MAGNETORESISTANCE EFFECT TYPE THIN FILM HEAD

摘要

PURPOSE:To efficiently return a current magnetic field as a bias magnetic field to a magnetoresistive element by forming the surface facing the element on a magnetic shielding layer higher by one step in the direction of the element. CONSTITUTION:A step part 3 is provided to the magnetic shielding layer 2 laminated on a substrate 1 and the magnetoresistive element 5 is laminated via an insulating layer 4 thereon and further an insulating layer 6 consisting of the same material as the material of said layer and having the higher film thickness are laminated thereon. The magnetic resistance between the end of the step part 3 and the layer 2 is high even if the magnetic field created by the current flowing in the element 5 passes the inside of the step part 3 and therefore the magnetic field forms a magnetic loop between the step part 3 and the element 5. The current magnetic field is therefore efficiently returned as the bias magnetic field to the element 5 and the decrease of the bias magnetic field is prevented.