MAGNETORESISTIVE EFFECT THIN-FILM MAGNETIC HEAD AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING SAME

摘要

[PROBLEMS] To provide a magnetoresistive effect thin-film magnetic head including a magnetoresistive effect element having a CPP structure in which the gap length can be precisely optimized and also to provide a method for fabricating the magnetoresistive effect thin-film magnetic head. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A method for fabricating a magnetoresistive effect thin-film magnetic head is as follows. Stacked magnetoresistive effect thin-films having a cap layer as a top layer are formed on a bottom shield layer. A soft magnetic layer consisting of a soft magnetic material is then formed on the cap layer, and a micro fabrication process is performed. Subsequently, at least an insulating layer is formed on the stacked magnetoresistive effect thin-films after the micro fabrication process, having the cap layer as a top layer, on which the soft magnetic layer is formed. After that, the soft magnetic layer is exposed by removing a part of the insulating layer formed on the soft magnetic layer and a top shield layer is formed on the surface of the exposed soft magnetic layer.