Patent ID: 7114239

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head wafer on which identification information is recorded, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a ceramic wafer for a thin-film magnetic head, the wafer having a first principal surface for supporting an electrical/magnetic transducer and a second principal surface that are substantially parallel to each other; recording the identification information on the first principal surface of the wafer before the electrical/magnetic transducer is provided on the first principle surface, said identification information includes information that is unique to the wafer; depositing an insulating film on the first principal surface of the wafer so as to cover the identification information recorded thereon before the electrical/magnetic transducer is provided on the first principle surface; and planarizing the surface of the insulating film before the electrical/magnetic transducer is provided on the first principle surface; wherein the insulating film is arranged to separate the electrical/magnetic transducer from the ceramic wafer.