Patent ID: 6028749
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A magnetic head for detecting a magnetic field representing information recorded on a magnetic recording medium, said magnetic head having a head face and comprising a multilayer structure with at least one magnetoresistive layer of magnetic anisotropic material, said magnetoresistive layer having a central portion forming a magnetoresistive element located between two end portions, said magnetoresistive layer having a longitudinal axis directed from one end portion to the other end portion, said magnetoresistive element having an easy axis of magnetization extending at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and having an adjusted direction of magnetization and, an electrically conducting layer provided on one side of said magnetoresistive layer, said conducting layer comprising at least one equipotential strip which extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis, characterized in that a local layer of hard magnetic material is located opposite each end portion, on a side of the magnetoresistive element remote from the conducting layer, which local layers each have an axis of magnetization extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magnetoresistive layer, the direction of magnetization of the local layers corresponding to the adjusted direction of magnetization of the magnetoresistive element, and in that a non-magnetic spacer layer of electrically insulating material is present between each end portion and the facing local layer of hard-magnetic material.