Patent ID: 6307720
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A thin film magnetic head being composed of at least a lower shield layer, a lower gap layer formed on the lower shield layer, a magnetoresistive element layer formed on the lower gap layer, a lead layer for imparting a sensing current to the magnetoresistive element layer, said lead layer being formed on both sides of the magnetoresistive element layer, an upper gap layer formed on the lead layer, and an upper shield layer formed on the upper gap layer,wherein the lower gap layer comprises an Al--N--X insulating layer, the element X being at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, B, Cr, Ti, Ta and Nb, andwherein said insulating layer contains the element X in a composition ratio of 2.0 to 30.0 atomic percent.