Patent ID: 7321480

Claim:
A thin-film magnetic head, comprising: first and second magnetic layers each including a magnetic pole tip which confronts each other at an air bearing surface of the head which confronts a recording medium, and being magnetically connected to each other at a remote position from the air bearing surface; a recording gap layer which is provided between said magnetic pole tip of said first magnetic layer and said magnetic pole tip of said second magnetic layer; a thin-film coil being at least partially disposed between said first and second magnetic layers, and at least partially insulated from said first and second magnetic layers; and a substrate; wherein: said first and second magnetic layers, said recording gap layer, and said thin-film coil are stacked on said substrate, wherein said first magnetic layer is arranged closer to said substrate; said first magnetic layer includes a first magnetic pole tip layer which includes said magnetic pole tip of said first magnetic layer, and a first yoke layer which is connected to said first magnetic pole tip layer; said first yoke layer includes in a region in which the first yoke layer confronts said first magnetic pole tip layer, an extended part which is relatively thick and a reduced part which is relatively thin, said extended part being positioned on a side of said air bearing surface; said first magnetic pole tip layer is connected to said first yoke layer at said extended part and magnetically insulated from said first yoke layer at said reduced part; said second magnetic layer includes a second magnetic pole tip layer which includes said magnetic pole tip of said second magnetic layer and a second yoke layer which is connected to said second magnetic pole tip layer; and said first magnetic pole tip layer, said recording gap layer, and said second magnetic pole tip layer have a substantially identical cross-sectional profile in a parallel direction to an upper surface of said substrate.