Patent ID: 8049988
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A perpendicular magnetic recording head comprising a main magnetic pole layer and a return yoke layer, the main magnetic pole layer and return yoke layer being laminated with a predetermined distance therebetween on a surface opposing a recording medium and magnetically coupled to each other on a deeper side opposite the medium-opposing surface in a height direction, a magnetic gap layer interposed between the main magnetic pole layer and the return yoke layer on the medium-opposing surface side, and a pair of side shield layers positioned on both sides in a track width direction of the main magnetic pole layer while interposing a nonmagnetic material layer therebetween; wherein the magnetic gap layer is formed in a partial area in the track width direction bridging the main magnetic pole layer and the pair of side shield layers, the pair of side shield layers being in contact with the return yoke layer in a remaining area where the magnetic gap layer is absent, each of end faces of the magnetic gap layer along the medium-opposing surface is formed by a tilted surface, and the pair of side shield layers have a flat surface constituting the same plane with a trailing edge of the main magnetic pole layer and are in contact with the return yoke layer in an area of the flat surface where the magnetic gap layer is absent.