Patent ID: 7944651

Claim:
A CPP-type magnetoresistive effect head comprising: a lower magnetic shield layer; a magnetoresistive effect film including an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned layer made of alloy containing a ferromagnetic material, an intermediate layer made of a nonmagnetic material and a free layer made of alloy containing a ferromagnetic material which are laminated on top of the lower magnetic shield layer; a refill insulation film and a magnetic domain control layer formed on both sides of the magnetoresistive effect film to protrude from an upper surface of the magnetoresistive effect film; a side wall protection film formed on a side wall of the refill insulation film and on top of the magnetoresistive effect film so as to define the height of the magnetic domain control layer; and an upper magnetic shield layer formed on top of the magnetoresistive effect film and the magnetic domain control layer.