Patent ID: 6525912
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A thin-film magnetic head comprising:a nonmagnetic lower gap layer; a nonmagnetic upper gap layer; a magnetoresistive layer; a pair of electrode layers for conducting a sensing current to said magnetoresistive layer; a pair of bias layers for applying a biasing magnetic field to said magnetoresistive layer; and an intermediate gap layer made of an insulating material; wherein said intermediate gap layer, said magnetoresistive layer and said electrode layers are disposed between said lower gap layer and said upper gap layer; wherein said magnetoresistive layer has a rectangular shape, said magnetoresistive layer being formed between said pair of electrode layers and between said pair of bias layers, each of said electrode layers being disposed at a side of the magnetoresistive layer, the total thickness of the pair of bias layers and the pair of electrode layers being larger than the thickness of said magnetoresistive layer; wherein said intermediate gap layer is formed in a region that surrounds an outer periphery of the electrode layers other than the sides of the magnetoresistive layer, and in a region that surrounds an outer periphery of said magnetoresistive layer not in contact with said electrode layers; wherein said magnetoresistive layer has slanted end faces having a decreasing thickness toward said bias layers, said intermediate gap-layer has slanted end faces having a decreasing thickness toward said bias layers, and said bias layers extend on to the slanted end faces of said magnetoresistive layer and said intermediate gap layer; wherein said bias layers and said electrode layers are formed after said magnetoresistive layer and said intermediate gap layer are formed; and wherein the thickness of said intermediate gap layer is substantially equal to the thickness of said magnetoresistive layer.