Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a magnetic head and a magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording medium includes a recording layer formed of a hard magnetic layer and a soft magnetic layer. The hard magnetic layer has a bit width corresponding to a length of a bit island in a radial direction of the magnetic recording medium. The soft magnetic layer is arranged on the hard magnetic layer. The soft magnetic layer has a width smaller than the bit width and is arranged at a position displaced in a direction away from an off-track portion of the leading edge of the magnetic head skewed at an angle.

Abstract: Planar magnetic heads and methods of making the same using a built-up approach and thru-hole via technology to achieve a true planar head. A head may comprise a substrate having conductive thru-hole vias extending therethrough, a first magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the substrate, a first insulation layer deposited and patterned on the first magnetic layer, a conductive coil layer deposited and patterned on the first insulation layer and connected to the conductive thru-hole vias, a second insulation layer deposited and patterned on the conductive coil layer, vias patterned into the insulation layer extending to the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer deposited in the vias, and a third magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the second insulation layer and second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer may be connected to the first magnetic layer through the second magnetic layer deposited in the vias of the insulation layers.