Abstract:
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a magnetic head support having a piezoelectric device on a metal plate member comprises the steps of: providing a metal plate member; forming a piezoelectric layer of a piezoelectric material on the plate member at an elevated temperature; forming a first electrode layer of an electrical conducting material on the piezoelectric layer; and bending the metal plate member at a bending portion adjacent to the piezoelectric layer while the temperature is lowered from the elevated temperature after forming the piezoelectric layer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a magnetic disk device, more specifically, to a magnetic disk device having a magnetic head support fabricated by a simple process. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The recording density of magnetic disk devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs) has been sharply increasing with technological improvements in magnetic disks, magnetic heads, signal processing, and the like. Under these circumstances, it has become important to maintain the flying height of a magnetic head at a very small and constant level. 
         [0005]    A slider having a magnetic head is mounted on one end of a thin plate member called a suspension. The suspension has flexibility. When the suspension is deformed by a floating force generated at the slider, the suspension creates a force in an appropriate direction so as to cancel the deformation. The suspension has a bending portion that creates an urging force in a direction opposite to that of the floating force. The suspension is bent at the bending portion so that the slider becomes closer to a magnetic disk. 
         [0006]    In order to maintain the flying height of the magnetic head at a very small and constant level, the force required to cancel the deformation of the suspension and the urging force of the suspension have to be precisely controlled. In order to obtain a precisely controlled urging force, the bending portion of the suspension needs to be bent at an accurate bending angle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a magnetic head support having a piezoelectric device on a metal plate member comprises the steps of: providing a metal plate member; forming a piezoelectric layer of a piezoelectric material on the plate member at an elevated temperature; forming a first electrode layer of an electrical conducting material on the piezoelectric layer; and bending the metal plate member at a bending portion adjacent to the piezoelectric layer while the temperature is lowered from the elevated temperature after forming the piezoelectric layer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a plan view showing an interior of the magnetic disk device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a circuit for controlling the magnetic disk device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A to 4C  illustrate a manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5D and 5E  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6F and 6G  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7H  illustrates the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a device (piezoelectric transducer) to be verified for its function as a piezoelectric sensor  26 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10A to 10C  illustrate results of displacement of a suspension  6  in relation to the position and shape of piezoelectric devices; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a manufacturing process of a magnetic head support according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 12C and 12D  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 13E and 13F  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 14G and 14H  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 15I and 15J  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 16K and 16L  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the second embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 17M  illustrates the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0026]    Magnetic Disk Device 
         [0027]    A magnetic disk device having a magnetic head support according to the present invention will now be described.  FIG. 1  is a plan view showing an interior of the magnetic disk device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a circuit for controlling the magnetic disk device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a magnetic disk device  1  constitutes an HDD and has a housing  2  as a casing. The housing  2  contains a magnetic disk  4  mounted on a spindle  3  so as to be rotated, a slider  5  having a magnetic head for recording/reproducing information onto/from the magnetic disk  4 , a suspension  6  for supporting the slider  5 , a carriage arm  8  that has the suspension  6  fixed thereto and pivots about an arm axis  7  to move across the surface of the magnetic disk  4 , and an electromagnetic actuator  9  for driving the carriage arm  8 . A cover (not shown) is attached to the housing  2  to provide a space in which the aforementioned components are housed. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the magnetic disk device  1  further has a control unit  10  for controlling operation of the magnetic disk device  1 . The control unit  10  is mounted on, for example, a control board (not shown) provided in the housing  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the control unit  10  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  12 , a random-access memory (RAM)  14  for temporarily storing data, etc., to be processed by the CPU  12 , a read-only memory (ROM)  15  for storing a program for control, etc., an input/output circuit  19  for inputting/outputting signals to/from an external device, a bus  17  for transferring signals between components in the circuit, and the like. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the slider  5  has a magnetic head  5   b  formed on a ceramic substrate  5   a . The magnetic head  5   b  is, for example, connected to the input/output circuit  19  in the control unit  10  with wires  11   a  and  11   b , and records information onto the magnetic disk  4  (writing operation) and reproduces information stored on the magnetic disk  4  (reading operation). In these reading and writing operations, the electromagnetic actuator  9  drives the carriage arm  8  to move the magnetic head  5   b  to a position above a desired track in the magnetic disk  4 . 
         [0031]    Specifically, these reading and writing operations are performed as follows. In the writing operation, the control unit  10  inputs an electric signal (an electrical recording signal) to the magnetic head  5   b . The magnetic head  5   b  applies magnetic fields according to the recording signal to very small regions in the magnetic disk  4  and records information contained in the recording signal by aligning the magnetizing direction of these very small regions. In the reading operation, the magnetic head  5   b  extracts the information recorded in these very small regions as an electric signal (an electrical reproducing signal) according to the magnetization of these very small regions. 
         [0032]    The CPU  12  precisely controls the flying height of the magnetic head provided on the slider  5  by slightly changing the bending angle of the bending portion using piezoelectric devices provided at the bending portion of the suspension  6 . Details of the bending portion and the piezoelectric devices will be described below. 
         [0033]    Magnetic Head Support 
         [0034]    A magnetic head support according to the present invention will now be described. A magnetic head support may be referred to as a head gimbal assembly (HGA).  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a perspective view and a side view of a magnetic head support, respectively, according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         [0035]    In general, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a structure in which a base plate  22 , the slider  5 , and the like are attached to the suspension  6  is referred to as a magnetic head support  20 . A structure not yet attached with the base plate  22  and slider  5 , namely, the suspension  6  alone, may also be referred to as the magnetic head support  20 . Or, a structure in which one of the base plate  22  and the slider  5  is attached to the suspension  6  may also be referred to as the magnetic head support  20 . Herein, the suspension  6  is a 20-μm-thick plate member made of stainless steel, for example. As shown, the base plate  22  is attached to one end of the suspension  6  on the carriage arm  8  side, and the slider  5  is attached to a tip  6   p  provided on the other end of the suspension  6 . Specifically, the slider  5  having the magnetic head  5   b  is positioned so as to face the surface  4   c  of the magnetic disk and fixed to the gimbal  6   g  provided on the tip  6   p.    
         [0036]    Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the wires  11   a  and  11   b  provided on the suspension  6  are electrically connected to the electrodes (not shown) of the magnetic head  5   b . Similarly, wires  11   c  provided on the suspension  6  are electrically connected to piezoelectric actuators  24  and piezoelectric sensors  26 . The wires  11   a ,  11   b , and  11   c  are all electrically connected to the control unit  10 , so that the control unit  10  controls the magnetic head  5   b , the piezoelectric actuators  24 , and the piezoelectric sensors  26 . The piezoelectric sensors  26  detect vibration of the suspension  6  (plate member). 
         [0037]    Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the plurality of piezoelectric devices (the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26 ) are disposed on the suspension  6 . The piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  are disposed on, for example, the surface opposite the surface facing the magnetic disk  4 . The piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  are desirably aligned in a row as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Alternatively, a pair of the piezoelectric actuator  24  and the piezoelectric sensor  26 , or, only one piezoelectric actuator  24  may be disposed. With the above-described arrangement, the suspension  6  is bent at a position provided with the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  at a predetermined angle to form a bending portion BP. 
         [0038]    Manufacturing Process (First Embodiment) 
         [0039]    A manufacturing process of a magnetic head support according to the present invention will now be described.  FIGS. 4 to 8  illustrate a manufacturing process of a magnetic head support according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 4 to 8  illustrate a portion Y shown in  FIG. 3B  viewed in the X-direction shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0040]    Step  1 - 1   
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , a thin-plate substrate  31  is prepared. The substrate  31  is a 20-μm-thick plate made of stainless steel, for example. An example of stainless steel (SUS) suitable for the substrate  31  is SUS304 containing 18% chromium (Cr) and 8% nickel (Ni). 
         [0042]    Step  1 - 2   
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 4B , an insulating layer  32  and a lower electrode layer (a second electrode layer)  33   a  are formed on the substrate  31 . First, for example, using sputtering, a silica (SiO 2 ) film or an alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) film as the insulating layer  32  is formed on the substrate  31 . The thickness of the insulating layer  32  is, for example, about 200 nm. Then, for example, using sputtering, a platinum (Pt) film as the lower electrode layer  33   a  is formed on the insulating layer  32 . The thickness of the lower electrode layer  33   a  is about 200 nm. The lower electrode layer  33   a  does not necessarily have to be formed by sputtering, but may be formed by vacuum deposition or the like. The lower electrode layer  33   a  does not necessarily have to be composed of a refractory metal, such as platinum, but may be composed of a chemically stable precious metal, such as gold (Au), iridium (Ir), or the like. Strontium ruthenate (SrRuO 3 ), titanium nitride (TiN), or the like may also be used for the lower electrode layer  33   a.    
         [0044]    Step  1 - 3   
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 4C , for example, using sputtering, a ceramic amorphous film as a piezoelectric layer  35   a  is formed on the lower electrode layer  33   a . The thickness of the piezoelectric layer  35   a  is, for example, about 2 μm. The piezoelectric layer  35   a  does not necessarily have to be formed by sputtering, but may be formed by pulsed laser deposition, metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), or the like. In the case where the substrate  31  is used as a lower electrode (a second electrode), the piezoelectric layer  35   a  may directly be formed on the substrate  31 , without forming the insulating layer  32  and the lower electrode layer  33   a.    
         [0046]    In forming the piezoelectric layer  35   a , for example, sputtering is performed at a temperature of about 600° C. The substrate  31  is also heated to about 600° C. at this time. In the case where the piezoelectric layer  35   a  is composed of a ferroelectric-oxide material having a perovskite crystal structure, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or the like, the sputtering is preferably performed at a temperature higher than the crystallization temperature and lower than the structure-stabilizing temperature of the material, namely, between 450° C. and 800° C. By performing sputtering at the aforementioned temperature, the piezoelectric layer  35   a  of a polycrystalline structure is formed on the substrate  31 . 
         [0047]    When the substrate  31  and the piezoelectric layer  35   a  are cooled to room temperature (for example, about 25° C.) after formation of the piezoelectric layer  35   a , the entirety of the substrate  31  is warped because of a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate  31  and the piezoelectric layer  35   a . The substrate  31  shrinks more than the piezoelectric layer  35   a , as shown in  FIG. 4C . For example, a SUS material has a linear expansion coefficient of 14 to 18 ppm/° C., and a ceramic has a linear expansion coefficient of 6 to 7 ppm/° C. 
         [0048]    Step  1 - 4   
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5D , for example, using sputtering, a platinum film constituting an upper electrode layer (a first electrode layer)  41   a  is formed on the piezoelectric layer  35   a . The thickness of the upper electrode layer  41   a  is, for example, about 200 nm. Because the method and materials for forming the upper electrode layer  41   a  are the same as those for the lower electrode layer  33   a , description thereof will not be made here. From this step to Step  1 - 7  of the manufacturing process, the substrate  31  is fixed on a stage  30  so as to remove the warpage thereof and make it straight. For example, a vacuum chuck having a vacuum plate that is made of a porous ceramic is desirably used as the stage  30  so as to minimize the occurrence of deflection of the substrate  31 . 
         [0050]    Step  1 - 5   
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 5E , a photoresist constituting a resist layer  37   a  is applied on the upper electrode layer  41   a . The thickness of the resist layer  37   a  is, for example, about 10 μm. 
         [0052]    Step  1 - 6   
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 6F , using photolithography, the resist layer  37   a  is patterned into the shapes of the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  to form a resist mask  37 . 
         [0054]    Step  1 - 7   
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 6G , using the resist mask  37 , the upper electrode layer  41   a  and the piezoelectric layer  35   a  are etched. Although either of the dry and wet etching may be used, dry etching is desirable from the viewpoint of formation of erosion-free sidewalls. In the case of dry etching, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), electron cyclotron resonance (ECR), or the like is used. Argon (Ar) or the like may be used as an etching gas. Using this etching gas, the sidewalls of the piezoelectric layer  35   a  are formed to be substantially perpendicular to the substrate. In the case of wet etching, an aqueous solution of mixed acids such as hydrofluoric acid (HF)-nitric acid (HNO 3 ) and HF-hydrochloric acid (HCl), may be used as an etchant. In performing etching, a protective film composed of polyimide or the like is desirably formed on the substrate  31 , if necessary, so as to prevent the portion surrounding the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  from being damaged. 
         [0056]    Step  1 - 8   
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 7H , the resist mask  37  and the stage  30  are removed. When removed from the stage  30 , the substrate  31  has the bending portion BP bent at, for example, 5 to 10 degrees at a portion provided with the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26 . The direction in which the bending portion BP is bent is the direction in which the slider  5  is urged towards the magnetic disk  4 . The substrate  31 , except for the bending portion BP, is not warped and extends straight. As shown in the drawings, the portions on both sides of the bending portion BP form the bending angle. The piezoelectric actuators  24  formed on the bending portion BP adjusts the bending angle of the bending portion BP and more precisely controls the bending angle. 
         [0058]    Although not illustrated, the upper electrode  41  is connected to a wire formed on the substrate  31  before the stage  30  is removed. Specifically, a lead wire extends from the upper electrode  41  and a tip of the lead wire is connected to a pad (not shown) formed on the substrate  31 . The pad is connected with a wire extending from the control unit  10  on the substrate  31 . The substrate  31  provided with the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  is processed into the shape of the suspension  6  by wet etching. Alternatively, the substrate  31  may be cut into the shape of the suspension  6  using dicing saw. Although dicing is desirably performed before the stage  30  is removed, it may be performed after the stage  30  is removed. 
         [0059]    Step  1 - 9   
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the magnetic head support  20  is fabricated. Specifically, the magnetic head support  20  is completed by attaching the base plate  22  and the slider  5  to the suspension  6  (provided with the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26 ) formed by performing the above-described steps. 
         [0061]    Verification 1 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a device (piezoelectric transducer  50 ) to be verified for its function as the piezoelectric sensor  26 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the piezoelectric transducer  50  has an active portion having a size of 0.5 mm×2 mm. Fabrication steps of the piezoelectric transducer  50  and results of verification performed therewith will be described below. 
         [0063]    One end of a 100-um-thick stainless steel substrate was fixed on a stage  51 . Platinum was sputtered on the stainless steel substrate to form a lower electrode layer. Using the sol-gel method, a PZT material was deposited on the lower electrode layer to form a 1.5-μm-thick PZT film. Then, platinum was sputtered on the PZT film to form an upper electrode layer. Lastly, the stainless steel substrate was cut to provide a strip stainless steel substrate  53  provided with a PZT body  55  having a size of 0.5 mm×2 mm. 
         [0064]    Next, a voltage of 20V was applied to the thus-fabricated piezoelectric transducer  50  to calculate “d31 piezoelectric constant” from the amount of displacement of one end of the stainless steel substrate  53 . The calculation result was −50 pm/V. Further, the piezoelectric transducer  50  was mounted on a vibrator (not shown) to measure the characteristics thereof as a piezoelectric sensor. The result showed that the piezoelectric transducer  50  had an electrical charge sensitivity of 1.2 coulombs per unit of gravitational acceleration. Thus, the function of the piezoelectric transducer  50  as a piezoelectric sensor was verified. 
         [0065]    Verification 2 
         [0066]    Next, the displacement behavior of the suspension  6  in relation to the position and the shape of the piezoelectric devices (the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26 ) were verified. All the results of this verification were obtained by simulation.  FIGS. 10A to 10C  illustrate results of displacement of the suspension  6  in relation to the position and shape of the piezoelectric devices.  FIG. 10B  is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the piezoelectric devices and the amount of displacement of the tip of the slider.  FIG. 10C  is a graph showing the relationship between the shape of the piezoelectric devices and the bending angle of the slider. 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 10B , the farther the piezoelectric devices are positioned from the end of the base plate  22 , the smaller the amount of displacement of the tip of the slider  5 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 10C , the larger the length of the piezoelectric devices, the larger the bending angle of the suspension. It can be understood from the graph of  FIG. 10C , the length of the piezoelectric devices need to be 1.2 mm to 2.1 mm to obtain a bending angle of between 5 to 10 degrees. 
         [0069]    In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric actuators  24  or the piezoelectric sensors  26  of a predetermined shape is formed on the suspension  6 . At the same time, the bending portion BP having a predetermined bending angle is formed. Alternatively, the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  may simultaneously be formed on the suspension  6 . In the case of the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  being formed on the suspension  6 , for example, the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  are controlled by the control unit  10 , whereby the flying height of the magnetic head  5   b  can be precisely controlled. 
         [0070]    The flying height of the magnetic head  5   b  is controlled as follows. The piezoelectric sensors  26  detect the displacement of the bending angle of the bending portion BP. The detection result is sent to the piezoelectric actuators  24  via the control unit  10 . The piezoelectric actuators  24  adjust the bending angle of the bending portion BP according to the detection result and control the flying height of the magnetic head  5   b.    
         [0071]    According to the method for manufacturing the magnetic head support of the embodiment, the bending portion is provided in the plate member when the piezoelectric devices are formed. That is, the bending portion for urging the slider towards a surface of a magnetic disk can be formed by a simple process. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0072]    The magnetic head support according to the present embodiment is formed by the same manufacturing process as the first embodiment except for the steps described below. 
       Manufacturing Process (Second Embodiment) 
       [0073]    A manufacturing process of a magnetic head support according to the invention will now be described.  FIGS. 11 to 17  illustrate the manufacturing process of the magnetic head support according to a second embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 4 to 8  illustrate a portion Y shown in  FIG. 3B  viewed in the X-direction shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0074]    Step  2 - 1   
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 11A , a thin substrate  31  is prepared. The substrate  31  is a 20-μm-thick plate made of stainless steel, for example. An example of stainless steel suitable for the substrate  31  is SUS304 containing 18% Cr and 8% Ni. 
         [0076]    Step  2 - 2   
         [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 11B , for example, using sputtering, a ceramic amorphous film as a piezoelectric layer  35   a  is formed on the substrate  31 . The thickness of the piezoelectric layer  35   a  is, for example, about 2 μm. The piezoelectric layer  35   a  does not necessarily have to be formed by sputtering, but may be formed by pulsed laser deposition, MOCVD, or the like. In the case where the substrate  31  is not used as an electrode (a lower electrode of the piezoelectric devices), an insulating layer  32  and a lower electrode layer  33   a  may be formed between the substrate  31  and the piezoelectric layer  35   a , as described in the first embodiment. 
         [0078]    In forming the piezoelectric layer  35   a , for example, sputtering is performed at a temperature of about 600° C. The substrate  31  is heated to about 600° C. at this time. In the case where the piezoelectric layer  35   a  is composed of ferroelectric-oxide material having a perovskite crystal structure, such as PZT or the like, the sputtering is preferably performed at a temperature higher than the crystallization temperature and lower than the structure-stabilizing temperature of the material, namely, between 450° C. and 800° C. By performing sputtering at the aforementioned temperature, the piezoelectric layer  35   a  of a polycrystalline structure is formed on the substrate  31 . 
         [0079]    When the substrate  31  and the piezoelectric layer  35   a  are cooled to room temperature (for example, about 25° C.) after formation of the piezoelectric layer  35   a , the entirety of the substrate  31  is warped because of a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate  31  and the piezoelectric layer  35   a . The substrate  31  shrinks more than the piezoelectric layer  35   a , as shown in  FIG. 4C . For example, a SUS material has a linear expansion coefficient of 14 to 18 ppm/° C., and a ceramic has a linear expansion coefficient of 6 to 7 ppm/° C. 
         [0080]    Step  2 - 3   
         [0081]    Referring to  FIG. 12C , a photoresist constituting a resist layer  37   a  is applied on the piezoelectric layer  35   a . The thickness of the resist layer  37   a  is, for example, about 10 μm. 
         [0082]    Step  2 - 4   
         [0083]    Referring to  FIG. 12D , using photolithography, the resist layer  37   a  is patterned into the shapes of the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  to form a resist mask  37 . 
         [0084]    Step  2 - 5   
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 13E , using the resist mask  37 , the piezoelectric layer  35   a  is etched. Although either dry and wet etching may be used, dry etching is desirable from the viewpoint of formation of erosion-free sidewalls. In the case of dry etching, ICP, ECR, or the like is used. Argon or the like may be used as an etching gas. Using this etching gas; the sidewalls of the piezoelectric layer  35   a  are formed to be substantially perpendicular to the substrate. In the case of wet etching, an aqueous solution of mixed acids such as hydrofluoric acid (HF)-nitric acid (HNO 3 ) and HF-hydrochloric acid (HCl), may be used as an etchant. In performing etching, a protective film composed of polyimide or the like is desirably formed on the substrate  31 , if necessary, so as to prevent the portion surrounding the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  from being damaged. 
         [0086]    Step  2 - 6   
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 13F , after the resist mask  37  is removed, for example, using spin-coating or dipping, a protective film layer  39   a  composed of a resin is formed so as to cover the piezoelectric body  35 . More specifically, for example, a low-viscosity varnish prepared by dissolving acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, or the like in a solvent is applied on the piezoelectric body  35 . 
         [0088]    Step  2 - 7   
         [0089]    Referring to  FIG. 14G , for example, using reactive ion etching (RIE), chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), or the like, the height of the protective film layer  39   a  is reduced to the height of the piezoelectric body  35 . More specifically, using the aforementioned methods, the protective film layer  39   a  is removed until the top surface of the piezoelectric body  35  is exposed. 
         [0090]    Step  2 - 8   
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 14H , for example, using photolithography, an upper electrode (a first electrode)  41  is formed on the piezoelectric body  35 . The upper electrode  41  is, using sputtering or the like, formed at normal temperature so that the protective film layer  39  will not be deformed or vaporized. 
         [0092]    Step  2 - 9   
         [0093]    Referring to  FIG. 15I , a protective film layer  43   a  composed of an insulating material is formed so as to cover the upper electrode  41 . As the protective film layer  43   a , for example, a polymer film, a silica film, an alumina film, or the like may be used. For a polymer film, spin-coating or dipping is employed. For a silica film and an alumina film, sputtering is employed. 
         [0094]    Step  2 - 10   
         [0095]    Referring to  FIG. 15J , a via hole  45  allowing for contact with the upper electrode  41  is provided in the protective film layer  43   a . To provide the via hole  45   c , a photoresist mask (not shown) is formed on the protective film layer  43   a  leaving an uncoated portion, and etching such as RIE is performed thereon. 
         [0096]    Step  2 - 11   
         [0097]    Referring to  FIG. 16K , using sputtering or the like, the via hole  45   c  is filled with a metal such as gold. Then, any unnecessary portion of the metal is removed to provide a via contact  45 . 
         [0098]    Step  2 - 12   
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 16L , for example, using photolithography, an extending wire  47  is formed on the piezoelectric body  35 . It is possible that a pad (not shown) be formed on a portion of the extending wire  47 , and a lead wire (not shown) extending from the suspension  6  is bonded to the pad. 
         [0100]    Step  2 - 13   
         [0101]    Referring to  FIG. 17M , sidewalls of the protective film layer  39   a  and the protective film layer  43   a  are formed to be substantially perpendicular to the substrate. Thereafter, the stage  30  is removed. When removed from the stage  30 , the substrate  31  has the bending portion BP bent at, for example, 5 to 10 degrees at a portion provided with the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26 . The substrate  31 , except for the bending portion BP, is not warped and extends straight. 
         [0102]    According to the method for manufacturing the magnetic head support of the embodiment, the bending portion is provided in the plate member when the piezoelectric devices are formed. That is, the bending portion for urging the slider towards a surface of a magnetic disk can be formed by a simple process. 
         [0103]    In addition, as shown in the embodiment, the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  are covered by a protective film. This can prevent the piezoelectric actuators  24  and the piezoelectric sensors  26  from being degraded by absorption of moisture or similar reasons. Further, the flying height of the magnetic head  5   b  can be more assuredly controlled.