Patent ID: 6678126
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B82Y,G11B

Abstract:
A magnetoresistance-effect magnetic head having a medium-facing surface and comprising an upper magnetic shield layer, a lower magnetic shield layer, an inter-shield gap provided between the upper and lower magnetic shield layers, a magnetoresistance-effect element provided in the inter-shield gap and not exposed at the medium-facing surface, and a flux-guiding element having one end exposed at the medium-facing surface and configured to guide an external magnetic field to the magnetoresistance-effect element,wherein the magnetoresistance-effect element is arranged at a different level from the flux-guiding element, an electrically insulating film is interposed between the magnetoresistance-effect element and the flux-guiding element, a portion of the magnetoresistance-effect element which lies close to the medium-facing surface overlaps a portion of the flux-guiding element which lies remote from the medium-facing surface, and the magnetoresistance-effect element overlaps the flux-guiding element for a distance that falls within a range of 15 to 25% of the length of the magnetoresistance-effect element as measured in a direction perpendicular to the medium-facing surface, and wherein, at least one of the magnetic shield layers, which lies close to the magnetoresistance-effect element has a groove aligned with the magnetoresistance-effect element and the groove is filled with non-magnetic, electrically conductive material.