Patent ID: 7243412

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a magnetic head including a magnetic sensing portion formed of a magnetoresistive effect element, a magnetoresistive effect magnetic head manufacturing method comprising the steps of: depositing, via a film deposition process, a lamination layer having at least a free layer comprised of a soft magnetic material of which the magnetization is rotated in response to an external magnetic field, a fixed layer comprised of a ferromagnetic material, an antiferromagnetic layer for fixing the magnetization of said fixed layer, a magnetic flux introducing layer with a tip end of which is opposed to a surface which is brought in contact with or opposed to a magnetic recording medium, and a spacer layer interposed between said free layer and said fixed layer; patterning at least said free layer and said fixed layer with a single mask such that opposing side surfaces of said free layer and said fixed layer are formed of one continuous surface; forming hard magnetic layers having high or low resistance for maintaining a magnetic stability of said free layer in contact with said opposing side surfaces, wherein said fixed layer is in contact with at least one of said antiferromagnetic layer, said magnetic flux introducing layer, and said space layer, and wherein a sense current for said lamination layer structure portion is flowing through said lamination layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the layers of the lamination layer; and forming an insulating layer on said hard magnetic layers and on said opposing side surfaces.