US 7,321,480 B2
Thin-film magnetic head having magnetic layers of different thicknesses and fabrication method for same
Taro Oike, Tokyo (Japan); Kiyoshi Noguchi, Tokyo (Japan); Shin Narushima, Tokyo (Japan); Takamitsu Sakamoto, Tokyo (Japan); and Hiraku Hirabayashi, Tokyo (Japan)
Assigned to TDK Corporation, Tokyo (Japan)
Filed on Aug. 13, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/917,476.
Claims priority of application No. 2003-319662 (JP), filed on Sep. 11, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2005/0057851 A1, Mar. 17, 2005
Int. Cl. G11B 5/39 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 360—126 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.