may further include a slanted surface portion, wherein the insulator layer is disposed on the slanted surface portion, thereby recessing the MR sensor from the bearing surface.

Abstract: A magnetic head of the present application has a sensor which employs the extraordinary magnetoresistance (EMR) effect. The magnetic head includes a body of semiconductor material positioned over a tail end of a carrying mechanism; a field receiving surface of the body oriented perpendicular to a sensing plane of the magnetic head; an electrically conducting shunt coupled to a first end of the body; a plurality of electrically conducting contacts coupled to a second end of the body opposite the first end; and a magnetic flux guide having a first end at least partially formed over the field receiving surface and a second end exposed at the sensing plane. Advantageously, the magnetic flux guide orients a signal field of recorded data from a magnetic medium in a suitable direction for the field receiving surface, at least partially shields the field receiving surface magnetically, and allows for positioning of the magnetic head on the tail end of the carrying mechanism.

Abstract: In a magnetic head manufacturing method, a floated surface of each block having plural magnetic head elements formed and arranged on a substrate is ground and lapped in a grinding/lapping step. The grinding/lapping step contains an angle adjusting step for adjusting the angle of the floated surface of the block with reference to a magnetic-head-element formed surface of a substrate and grinding the floated surface concerned, and a finishing lapping step of lapping the floated surface at an angle adjusted in the angle adjusting step.

Abstract: A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor having a front edge that is recessed from the air bearing surface (ABS). The sensor includes a pinned layer structure a free layer structure and a spacer layer sandwiched between the free layer and the pinned layer. The free layer is an AP coupled structure that includes a first magnetic layer F1 a second magnetic layer F2 and a coupling layer sandwiched between F1 and F2. The first magnetic layer F1 extends to the ABS while the other sensor layers terminate at the recessed front edge. In this way, the F1 layer acts as a flux guide that reacts to a magnetic field from a magnetic medium. The AP coupled structure of the free layer allows each magnetic layer F1 and F2 to be thicker than would be possible in a conventional single layer free layer, which increases the GMR effect of the sensor and increases the effectiveness of the flux guide (F2).

Abstract: Even if the track and gap widths are made narrow in a read head, a narrow track head has so far been unable to afford satisfactory off-track characteristics because of a wide shield spacing over electrodes. The invention provides a magnetic head wherein, in the height direction of a magnetoresistive element, the spacing between an upper magnetic shield and a lower magnetic shield at an air bearing surface is narrower than the spacing between the upper and lower magnetic shields formed over a thickest portion of each of electrodes in contact with associated magnetic domain control layers.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor having a shape enhanced pinning and a flux guide structure. First and second hard bias layers and lead layers extend from the sides of a sensor stack. The hard bias layers and leads have a stripe height that is smaller than the stripe height of a free layer, resulting in a free layer that extends beyond the back edge of the lead and hard bias layer. This portion of the free layer that extends beyond the back edge of the leads and hard bias layers provides a back flux guide. Similarly, the sensor may have a free layer that extends beyond the front edge of the lead and hard bias layers to provide a front flux guide. The pinned layer extends significantly beyond the back edge of the free layer, providing the pinned layer with a strong shape enhanced magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor having at least a first and at least a second structure of soft-magnetic material that are spatially separated and define a first gap therebetween. The first and second structure of soft-magnetic material are adapted to form a gap magnetic field pointing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongation of the first gap in the vicinity of the first gap in response to an external magnetic field. Additionally, the magnetic sensor comprises at least a first magnetoresistive layered structure that is positioned in the vicinity of the first gap including inside the first gap and that is sensitive to the gap magnetic field.

Abstract: A giant magneto-resistive (GMR) transducer for reading data signals magnetically recorded on tape includes a GMR sensor and a separation structure formed on a front edge of the GMR sensor. The GMR sensor reads data signals magnetically recorded on a tape located at a head-tape interface. The separation structure physically separates the GMR sensor from the head-tape interface. The separation structure includes at least one film formed of at least one of non-magnetic and ferromagnetic materials such that the separation structure isolates the GMR sensor from physical contact with the tape at the head-tape interface while maintaining the ability of the GMR sensor to read data signals magnetically recorded on the tape even though the GMR sensor is physically separated from the tape at the head-tape interface. The separation structure may include an under-layer film and an isolation film. The GMR transducer is fabricated by a series of fabrication steps.

Abstract: A CPP giant magnetoresistive (GMR) head includes lower and upper shield layers; and a GMR element disposed between the upper and lower shield layers and comprising a pinned magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer disposed between the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer. Nonmagnetic metal films are provided directly above the lower shield layer and below the upper shield layer making direct contact with and having larger areas than the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, respectively. An antiferromagnetic layer is provided in the rear of the GMR element in the height direction, for pinning the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer. Alternatively, the dimension of the pinned magnetic layer in the height direction is larger than the dimension in the track width direction so that the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer is stabilized without using an antiferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A lower shield layer is formed by being embedded in a first recess formed in an under layer. Accordingly, the distance between the lower shield layer and a slider can be reduced. Also, a second metal layer is formed from above a gap layer covering an electrode extracting layer over above the under layer hindwards therefrom. Accordingly, the second metal layer can be brought closer to the slider side than an upper shield layer. Consequently, the thermal dissipation effects of the thin-film magnetic head can be improved.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a first shield layer and a second shield layer disposed at a specific distance from each other, an MR element disposed between the first and second shield layer, and an underlying layer disposed between the first shield layer and the MR element. The underlying layer, the MR element and the second shield layer are stacked on the first shield layer. The underlying layer includes a first layer having a bottom surface that is in contact with the first shield layer, and a second layer having a bottom surface that is in contact with a top surface of the first layer and a top surface that is adjacent to the MR element with a conductive layer disposed in between. The first layer is made of a material including at least one of Ta, Ti, W, HF and Y. The second layer is an alloy including Ni and Cr.

Abstract: A method for making a tunnel valve head with a flux guide. The tunnel valve sensor is created by forming a tunnel valve at a first shield layer. The tunnel valve includes a free layer distal to the first shield layer, a first insulation layer deposited over the first shield layer and around the tunnel valve, a flux guide formed over the first insulation layer and coupling to the tunnel valve at the free layer, a second insulation layer formed over the flux guide and a second shield layer formed over the second insulation layer. The flux guide and the free layer are physically isolated by the first and second insulation layers to prevent current shunts therefrom. The structure achieves physical connection between the flux guide and the free layer and insulates the flux guide from the shields.

Abstract: A flux guide protected magnetoresistive sensor in a tape drive read/write head is presented. The magnetoresistive sensor has a tape bearing surface, and includes a magnetoresistive sensing element and a flux guide disposed on a surface of the magnetoresistive sensing element to form a portion of the tape bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head including a magnetic flux guide layer for effectively inducing an external magnetic field in a free magnetic layer. A magnetic domain control layer is formed in a space below the magnetic flux guide layer and in front of a multilayer film near a surface facing a recording medium. Therefore, the shape of the magnetic flux guide layer can be made substantially flat to improve flux transmission efficiency. Also, the magnetization of the magnetic flux guide layer is controlled by laminating the magnetic flux guide layer on the magnetic domain control layer. Therefore, the magnetic domain control layer can be formed in a substantially flat thin film to stabilize a bias magnetic field to be supplied to the magnetic flux guide layer. Furthermore, the gap length of the magnetic head can be kept short.

Abstract: A magnetic head is provided. The magnetic head comprises a magnetoresistance film, a flux guide, and a flux-guide regulating film. The flux guide guides a signal magnetic field from a magnetic recording medium to the magnetoresistance film. The flux-guide regulating film aligns magnetic domains of the flux guide into a single magnetic domain.

Abstract: A method for making a tunnel valve head with a flux guide, a tunnel valve sensor having an isolated flux guide, and a magnetic storage system using a tunnel valve sensor having an isolated flux guide is disclosed. The tunnel valve sensors is created by forming a tunnel valve at a first shield layer, the tunnel valve comprising a free layer distal to the first shield layer, depositing a first insulation layer over the first shield layer and around the tunnel valve, depositing a flux guide over the first insulation layer and coupling to the tunnel valve at the free layer, covering the flux guide with a second insulation layer and forming a second shield layer over the second insulation, wherein the flux guide and the free layer are physically isolated by the first and second insulation layers to prevent current shunts therefrom. The structure achieves physical connection between the flux guide and the free layer and insulates the flux guide from the shields.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor for use in a data storage device has a recessed sensing element (magnetic tunnel junction, CPP spin valve, etc.) with an exchange biased sensing ferromagnetic (free) layer, and a flux guide that magnetically connects the sensing element to a sensing surface of the sensor. The free layer is selectively exchange biased by a layer of exchange bias material placed under non-active regions of the free layer that lie outside the sensing element and flux guide track widths. The flux guide is provided by extending the free layer from a forward edge of the sensing element to the sensor surface. Advantageously, the sensing element and the flux guide have equal track width so that magnetic flux directed from the flux guide into the sensing element is not diluted with consequent loss of sensitivity.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element (1) has an arrangement in which a pair of ferromagnetic material layers (magnetization fixed layer (5) and magnetization free layer (7)) is opposed to each other through an intermediate layer (6) to obtain a magnetoresistive change by causing a current to flow in the direction perpendicular to the layer surface and in which the ferromagnetic material layers are annealed by anneal including rotating field anneal and the following static field anneal. A magnetic memory device comprises this magnetoresistive effect element (1) and bit lines and word lines sandwiching the magnetoresistive effect element (1) in the thickness direction. When the magnetoresistive effect element (1) and the magnetic memory device are manufactured, the ferromagnetic material layers (5, 7) are annealed by rotating field anneal and the following static field anneal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head having improved characteristics, using a magnetoresistive device in which current flows across the film plane such as a TMR device. In a first magnetic head of the present invention, when the area of a non-magnetic layer is defined as a device cross-section area, and the area of a yoke is defined as a yoke area, viewed along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate over which the yoke and the magnetoresistive device are formed, then the device cross-section area is not less than 30% of the yoke area, so that a resistance increase of the device cross-section area is suppressed. In a second magnetic head of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device is formed on a substrate, and a yoke is provided above a non-magnetic layer constituting the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head having improved characteristics, using a magnetoresistive device in which current flows across the film plane such as a TMR device. In a first magnetic head of the present invention, when the area of a non-magnetic layer is defined as a device cross-section area, and the area of a yoke is defined as a yoke area, viewed along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate over which the yoke and the magnetoresistive device are formed, then the device cross-section area is not less than 30% of the yoke area, so that a resistance increase of the device cross-section area is suppressed. In a second magnetic head of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device is formed on a substrate, and a yoke is provided above a non-magnetic layer constituting the device.

Abstract: A flux guide type includes a magnetoresistive device for reading a signal flux, and a flux guide for transmitting the signal flux to the magnetoresistive device. The flux guide includes a laminated film that includes a ferromagnetic layer, a non-magnetic layer and a ferromagnetic layer in this order, and the two ferromagnetic layers in the flux guide have antiparallel directions of magnetization with respect to the non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive read head which reduces electrostatic discharge and allows measurement of gap resistances in the head.

Abstract: In a magnetic head having magnetic yoke layers, each magnetic yoke layer includes a yoke projecting portion (2A) projected toward a recording medium, and yoke setback portions (2B) set back from the yoke projecting portion. A first bias magnetic field applying film (5) of an antiferromagnetic material is formed to cover the yoke projecting portion whereas a second bias magnetic field applying film (6) of a ferromagnetic material may be formed on opposite side surfaces of the yoke projecting portion.