U.S. patent application number 12/982349 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a main pole and two shields.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAE MAGNETICS (H.K.) LTD.. Invention is credited to Atsushi IIJIMA, Hiroyuki ITO, Yoshitaka SASAKI, Kazuki SATO.
Application Number | 20120170156 12/982349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46380560 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120170156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SASAKI; Yoshitaka ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
MAGNETIC HEAD FOR PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING HAVING A MAIN
POLE AND TWO SHIELDS
Abstract
A magnetic head includes: a coil; a main pole; a first shield
disposed backward of the main pole along a direction of travel of a
recording medium; a first return path section connecting the first
shield to the main pole; a second shield disposed forward of the
main pole along the direction of travel of the recording medium;
and a second return path section connecting the second shield to
the main pole. An interface between the first return path section
and the main pole has an end closest to a medium facing surface,
and an interface between the second return path section and the
main pole has an end closest to the medium facing surface, the
latter being closer to the medium facing surface than the former.
The second return path section includes a yoke layer located away
from the medium facing surface and in contact with the main pole.
The coil includes at least one coil element that passes between the
second shield and the yoke layer.
Inventors: |
SASAKI; Yoshitaka; (Santa
Clara, CA) ; ITO; Hiroyuki; (Milpitas, CA) ;
SATO; Kazuki; (Milpitas, CA) ; IIJIMA; Atsushi;
(Hong Kong, CN) |
Assignee: |
SAE MAGNETICS (H.K.) LTD.
Hong Kong
CA
HEADWAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
MILPITAS
|
Family ID: |
46380560 |
Appl. No.: |
12/982349 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/319 ;
G9B/5.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/3146 20130101;
G11B 5/1278 20130101; G11B 5/3116 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/319 ;
G9B/5.04 |
International
Class: |
G11B 5/127 20060101
G11B005/127 |
Claims
1. A magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording,
comprising: a medium facing surface that faces a recording medium;
a coil that produces a magnetic field corresponding to data to be
written on the recording medium; a main pole that has an end face
located in the medium facing surface, allows a magnetic flux
corresponding to the magnetic field produced by the coil to pass,
and produces a write magnetic field for writing the data on the
recording medium by means of a perpendicular magnetic recording
system; a first shield made of a magnetic material and having an
end face that is located in the medium facing surface at a position
backward of the end face of the main pole along a direction of
travel of the recording medium; a second shield made of a magnetic
material and having an end face that is located in the medium
facing surface at a position forward of the end face of the main
pole along the direction of travel of the recording medium; a gap
part made of a nonmagnetic material and provided between the main
pole and each of the first and second shields; a first return path
section that is made of a magnetic material, disposed backward of
the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording
medium, and in contact with the first shield and the main pole; and
a second return path section that is made of a magnetic material,
disposed forward of the main pole along the direction of travel of
the recording medium, and in contact with the second shield and the
main pole, wherein: the first return path section has an end face
that is located away from the medium facing surface and in contact
with the main pole, and the first return path section connects the
first shield and the main pole to each other so that a first space
is defined by the main pole, the gap part, the first shield, and
the first return path section; the second return path section has
an end face that is located away from the medium facing surface and
in contact with the main pole, and the second return path section
connects the second shield and the main pole to each other so that
a second space is defined by the main pole, the gap part, the
second shield, and the second return path section; a first
interface is formed between the main pole and the end face of the
first return path section; a second interface is formed between the
main pole and the end face of the second return path section; the
first interface has a first end that is closest to the medium
facing surface, while the second interface has a second end that is
closest to the medium facing surface, and the second end is located
closer to the medium facing surface than is the first end; the
second return path section includes: a yoke layer that is located
away from the medium facing surface and includes the end face of
the second return path section; and a connection part that is
located forward of the second shield and the yoke layer along the
direction of travel of the recording medium and connects the second
shield and the yoke layer to each other; the coil includes one or
more first coil elements that extend to pass through the first
space, and one or more second coil elements that extend to pass
through the second space; and the one or more second coil elements
include at least one first specific coil element that passes
between the second shield and the yoke layer.
2. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, wherein: the one or more first coil elements are two or
more first coil elements; the one or more second coil elements are
two or more second coil elements; the two or more first coil
elements are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface; and the at least one first specific coil element is
smaller in number than the two or more first coil elements.
3. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 2, wherein the two or more second coil elements include at
least one second specific coil element that is located forward of
the at least one first specific coil element along the direction of
travel of the recording medium.
4. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, wherein the coil includes a first portion and a second
portion, the first portion including the one or more first coil
elements and being wound around part of the first return path
section, the second portion including the one or more second coil
elements and being wound around part of the second return path
section.
5. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, wherein the coil is wound around the main pole.
6. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, further comprising two side shields that are each made
of a magnetic material and that have two end faces located in the
medium facing surface at positions on opposite sides of the end
face of the main pole in a track width direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a magnetic head for
perpendicular magnetic recording that is used for writing data on a
recording medium by means of a perpendicular magnetic recording
system, and more specifically, to a magnetic head for perpendicular
magnetic recording that has a main pole and two shields.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The recording systems of magnetic read/write apparatuses
include a longitudinal magnetic recording system wherein signals
are magnetized in a direction along the plane of the recording
medium (the longitudinal direction) and a perpendicular magnetic
recording system wherein signals are magnetized in a direction
perpendicular to the plane of the recording medium. It is known
that the perpendicular magnetic recording system is harder to be
affected by thermal fluctuation of the recording medium and capable
of providing higher linear recording density, compared with the
longitudinal magnetic recording system.
[0005] Magnetic heads for perpendicular magnetic recording
typically have, like those for longitudinal magnetic recording, a
structure where a read head having a magnetoresistive element
(hereinafter, also referred to as MR element) for reading and a
write head having an induction-type electromagnetic transducer for
writing are stacked on a substrate. The write head includes a main
pole that produces a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to
the plane of the recording medium. The main pole includes, for
example, a track width defining portion having an end located in a
medium facing surface that faces the recording medium, and a wide
portion that is connected to the other end of the track width
defining portion and is greater in width than the track width
defining portion. The track width defining portion has a generally
constant width. To achieve higher recording density, it is required
that the write heads of the perpendicular magnetic recording system
be smaller in track width and improved in write characteristics
such as an overwrite property which is a parameter indicating an
overwriting capability.
[0006] A magnetic head for use in a magnetic disk drive such as a
hard disk drive is typically provided in a slider. The slider has
the medium facing surface mentioned above. The medium facing
surface has an air inflow end (a leading end) and an air outflow
end (a trailing end). The slider is designed to slightly fly over
the surface of the recording medium by means of an airflow that
comes from the air inflow end into the space between the medium
facing surface and the recording medium. The magnetic head is
typically disposed near the air outflow end of the medium facing
surface of the slider. In a magnetic disk drive, positioning of the
magnetic head is performed by a rotary actuator, for example. In
this case, the magnetic head moves over the recording medium along
a circular orbit about the center of rotation of the rotary
actuator. In such a magnetic disk drive, a tilt of the magnetic
head with respect to the tangent of the circular track, which is
called a skew, occurs according to the position of the magnetic
head across the tracks.
[0007] In particular, in a magnetic disk drive of the perpendicular
magnetic recording system which is higher in capability of writing
on a recording medium than the longitudinal magnetic recording
system, the skew mentioned above can cause the phenomenon that
signals already written on one or more tracks that are adjacent to
a track targeted for writing are erased or attenuated during
writing of a signal on the track targeted for writing (such a
phenomenon will hereinafter be referred to as adjacent track
erase). To increase the recording density, it is required to
prevent the occurrence of adjacent track erase.
[0008] Providing one or more shields near the main pole is
effective for preventing the aforementioned skew-induced adjacent
track erase and increasing the recording density. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,954,340 B2 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0128637 A1 describe a magnetic head including four shields:
one having an end face located in the medium facing surface at a
position forward of an end face of the main pole along the
direction of travel of the recording medium; another having an end
face located in the medium facing surface at a position backward of
the end face of the main pole along the direction of travel of the
recording medium; and the other two having two end faces located in
the medium facing surface at positions on opposite sides of the end
face of the main pole in the track width direction. The end faces
of the four shields are arranged to wrap around the end face of the
main pole in the medium facing surface.
[0009] In a magnetic head, a position forward of the main pole
along the direction of travel of the recording medium is a position
on the air-outflow-end side (the trailing end side), while a
position backward of the main pole along the direction of travel of
the recording medium is a position on the air-inflow-end side (the
leading end side). Hereinafter, a shield having an end face located
forward of the end face of the main pole along the direction of
travel of the recording medium will be referred to as a trailing
shield, while a shield having an end face located backward of the
end face of the main pole along the direction of travel of the
recording medium will be referred to as a leading shield.
[0010] In a magnetic head having one or more shields, there is
typically provided a magnetic layer for connecting the one or more
shields to a part of the main pole away from the medium facing
surface. The one or more shields and the aforementioned magnetic
layer function to capture a magnetic flux that is produced from the
end face of the main pole and that expands in directions other than
the direction perpendicular to the plane of the recording medium,
and to thereby prevent the magnetic flux from reaching the
recording medium. The one or more shields and the aforementioned
magnetic layer also function to allow a magnetic flux that has been
produced from the end face of the main pole and has magnetized the
recording medium to flow back to the main pole. Thus, the magnetic
head having one or more shields allows prevention of the adjacent
track erase and allows a further improvement in recording
density.
[0011] The position of an end of a record bit to be recorded on the
recording medium depends on the position of an end of the end face
of the main pole located in the medium facing surface, the end
being located forward along the direction of travel of the
recording medium. For this reason, in the magnetic head having the
leading shield and the trailing shield, it is important especially
for the trailing shield to be capable of capturing as much magnetic
flux as possible in order to accurately define the position of the
end of the record bit.
[0012] In addition, as the frequency of the recording signal is
increased in order to increase the recording density, the magnetic
head is required to be improved in the rate of change in the
direction of the magnetic flux produced from the end face of the
main pole. To satisfy this requirement, it is particularly
effective for the magnetic head having the leading shield and the
trailing shield to shorten the length of a magnetic path that
passes through the main pole and the trailing shield which captures
much magnetic flux.
[0013] However, no attempts have been made to reduce the length of
the magnetic path that passes through the main pole and the
trailing shield.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording that is capable
of reducing the length of a magnetic path that passes through a
main pole and a shield, the shield having an end face located in
the medium facing surface at a position forward of an end face of
the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording
medium.
[0015] A magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording of the
present invention includes: a medium facing surface that faces a
recording medium; a coil that produces a magnetic field
corresponding to data to be written on the recording medium; and a
main pole that has an end face located in the medium facing
surface, allows a magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic field
produced by the coil to pass, and produces a write magnetic field
for writing the data on the recording medium by means of a
perpendicular magnetic recording system. The magnetic head further
includes: a first shield made of a magnetic material and having an
end face that is located in the medium facing surface at a position
backward of the end face of the main pole along a direction of
travel of the recording medium; a second shield made of a magnetic
material and having an end face that is located in the medium
facing surface at a position forward of the end face of the main
pole along the direction of travel of the recording medium; and a
gap part made of a nonmagnetic material and provided between the
main pole and each of the first and second shields. The magnetic
head further includes: a first return path section that is made of
a magnetic material, disposed backward of the main pole along the
direction of travel of the recording medium, and in contact with
the first shield and the main pole; and a second return path
section that is made of a magnetic material, disposed forward of
the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording
medium, and in contact with the second shield and the main
pole.
[0016] The first return path section has an end face that is
located away from the medium facing surface and in contact with the
main pole. The first return path section connects the first shield
and the main pole to each other so that a first space is defined by
the main pole, the gap part, the first shield, and the first return
path section. The second return path section has an end face that
is located away from the medium facing surface and in contact with
the main pole. The second return path section connects the second
shield and the main pole to each other so that a second space is
defined by the main pole, the gap part, the second shield, and the
second return path section. A first interface is formed between the
main pole and the end face of the first return path section, while
a second interface is formed between the main pole and the end face
of the second return path section. The first interface has a first
end that is closest to the medium facing surface. The second
interface has a second end that is closest to the medium facing
surface. The second end is located closer to the medium facing
surface than is the first end.
[0017] The second return path section includes: a yoke layer that
is located away from the medium facing surface and includes the end
face of the second return path section; and a connection part that
is located forward of the second shield and the yoke layer along
the direction of travel of the recording medium and connects the
second shield and the yoke layer to each other. The coil includes
one or more first coil elements that extend to pass through the
first space, and one or more second coil elements that extend to
pass through the second space. The one or more second coil elements
include at least one first specific coil element that passes
between the second shield and the yoke layer.
[0018] In the magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording of
the present invention, the one or more first coil elements may be
two or more first coil elements, while the one or more second coil
elements may be two or more second coil elements. In this case, the
two or more first coil elements may be aligned in a direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface, and the at least one
first specific coil element may be smaller in number than the two
or more first coil elements. The two or more second coil elements
may include at least one second specific coil element that is
located forward of the at least one first specific coil element
along the direction of travel of the recording medium.
[0019] In the magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording of
the present invention, the coil may include a first portion and a
second portion, the first portion including the one or more first
coil elements and being wound around part of the first return path
section, the second portion including the one or more second coil
elements and being wound around part of the second return path
section.
[0020] In the magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording of
the present invention, the coil may be wound around the main
pole.
[0021] The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording of
the present invention may further include two side shields that are
each made of a magnetic material and that have two end faces
located in the medium facing surface at positions on opposite sides
of the end face of the main pole in the track width direction.
[0022] In the magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording of
the present invention, the second end of the second interface
between the main pole and the end face of the second return path
section is located closer to the medium facing surface than is the
first end of the first interface between the main pole and the
first return path section. The one or more second coil elements
extending to pass through the second space include at least one
first specific coil element that passes between the second shield
and the yoke layer. Consequently, according to the present
invention, it is possible to reduce the length of the magnetic path
that passes through the second shield and the main pole, the second
shield having an end face that is located in the medium facing
surface at a position forward of the end face of the main pole
along the direction of travel of the recording medium. In other
words, it is possible to reduce the length of the magnetic path
that passes through the second shield, the second return path
section, and the main pole. This allows improving the rate of
change in the direction of the magnetic flux produced from the end
face of the main pole.
[0023] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become fully apparent from the following
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the medium facing surface of
the magnetic head according to the first embodiment of the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first portion of a coil in
the magnetic head according to the first embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first layer of a second
portion of the coil in the magnetic head according to the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a second layer of the second
portion of the coil in the magnetic head according to the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a third layer of the second
portion of the coil in the magnetic head according to the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of a main pole
near the medium facing surface in the magnetic head according to
the first embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the main
pole near the medium facing surface in the magnetic head according
to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a plurality of first coil
elements of a coil in a magnetic head according to a second
embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a plurality of second coil
elements of the coil in the magnetic head according to the second
embodiment of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a third embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a first layer of a second
portion of a coil in the magnetic head according to the sixth
embodiment of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a second layer of the second
portion of the coil in the magnetic head according to the sixth
embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a plurality of second coil
elements of a coil in a magnetic head according to a seventh
embodiment of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a ninth embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic head
according to a tenth embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a first layer of a second
portion of a coil in the magnetic head according to the tenth
embodiment of the invention.
[0045] FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a second layer of the second
portion of the coil in the magnetic head according to the tenth
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0046] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
in detail with reference to the drawings. First, reference is made
to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 to describe the configuration of a magnetic
head according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a
cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the present
embodiment. Note that FIG. 1 shows a cross section perpendicular to
the medium facing surface and the top surface of the substrate. The
arrow with the symbol T in FIG. 1 indicates the direction of travel
of the recording medium. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the medium
facing surface of the magnetic head according to the present
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first portion of a coil
in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is
a plan view showing a first layer of a second portion of the coil
in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is
a plan view showing a second layer of the second portion of the
coil in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. FIG.
6 is a plan view showing a third layer of the second portion of the
coil in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. The
arrows with the symbol TW in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 indicate the track
width direction.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the magnetic head for
perpendicular magnetic recording (hereinafter simply referred to as
magnetic head) according to the present embodiment includes: a
substrate 1 made of a ceramic material such as aluminum
oxide-titanium carbide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3--TiC) and having a top
surface 1a; an insulating layer 2 made of an insulating material
such as alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and disposed on the top surface
1a of the substrate 1; a bottom read shield layer 3 made of a
magnetic material and disposed on the insulating layer 2; a bottom
read shield gap film 4 which is an insulating film disposed on the
bottom read shield layer 3; a magnetoresistive (MR) element 5 as a
read element disposed on the bottom read shield gap film 4; a top
read shield gap film 6 which is an insulating film disposed on the
MR element 5; and a top read shield layer 7 made of a magnetic
material and disposed on the top read shield gap film 6.
[0048] An end of the MR element 5 is located in a medium facing
surface 30 that faces the recording medium. The MR element 5 may be
an element formed of a magneto-sensitive film that exhibits a
magnetoresistive effect, such as an anisotropic magnetoresistive
(AMR) element, a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) element, or a
tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) element. The GMR element may be of
either the current-in-plane (CIP) type in which a current for use
in magnetic signal detection is fed in a direction generally
parallel to the plane of layers constituting the GMR element or the
current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) type in which the current for
use in magnetic signal detection is fed in a direction generally
perpendicular to the plane of the layers constituting the GMR
element.
[0049] The parts from the bottom read shield layer 3 to the top
read shield layer 7 constitute a read head. The magnetic head
further includes a nonmagnetic layer 8 made of a nonmagnetic
material and disposed on the top read shield layer 7, and a write
head disposed on the nonmagnetic layer 8. The nonmagnetic layer 8
is made of alumina, for example. The write head includes a coil, a
main pole 15, a first shield 16A, two side shields 16B and 16C, a
second shield 16D, and a gap part.
[0050] The coil produces a magnetic field corresponding to data to
be written on the recording medium. The coil includes a first
portion 10 and a second portion 20. The first portion 10 and the
second portion 20 are both made of a conductive material such as
copper. The first portion 10 and the second portion 20 are
connected in series or in parallel. The main pole 15 has an end
face located in the medium facing surface 30. The main pole 15
allows a magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic field produced
by the coil to pass, and produces a write magnetic field for
writing data on the recording medium by means of the perpendicular
magnetic recording system. FIG. 1 shows a cross section that
intersects the end face of the main pole 15 located in the medium
facing surface 30 and that is perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 30 and the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 (the cross
section will hereinafter be referred to as main cross section). The
coil will be described in more detail later.
[0051] Each of the shields 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D is made of a
magnetic material. Examples of materials that can be used for the
shields 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D include CoFeN, CoNiFe, NiFe, and
CoFe.
[0052] The two side shields 16B and 16C are located on opposite
sides of the main pole 15 in the track width direction TW. Relative
to the main pole 15, the first shield 16A is located backward along
the direction T of travel of the recording medium (i.e., on the
leading end side). Relative to the main pole 15, the second shield
16D is located forward along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium (i.e., on the trailing end side). The side shields
16B and 16C magnetically couple the first shield 16A and the second
shield 16D to each other.
[0053] The first shield 16A has an end face that is located in the
medium facing surface 30 at a position backward of the end face of
the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium. The second shield 16D has an end face that is located in
the medium facing surface 30 at a position forward of the end face
of the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium. The two side shields 16B and 16C have two end
faces located on opposite sides of the main pole 15 in the track
width direction TW. In the medium facing surface 30, the end faces
of the shields 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D are arranged to wrap around
the end face of the main pole 15.
[0054] The magnetic head further includes a first return path
section and a second return path section. Each of the first and
second return path sections is made of a magnetic material.
Examples of materials that can be used for the first and second
return path sections include CoFeN, CoNiFe, NiFe, and CoFe. The
first return path section is located backward of the main pole 15
along the direction of travel of the recording medium and is in
contact with the first shield 16A and the main pole 15, thereby
magnetically coupling the first shield 16A and the main pole 15 to
each other. The second return path section is located forward of
the main pole 15 along the direction of travel of the recording
medium and is in contact with the second shield 16D and the main
pole 15, thereby magnetically coupling the second shield 16D and
the main pole 15 to each other.
[0055] The first return path section includes magnetic layers 31 to
36. The magnetic layer 31 is located on the nonmagnetic layer 8.
The magnetic layers 32 and 33 are both located on the magnetic
layer 31. The magnetic layer 32 is located near the medium facing
surface 30. The magnetic layer 33 is located farther from the
medium facing surface 30 than is the magnetic layer 32. The
magnetic layers 31 and 32 have their respective end faces facing
toward the medium facing surface 30. These end faces are located at
a distance from the medium surface 30.
[0056] The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 51
made of an insulating material and disposed around the magnetic
layer 31 on the nonmagnetic layer 8, and an insulating layer 52
made of an insulating material and disposed on part of the top
surface of the magnetic layer 31. The insulating layers 51 and 52
are made of alumina, for example. At least part of the first
portion 10 is located on the insulating layer 52. The first portion
10 is planar spiral-shaped and is wound around the magnetic layer
33 which constitutes part of the first return path section.
[0057] The magnetic head further includes: an insulating layer 53
made of an insulating material and disposed around the first
portion 10 and the magnetic layer 33 and in the space between every
adjacent turns of the first portion 10; and an insulating layer 54
made of an insulating material and disposed around the insulating
layer 53 and the magnetic layer 32. The top surfaces of the first
portion 10, the magnetic layers 32 and 33 and the insulating layers
53 and 54 are even with each other. The insulating layer 53 is made
of photoresist, for example. In the present embodiment, the
insulating layer 54 is particularly made of an inorganic insulating
material harder than the magnetic material that is used for the
magnetic layer 32. Alumina is an example of such inorganic
insulating materials.
[0058] The magnetic layer 34 is disposed on the magnetic layer 32
and the insulating layer 54. The magnetic layer 35 is disposed on
the magnetic layer 33. The magnetic layer 34 has an end face
located in the medium facing surface 30. The magnetic head further
includes an insulating layer 55 made of an insulating material and
disposed around the magnetic layers 34 and 35 on the top surfaces
of the first portion 10 and the insulating layer 53. The insulating
layer 55 is made of alumina, for example. The top surfaces of the
magnetic layers 34 and 35 and the insulating layer 55 are even with
each other.
[0059] The first shield 16A is disposed on the magnetic layer 34.
The magnetic layer 36 is disposed on the magnetic layer 35. The
magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 56 made of an
insulating material and disposed around the first shield 16A and
the magnetic layer 36 on a part of the top surface of the magnetic
layer 34 and the top surface of the insulating layer 55. The
insulating layer 56 is made of alumina, for example.
[0060] The main pole 15 has: a bottom end 15L which is an end
closer to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1; a top surface 15T
opposite to the bottom end 15L; and first and second side parts SP1
and SP2 that are opposite to each other in the track width
direction TW. The side shield 16B has a first sidewall SW1 that is
opposed to the first side part SP1 of the main pole 15. The side
shield 16C has a second sidewall SW2 that is opposed to the second
side part SP2 of the main pole 15.
[0061] The gap part is made of a nonmagnetic material and disposed
between the main pole 15 and the shields 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D. The
gap part includes a first gap layer 17 disposed between the main
pole 15 and the first shield 16A and between the main pole 15 and
the side shields 16B and 16C, and a second gap layer 18 disposed
between the main pole 15 and the second shield 16D.
[0062] The side shields 16B and 16C are disposed on the first
shield 16A and are in contact with the top surface of the first
shield 16A. The first gap layer 17 is arranged to extend along the
sidewalls of the side shields 16B and 16C, the top surface of the
first shield 16A, and the top surface of the insulating layer 56.
The first gap layer 17 is made of a nonmagnetic material. The
nonmagnetic material used to form the first gap layer 17 may be an
insulating material or a nonmagnetic metal material. Alumina is an
example of insulating materials that can be used to form the first
gap layer 17. Ru is an example of nonmagnetic metal materials that
can be used to form the first gap layer 17. The first gap layer 17
has an opening for exposing the top surface of the magnetic layer
36.
[0063] The main pole 15 is disposed over the first shield 16A and
the insulating layer 56 such that the first gap layer 17 is
interposed between the main pole 15 and the top surfaces of the
first shield 16A and the insulating layer 56. As shown in FIG. 2,
the first gap layer 17 is interposed also between the main pole 15
and the side shields 16B and 16C.
[0064] The bottom end 15L of the main pole 15 is in contact with
the top surface of the magnetic layer 36 at a position away from
the medium facing surface 30. The main pole 15 is made of a
magnetic metal material. Examples of materials that can be used for
the main pole 15 include NiFe, CoNiFe, and CoFe. The shape of the
main pole 15 will be described in detail later.
[0065] The magnetic head further includes a not-shown nonmagnetic
layer made of a nonmagnetic material and disposed around the main
pole 15, the first shield 16A and the side shields 16B and 16C. In
the present embodiment, the not-shown nonmagnetic layer is made of
a nonmagnetic insulating material such as alumina, in
particular.
[0066] The magnetic head further includes: a nonmagnetic metal
layer 61 made of a nonmagnetic metal material and disposed on part
of the top surface 15T of the main pole 15 at a position away from
the medium facing surface; and an insulating layer 62 made of an
insulating material and disposed on the top surface of the
nonmagnetic metal layer 61. The nonmagnetic metal layer 61 is made
of Ru, NiCr, or NiCu, for example. The insulating layer 62 is made
of alumina, for example.
[0067] The second gap layer 18 is disposed to cover the main pole
15, the nonmagnetic metal layer 61, and the insulating layer 62.
The second gap layer 18 is made of a nonmagnetic material. Examples
of materials that can be used for the second gap layer 18 include
nonmagnetic insulating materials such as alumina, and nonmagnetic
conductive materials such as Ru, NiCu, Ta, W, NiB, and NiP.
[0068] The second shield 16D is disposed over the side shields 16B
and 16C and the second gap layer 18, and is in contact with the top
surfaces of the side shields 16B and 16C and the second gap layer
18. In the medium facing surface 30, part of the end face of the
second shield 16D is located at a predetermined distance from the
end face of the main pole 15, the distance being created by the
thickness of the second gap layer 18. The thickness of the second
gap layer 18 preferably falls within the range of 5 to 60 nm, and
may be 30 to 60 nm, for example. The end face of the main pole 15
has a side that is adjacent to the second gap layer 18, and the
side defines the track width.
[0069] The second return path section includes a yoke layer 40 and
magnetic layers 41 to 45. The yoke layer 40 is disposed on the main
pole 15 at a position away from the medium facing surface 30. The
magnetic layers 41 to 45 connect the second shield 16D and the yoke
layer 40 to each other.
[0070] The second portion 20 of the coil includes a first layer 21,
a second layer 22, and a third layer 23. Part of the first layer 21
passes between the second shield 16D and the yoke layer 40. The
magnetic head further includes: an insulating film 63 made of an
insulating material and interposed between the first layer 21 and
each of the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40 and the second gap
layer 18; and a not-shown insulating layer made of an insulating
material and disposed around the first layer 21, the second shield
16D and the yoke layer 40. The insulating film 63 and the not-shown
insulating layer are made of alumina, for example. The top surfaces
of the first layer 21, the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40,
the insulating film 63 and the not-shown insulating layer are even
with each other.
[0071] The magnetic layer 41 is disposed on the second shield 16D.
The magnetic layer 41 has an end face that faces toward the medium
facing surface 30. This end face is located at a distance from the
medium facing surface 30. The magnetic layer 42 is disposed on the
yoke layer 40.
[0072] The second layer 22 is disposed above the first layer 21.
Part of the second layer 22 passes between the magnetic layer 41
and the magnetic layer 42. The magnetic head further includes: an
insulating film 64 made of an insulating material and interposed
between the second layer 22 and each of the first layer 21 and the
magnetic layers 41 and 42: and an insulating layer 65 made of an
insulating material and disposed around the second layer 22 and the
magnetic layers 41 and 42. The insulating film 64 and the
insulating layer 65 are made of alumina, for example. The top
surfaces of the second layer 22, the magnetic layers 41 and 42, the
insulating film 64 and the insulating layer 65 are even with each
other.
[0073] The magnetic layer 43 is disposed on the magnetic layer 41.
The magnetic layer 43 has an end face that faces toward the medium
facing surface 30. This end face is located at a distance from the
medium facing surface 30. The magnetic layer 44 is disposed on the
magnetic layer 42.
[0074] The third layer 23 is disposed above the second layer 22.
Part of the third layer 23 passes between the magnetic layer 43 and
the magnetic layer 44. The magnetic head further includes: an
insulating film 66 made of an insulating material and interposed
between the third layer 23 and each of the second layer 22 and the
magnetic layers 43 and 44: and an insulating layer 67 made of an
insulating material and disposed around the third layer 23 and the
magnetic layers 43 and 44. The insulating film 66 and the
insulating layer 67 are made of alumina, for example. The top
surfaces of the third layer 23, the magnetic layers 43 and 44, the
insulating film 66 and the insulating layer 67 are even with each
other. The magnetic head further includes an insulating film 68
made of an insulating material and disposed to cover the third
layer 23. The insulating film 68 is made of alumina, for
example.
[0075] The magnetic layer 45 is disposed over the magnetic layers
43 and 44 and the insulating film 68, and connects the magnetic
layer 43 and the magnetic layer 44 to each other. The magnetic
layer 45 has an end face that faces toward the medium facing
surface 30. This end face is located at a distance from the medium
facing surface 30. The magnetic head further includes an insulating
layer 69 made of an insulating material and disposed around the
magnetic layer 45. The insulating layer 69 is made of alumina, for
example. The top surfaces of the magnetic layer 45 and the
insulating layer 69 are even with each other.
[0076] The magnetic head further includes a protection layer 70
made of a nonmagnetic material and disposed to cover the magnetic
layer 45. The protection layer 70 is made of, for example, an
inorganic insulating material such as alumina.
[0077] As has been described, the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment includes the medium facing surface 30, the read
head, and the write head. The medium facing surface 30 faces the
recording medium. The read head and the write head are stacked on
the substrate 1. Relative to the write head, the read head is
disposed backward along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium (i.e., on the leading end side).
[0078] The read head includes: the MR element 5 as the read
element; the bottom read shield layer 3 and the top read shield
layer 7 for shielding the MR element 5, with their respective
portions near the medium facing surface 30 opposed to each other
with the MR element 5 therebetween; the bottom read shield gap film
4 disposed between the MR element 5 and the bottom read shield
layer 3; and the top read shield gap film 6 disposed between the MR
element 5 and the top read shield layer 7.
[0079] The write head includes: the coil including the first and
second portions 10 and 20; the main pole 15; the first shield 16A;
the two side shields 16B and 16C; the second shield 16D; the gap
part; and the first and second return path sections.
[0080] The two side shields 16B and 16C are disposed near the
medium facing surface 30 at positions on opposite sides of the main
pole 15 in the track width direction TW. The positions of the two
side shields 16B and 16C are symmetric with respect to the center
of the main pole 15 in the track width direction TW. The first
shield 16A is disposed near the medium facing surface 30 at a
position backward of the side shields 16B and 16C along the
direction T of travel of the recording medium. The second shield
16D is disposed near the medium facing surface 30 at a position
forward of the side shields 16B and 16C along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium.
[0081] The first shield 16A has an end face that is located in the
medium facing surface 30 at a position backward of the end face of
the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium. The two side shields 16B and 16C have two end faces that
are located in the medium facing surface 30 at positions on
opposite sides of the end face of the main pole 15 in the track
width direction TW. The second shield 16D has an end face that is
located in the medium facing surface 30 at a position forward of
the end face of the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of
the recording medium.
[0082] The gap part includes the first gap layer 17 disposed
between the main pole 15 and the first shield 16A and between the
main pole 15 and the side shields 16B and 16C, and the second gap
layer 18 disposed between the main pole 15 and the second shield
16D.
[0083] The first return path section is made of a magnetic material
and disposed backward of the main pole 15 along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium. The first return path section is in
contact with the first shield 16A and the main pole 15. The first
return path section includes the magnetic layers 31 to 36.
[0084] The first return path section has an end face that is
located away from the medium facing surface 30 and in contact with
the main pole 15. This end face is the top surface of the magnetic
layer 36. A first interface S10 is formed between the main pole 15
and the aforementioned end face of the first return path section
(the top surface of the magnetic layer 36). As shown in FIG. 1, the
first return path section connects the first shield 16A and the
main pole 15 to each other so that a first space S1 is defined by
the main pole 15, the gap part (the gap layer 17), the first shield
16A and the first return path section, thereby magnetically
coupling the first shield 16A and the main pole 15 to each
other.
[0085] In the first return path section, the magnetic layers 34 and
32 magnetically couple the first shield 16A and the first magnetic
layer 31 to each other. The magnetic layer 34 has an end face that
is located in the medium facing surface 30 at a position backward
of the end face of the first shield 16A along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium. In the main cross section, the
magnetic layer 31 is greater than the first shield 16A in length in
the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30. In the
main cross section, each of the magnetic layers 34 and 32 is
greater than the first shield 16A and smaller than the magnetic
layer 31 in length in the direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 30.
[0086] In the present embodiment, neither of the magnetic layers 31
and 32 is exposed in the medium facing surface 30. The magnetic
layers 31 and 32 have their respective end faces facing toward the
medium facing surface 30. These end faces are located at a distance
from the medium facing surface 30. Part of the insulating layer 51
is interposed between the medium facing surface 30 and the
aforementioned end face of the magnetic layer 31. Part of the
insulating layer 54 is interposed between the medium facing surface
30 and the aforementioned end face of the magnetic layer 32.
[0087] The second return path section is made of a magnetic
material and disposed forward of the main pole 15 along the
direction T of travel of the recording medium. The second return
path section is in contact with the first shield 16A and the main
pole 15. The second return path section includes the yoke layer 40
and the magnetic layers 41 to 45.
[0088] The second return path section has an end face that is
located away from the medium facing surface 30 and in contact with
the main pole 15. The yoke layer 40 has a bottom surface located
away from the medium facing surface 30. The bottom surface of the
yoke layer 40 is the aforementioned end face of the second return
path section. The magnetic layers 41 to 45 constitute a connection
part for connecting the second shield 16D and the yoke layer 40 to
each other. The connection part is located forward of the second
shield 16D and the yoke layer 40 along the direction T of travel of
the recording medium. A second interface S20 is formed between the
main pole 15 and the aforementioned end face of the second return
path section (the bottom surface of the yoke layer 40). As shown in
FIG. 1, the second return path section connects the second shield
16D and the main pole 15 to each other so that a second space S2 is
defined by the main pole 15, the gap part (the gap layer 18), the
second shield 16D and the second return path section, thereby
magnetically coupling the second shield 16D and the main pole 15 to
each other.
[0089] In the present embodiment, none of the magnetic layers 41,
43 and 45 are exposed in the medium facing surface 30. The magnetic
layers 41, 43 and 45 have their respective end faces facing toward
the medium facing surface 30. These end faces are located at a
distance from the medium facing surface 30. Part of the insulating
layer 65 is interposed between the medium facing surface 30 and the
aforementioned end face of the magnetic layer 41. Part of the
insulating layer 67 is interposed between the medium facing surface
30 and the aforementioned end face of the magnetic layer 43. Part
of the insulating layer 69 is interposed between the medium facing
surface 30 and the aforementioned end face of the magnetic layer
45.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 1, the first interface S10 has a first end
E1 that is closest to the medium facing surface 30, while the
second interface S20 has a second end E2 that is closest to the
medium facing surface. The second end E2 is located closer to the
medium facing surface 30 than is the first end E1.
[0091] Part of the first portion 10 of the coil passes through the
space S1. Part of the second portion 20 of the coil passes through
the space S2. The first portion 10 and the second portion 20 will
now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6.
[0092] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first portion 10. The
first portion 10 is wound one or more turns around the magnetic
layer 33 which constitutes part of the first return path section.
The first portion 10 includes one or more first coil elements
extending to pass through the first space S1. Note that the coil
elements refer to part of the coil winding. Where the first portion
10 is wound two or more turns around the magnetic layer 33, the
first portion 10 includes two or more first coil elements extending
to pass through the first space S1. In the present embodiment, in
particular, the first portion 10 is wound approximately three turns
around the magnetic layer 33, and includes three first coil
elements 10A, 10B, and 10C extending to pass through the first
space S1. The first coil elements 10A, 10B, and 10C are aligned in
the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30, in the
listed order from the medium facing surface 30 side. The first
portion 10 has a coil connection part 10E electrically connected to
the second portion 20.
[0093] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the first layer 21 of the
second portion 20. The first layer 21 is wound one turn around the
yoke layer 40 which constitutes part of the second return path
section. The first layer 21 includes a coil element 21A that passes
between the second shield 16D and the yoke layer 40, in particular,
within the second space S2. The first layer 21 has a coil
connection part 21S electrically connected to the coil connection
part 10E of the first portion 10, and a coil connection part 21E
electrically connected to the second layer 22. The coil connection
part 21S is electrically connected to the coil connection part 10E
via a columnar connection layer (not shown) that penetrates a
plurality of layers interposed between the first layer 21 and the
first portion 10. The connection layer is made of a conductive
material such as copper.
[0094] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the second layer 22 of the
second portion 20. The second layer 22 is wound one turn around the
magnetic layer 42 which constitutes part of the second return path
section. The second layer 22 includes a coil element 22A that
passes between the magnetic layers 41 and 42, in particular, within
the second space S2. The second layer 22 has a coil connection part
22S penetrating the insulating film 64 and electrically connected
to the coil connection part 21E of the first layer 21, and a coil
connection part 22E electrically connected to the third layer
23.
[0095] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the third layer 23 of the
second portion 20. The third layer 23 is wound approximately one
turn around the magnetic layer 44 which constitutes part of the
second return path section. The third layer 23 includes a coil
element 23A that passes between the magnetic layers 43 and 44, in
particular, within the second space S2. The third layer 23 has a
coil connection part 23S penetrating the insulating film 66 and
electrically connected to the coil connection part 22E of the
second layer 22. In the example shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the
first portion 10 and the second portion 20 are connected in
series.
[0096] The coil elements 21A, 22A, and 23A correspond to the one or
more second coil elements according to the present invention. The
one or more second coil elements include at least one first
specific coil element that passes between the second shield 16D and
the yoke layer 40. In the present embodiment, the one or more
second coil elements are two or more second coil elements, or
specifically, the three coil elements 21A, 22A, and 23A. Among
them, the coil element 21A is the first specific coil element. The
coil elements 22A and 23A are located forward of the coil element
21A along the direction T of travel of the recording medium. Thus,
the coil elements 22A and 23A are second specific coil
elements.
[0097] The shape of the main pole 15 will now be described in
detail with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 7 is a perspective
view of a part of the main pole 15 in the vicinity of the medium
facing surface 30. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a part of
the main pole 15 in the vicinity of the medium facing surface 30.
As shown in FIG. 7, the main pole 15 includes a track width
defining portion 15A and a wide portion 15B. The track width
defining portion 15A has an end face located in the medium facing
surface 30, and an end opposite to the end face. The wide portion
15B is connected to the end of the track width defining portion
15A. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the main pole 15 has: the
bottom end 15L which is the end closer to the top surface 1a of the
substrate 1; the top surface 15T opposite to the bottom end 15L;
the first side part SP1; and the second side part SP2. The width of
the top surface 15T in the track width direction TW is greater in
the wide portion 15B than in the track width defining portion
15A.
[0098] In the track width defining portion 15A, the width of the
top surface 15T in the track width direction TW is generally
constant regardless of the distance from the medium facing surface
30. In the wide portion 15B, the width of the top surface 15T in
the track width direction TW is, for example, equal to that in the
track width defining portion 15A when seen at the boundary between
the track width defining portion 15A and the wide portion 15B, and
gradually increases with increasing distance from the medium facing
surface 30, then becoming constant. Here, the length of the track
width defining portion 15A in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 30 will be referred to as neck height. The
neck height falls within the range of 0 to 0.3 .mu.m, for example.
A zero neck height means that no track width defining portion 15A
exists and an end face of the wide portion 15B is thus located in
the medium facing surface 30.
[0099] The bottom end 15L includes a first portion 15L1, a second
portion 15L2, and a third portion 15L3 that are contiguously
arranged in order of increasing distance from the medium facing
surface 30. The first portion 15L1 has an end located in the medium
facing surface 30. Each of the first and second portions 15L1 and
15L2 may be an edge formed by two intersecting planes, or may be a
plane connecting two planes to each other. The third portion 15L3
is a plane extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the medium facing surface 30. The top surface 15T includes a fourth
portion 15T1, a fifth portion 15T2, and a sixth portion 15T3 that
are contiguously arranged in order of increasing distance from the
medium facing surface 30. The fourth portion 15T1 has an end
located in the medium facing surface 30.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 8, the distance from the top surface 1a of
the substrate 1 to any given point on each of the first and second
portions 15L1 and 15L2 decreases with increasing distance from the
given point to the medium facing surface 30. The first portion 15L1
has an angle of inclination .theta..sub.L1 with respect to the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30, and the
second portion 15L2 has an angle of inclination .theta.O.sub.L2
with respect to the direction perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 30, .theta..sub.L2 being greater than .theta..sub.L1. The
first shield 16A has a top surface that is opposed to the first
portion 15L1 with the gap part (the first gap layer 17) interposed
therebetween. The distance from the top surface 1a of the substrate
1 to any given point on the top surface of the first shield 16A
decreases with increasing distance from the given point to the
medium facing surface 30.
[0101] The distance from the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 to
any given point on each of the fourth and fifth portions 15T1 and
15T2 increases with increasing distance from the given point to the
medium facing surface 30. The fourth portion 15T1 has an angle of
inclination .theta..sub.T1 with respect to the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30, and the fifth
portion 15T2 has an angle of inclination .theta..sub.T2 with
respect to the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface
30, .theta..sub.T2 being greater than .theta..sub.T1. The sixth
portion 15T3 extends in the direction substantially perpendicular
to the medium facing surface 30. The second shield 16D has a bottom
surface that is opposed to the fourth and fifth portions 15T1 and
15T2 with the gap part (the second gap layer 18) interposed
therebetween. The distance from the top surface 1a of the substrate
1 to any given point on the bottom surface of the second shield 16D
increases with increasing distance from the given point to the
medium facing surface 30.
[0102] Both the angle of inclination .theta..sub.L1 of the first
portion 15L1 and the angle of inclination .theta..sub.T1 of the
fourth portion 15T1 preferably fall within the range of 15.degree.
to 45.degree.. Both the angle of inclination .theta..sub.L2 of the
second portion 15L2 and the angle of inclination .theta..sub.T2 of
the fifth portion 15T2 preferably fall within the range of
45.degree. to 85.degree..
[0103] As shown in FIG. 7, the end face of the main pole 15 located
in the medium facing surface 30 has a first side A1 adjacent to the
second gap layer 18, a second side A2 connected to a first end of
the first side A1, and a third side A3 connected to a second end of
the first side A1. The first side A1 defines the track width. The
position of an end of a record bit to be recorded on the recording
medium depends on the position of the first side A1. The end face
of the main pole 15 located in the medium facing surface 30
decreases in width in the track width direction TW with increasing
proximity to the bottom end 15L of the main pole 15, that is, with
increasing proximity to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1. Each
of the second side A2 and the third side A3 is at an angle in the
range of, for example, 7.degree. to 17.degree., or preferably in
the range of 10.degree. to 15.degree., with respect to the
direction perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate 1. The
first side A1 has a length in the range of 0.05 to 0.20 .mu.m, for
example.
[0104] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, let D1 be the thickness (length in
the direction perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate
1) of the main pole 15 at the medium facing surface 30, and D2 be
the distance between the third portion 15L3 and the sixth portion
15T3. Let also D.sub.L1 be the length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 between two
ends of the first portion 15L1 that are opposite to each other in
that direction. Let also D.sub.L2 be the length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 between two
ends of the second portion 15L2 that are opposite to each other in
that direction. Let D.sub.T1 be the length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 between two
ends of the fourth portion 15T1 that are opposite to each other in
that direction. Let also D.sub.T2 be the length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 between two
ends of the fifth portion 15T2 that are opposite to each other in
that direction. For example, D1 falls within the range of 0.05 to
0.2 .mu.m, while D2 falls within the range of 0.4 to 0.8 .mu.m. For
instance, D.sub.L1 is greater than 0 and equal to or smaller than
0.3 .mu.m, while D.sub.L2 falls within the range of 0.15 to 0.3
.mu.m. Furthermore, by way of example, D.sub.T1 is greater than 0
and equal to or smaller than 0.3 .mu.m, while D.sub.T2 falls within
the range of 0.15 to 0.3 .mu.m.
[0105] FIG. 7 shows an example where the distance from the medium
facing surface 30 to the boundary between the second portion 15L2
and the third portion 15L3, and the distance from the medium facing
surface 30 to the boundary between the fifth portion 15T2 and the
sixth portion 15T3, are both equal to the neck height, i.e., the
distance from the medium facing surface 30 to the boundary between
the track width defining portion 15A and the wide portion 15B.
Nevertheless, the distance from the medium facing surface 30 to the
boundary between the second portion 15L2 and the third portion
15L3, and the distance from the medium facing surface 30 to the
boundary between the fifth portion 15T2 and the sixth portion 15T3,
may each be smaller or greater than the neck height.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 2, in the medium facing surface 30, the
distance between the first and second side parts SP1 and SP2 of the
main pole 15 in the track width direction TW decreases with
increasing proximity to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1.
Likewise, in the medium facing surface 30, the distance between the
first and second sidewalls SW1 and SW2 of the side shields 16B and
16C in the track width direction TW decreases with increasing
proximity to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1. In the medium
facing surface 30, the first side part SP1 and the first sidewall
SW1 are substantially parallel to each other, and the second side
part SP2 and the second sidewall SW1 are also substantially
parallel to each other. In the medium facing surface 30, the
distance between the first side part SP1 and the first sidewall SW1
and the distance between the second side part SP2 and the second
sidewall SW2 are equal. These distances will hereinafter be denoted
as G1. G1 falls within the range of 20 to 80 nm, for example. Here,
let G2 be the distance between the bottom end 15L of the main pole
15 and the first shield 16A in the medium facing surface 30. G2 is
greater than G1 and equal to or smaller than three times G1. This
relationship is achieved by forming the first gap layer 17 and the
main pole 15 after the formation of the side shields 16B and 16C
having the sidewalls SW1 and SW2.
[0107] The function and effects of the magnetic head according to
the present embodiment will now be described. The magnetic head
writes data on a recording medium with the write head and reads
data written on the recording medium with the read head. In the
write head, the coil including the first and second portions 10 and
20 produces magnetic fields corresponding to data to be written on
the recording medium. A magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic
field produced by the first portion 10 passes through the first
return path section and the main pole 15. A magnetic flux
corresponding to the magnetic field produced by the second portion
20 passes through the second return path section and the main pole
15. Consequently, the main pole 15 allows the magnetic flux
corresponding to the magnetic field produced by the first portion
10 and the magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic field
produced by the second portion 20 to pass.
[0108] The first and second portions 10 and 20 may be connected in
series or in parallel. In either case, the first and second
portions 10 and 20 are connected such that the magnetic flux
corresponding to the magnetic field produced by the first portion
10 and the magnetic flux corresponding to the magnetic field
produced by the second portion 20 flow in the same direction
through the main pole 15.
[0109] The main pole 15 allows the magnetic fluxes corresponding to
the magnetic fields produced by the coil to pass as mentioned
above, and produces a write magnetic field for writing data on the
recording medium by means of the perpendicular magnetic recording
system.
[0110] The shields 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D capture a disturbance
magnetic field applied to the magnetic head from the outside
thereof. This allows preventing erroneous writing on the recording
medium induced by the disturbance magnetic field intensively
captured into the main pole 15. The shields 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D
also function to capture a magnetic flux that is produced from the
end face of the main pole 15 and that expands in directions other
than the direction perpendicular to the plane of the recording
medium, and to thereby prevent the magnetic flux from reaching the
recording medium.
[0111] Furthermore, the shields 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D and the first
and second return path sections function to allow a magnetic flux
that has been produced from the end face of the main pole 15 and
has magnetized the recording medium to flow back. More
specifically, a part of the magnetic flux that has been produced
from the end face of the main pole 15 and has magnetized the
recording medium flows back to the main pole 15 through the shield
16A and the first return path section. Another part of the magnetic
flux that has been produced from the end face of the main pole 15
and has magnetized the recording medium flows back to the main pole
15 through the shield 16D and the second return path section.
[0112] In the medium facing surface 30, the end faces of the
shields 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are arranged to wrap around the end
face of the main pole 15. The present embodiment thus makes it
possible that, in regions both backward and forward of the end face
of the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium and regions on opposite sides of the end face of
the main pole 15 in the track width direction TW, a magnetic flux
that is produced from the end face of the main pole 15 and expands
in directions other than the direction perpendicular to the plane
of the recording medium can be captured and thereby prevented from
reaching the recording medium. Consequently, the present embodiment
allows preventing the skew-induced adjacent track erase. The first
and second shields 16A and 16D contribute to an increase in the
gradient of the write magnetic field, as well as the prevention of
the skew-induced adjacent track erase. The side shields 16B and 16C
greatly contribute to the prevention of adjacent track erase, in
particular. According to the present embodiment, such functions of
the shields 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D serve to increase the recording
density.
[0113] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the present embodiment is
configured so that in the medium facing surface 30, the distance
between the first and second side parts SP1 and SP2 of the main
pole 15 in the track width direction TW, i.e., the width of the end
face of the main pole 15, decreases with increasing proximity to
the top surface 1a of the substrate 1. According to the present
embodiment, this feature also serves to prevent the skew-induced
adjacent track erase.
[0114] The present embodiment is also configured so that in the
medium facing surface 30, the distance between the first and second
sidewalls SW1 and SW2 of the side shields 16B and 16C in the track
width direction TW decreases with increasing proximity to the top
surface 1a of the substrate 1, as does the distance between the
first and second side parts SP1 and SP2 of the main pole 15. The
present embodiment thus makes it possible that the distance between
the first side part SP1 and the first sidewall SW1 and the distance
between the second side part SP2 and the second sidewall SW2 are
both small and constant in the medium facing surface 30. This
configuration allows the side shields 16B and 16C to effectively
capture the magnetic flux that is produced from the end face of the
main pole 15 and expands to opposite sides in the track width
direction TW. As a result, the present embodiment can enhance the
function of the side shields 16B and 16C in particular, and thereby
prevent the skew-induced adjacent track erase more effectively.
[0115] The shields 16A to 16D cannot capture much magnetic flux if
the shields 16A to 16D are not magnetically connected with any
magnetic layer having a sufficiently large volume enough to
accommodate the magnetic flux captured by the shields 16A to 16D.
In the present embodiment, there are provided the first return path
section (the magnetic layers 31 to 36) which magnetically couples
the first shield 16A and the main pole 15 to each other, and the
second return path section (the yoke layer 40 and the magnetic
layers 41 to 45) which magnetically couples the second shield 16D
and the main pole 15 to each other. Such a configuration allows the
magnetic flux captured by the shields 16A to 16D to flow into the
main pole 15 by way of the first and second return path sections.
In the present embodiment, the first and second return path
sections and the main pole 15, which are magnetic layers large in
volume, are magnetically connected to the shields 16A to 16D. The
present embodiment thus allows the shields 16A to 16D to capture
much magnetic flux, so that the above-described effect of the
shields 16A to 16D can be exerted effectively.
[0116] Furthermore, the present embodiment is provided with the
first shield 16A in addition to the first return path section. In
the main cross section, the magnetic layer 31, which is located
farthest from the main pole 15 among the magnetic layers 31 to 36
constituting the first return path section, is greater than the
first shield 16A in length in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 30. The first portion 10 of the coil passes
through the space S1. According to the present embodiment, such a
structure is more advantageous than a structure where the magnetic
layer 31 also functions as the first shield. That is, the present
embodiment allows the first shield 16A and the main pole 15 to be
in sufficiently close proximity to each other. This enhances the
function of the first shield 16A.
[0117] Now, a description will be made as to the role of the
magnetic layers 34 and 32. First, suppose a case where the magnetic
layers 34 and 32 are not provided and thus the first shield 16A and
the magnetic layer 31 are not magnetically coupled to each other.
In this case, the magnetic flux that has been captured by the first
shield 16A or the side shields 16B and 16C and directed downward
cannot flow toward the magnetic layer 31, and thus returns so as to
proceed upward. This causes the first shield 16A or the side
shields 16B and 16C to produce upwardly and downwardly directed
magnetic fluxes. As a result, part of the magnetic flux captured by
the first shield 16A or the side shields 16B and 16C leaks out of
the medium facing surface 30. This may cause adjacent track erase.
In contrast to this, if the first shield 16A and the magnetic layer
31 are magnetically coupled to each other by the coupling layers 34
and 32, the magnetic flux captured by the side shields 16B and 16C
is divided to flow upward and downward, and the magnetic flux
captured by the first shield 16A is mainly directed downward. This
can prevent the adjacent track erase that may be caused by part of
the magnetic flux captured by the first shield 16A or the side
shields 16B and 16C being leaked out of the medium facing surface
30.
[0118] If the end face of the magnetic layer 32 is exposed in the
medium facing surface 30, the insulating layer 53 would expand due
to heat generated by the first portion 10 of the coil. As a result,
the end face of the magnetic layer 32, i.e., part of the medium
facing surface 30, would protrude. In contrast to this, in the
present embodiment, the insulating layer 54 harder than the
magnetic layer 32 is provided between the magnetic layer 32 and the
medium facing surface 30. The insulating layer 54 exists across a
wider area than does the magnetic layer 32. The insulating layer 54
therefore functions to prevent changes in the position of the
magnetic layer 32 due to the heat generated by the first portion
10. Thus, the present embodiment makes it possible to prevent part
of the medium facing surface 30 from protruding due to the heat
generated by the first portion 10.
[0119] If the first shield 16A is excessively long in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30 in the main cross
section, flux leakage from the main pole 15 to the first shield 16A
increases and the main pole 15 thus becomes unable to direct much
magnetic flux to the medium facing surface 30. It is therefore
necessary that the first shield 16A is not excessively long in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30 in the main
cross section. In the main cross section, if the length of each of
the magnetic layers 34 and 32 in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 30 is equal to or smaller than that of the
first shield 16A, the magnetic layers 34 and 32 cannot direct much
magnetic flux from the first shield 16A to the magnetic layer 31.
In contrast to this, the present embodiment is configured so that
in the main cross section, each of the magnetic layers 34 and 32 is
greater than the first shield 16A and smaller than the magnetic
layer 31 in length in the direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 30. Consequently, the present embodiment allows the
magnetic layers 34 and 32 to direct much magnetic flux from the
first shield 16A to the magnetic layer 31.
[0120] The position of an end of a record bit to be recorded on the
recording medium depends on the position of an end of the end face
of the main pole 15 located in the medium facing surface 30, the
end being located forward along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium. Accordingly, in order to define the position of
the end of the record bit accurately, it is particularly important
for the second shield 16D, of the first and second shields 16A and
16D, to be capable of capturing as much magnetic flux as possible.
In the present embodiment, the second shield 16D is larger in
volume than the first shield 16A and is thus capable of capturing
more magnetic flux than the first shield 16A.
[0121] Additionally, as the frequency of the recording signal is
increased in order to increase the recording density, the magnetic
head is required to be improved in the rate of change in the
direction of the magnetic flux produced from the end face of the
main pole 15. To satisfy this requirement, it is particularly
effective to shorten the length of a magnetic path that passes
through the second shield 16D capturing much magnetic flux and the
main pole 15, i.e., a magnetic path that passes through the second
shield 16D, the second return path section and the main pole 15.
For the reasons to be described below, the present embodiment
allows reducing the length of the magnetic path that passes through
the second shield 16D, the second return path section and the main
pole 15.
[0122] In the present embodiment, the second end E2 of the second
interface S20 between the main pole 15 and the end face of the
second return path section is located closer to the medium facing
surface 30 than is the first end E1 of the first interface S10
between the main pole 15 and the end face of the first return path
section. This configuration allows reducing the distance between
the second shield 16D and the second interface S20. The present
embodiment is configured in particular so that the first coil
elements 10A, 10B, and 10C are aligned in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30, and the first
specific coil element 21A passing between the second shield 16D and
the yoke layer 40 is smaller in number than the first coil elements
10A, 10B and 10C. The coil elements 22A and 23A, which are the
second specific coil elements, are located forward of the coil
element 21A along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium. Such a layout of the first and second coil elements makes
it possible that the second end E2 of the second interface S20 is
located closer to the medium facing surface 30 than is the first
end E1 of the first interface S10 as mentioned above. To reduce the
length of the magnetic path of the second return path section, it
is especially important that the second end E2 of the second
interface S20 is located closer to the medium facing surface
30.
[0123] In the present embodiment, the one or more second coil
elements extending to pass through the second space S2 include at
least one first specific coil element 21A passing between the
second shield 16D and the yoke layer 40. This configuration allows
making the maximum distance between the second return path section
and the main pole 15 in the direction T of travel of the recording
medium smaller than that in the case where the one or more second
coil elements do not include any first specific coil element
passing between the second shield 16D and the yoke layer 40. The
coil elements 21A, 21B, and 21C can be reduced in thickness.
Therefore, the configuration where the coil elements 21A, 21B and
21C are aligned in the direction T of travel of the recording
medium is more advantageous in reducing the length of the magnetic
path of the second return path section, as compared with a
configuration where the coil elements 21A, 21B and 21C are aligned
in a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30.
[0124] As can be seen from the above discussions, the present
embodiment allows reducing the length of the magnetic path of the
second return path section. Consequently, according to the present
embodiment, it is possible to reduce the length of the magnetic
path that passes through the second shield 16D capturing much
magnetic flux and the main pole 15, i.e., the magnetic path that
passes through the second shield 16D, the second return path
section and the main pole 15. This allows improving the rate of
change in the direction of the magnetic flux produced from the end
face of the main pole 15.
[0125] The other effects provided by the present embodiment will
now be described. In the present embodiment, the bottom end 15L of
the main pole 15 includes the first portion 15L1, the second
portion 15L2, and the third portion 15L3 that are contiguously
arranged in order of increasing distance from the medium facing
surface 30. The top surface 15T of the main pole 15 includes the
fourth portion 15T1, the fifth portion 15T2, and the sixth portion
15T3 that are contiguously arranged in order of increasing distance
from the medium facing surface 30. The distance from the top
surface 1a of the substrate 1 to any given point on each of the
first and second portions 15L1 and 15L2 decreases with increasing
distance from the given point to the medium facing surface 30. The
distance from the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 to any given
point on each of the fourth and fifth portions 15T1 and 15T2
increases with increasing distance from the given point to the
medium facing surface 30. Consequently, the present embodiment
allows the main pole 15 to have a small thickness in the medium
facing surface 30. It is thus possible to prevent the skew-induced
adjacent track erase. The present embodiment further allows the
main pole 15 to have a great thickness in the part away from the
medium facing surface 30. This allows the main pole 15 to direct
much magnetic flux to the medium facing surface 30, and
consequently allows improving write characteristics such as
overwrite property.
[0126] For the main pole 15 of the present embodiment, the angles
of inclination .theta..sub.L1 and .theta..sub.T1 of the first and
fourth portions 15L1 and 15T1 can be reduced to thereby suppress
variations in write characteristics associated with changes in
level of the medium facing surface 30. Furthermore, for the main
pole 15, the angles of inclination .theta..sub.L2 and
.theta..sub.T2 of the second and fifth portions 15L2 and 15T2 can
be increased to thereby provide a great distance D2 between the
third portion 15L3 and the sixth portion 15T3 while achieving a
small thickness D1 of the main pole 15 in the medium facing surface
30 shown in FIG. 8. This allows preventing the skew-induced
problems and improving write characteristics. Consequently,
according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the
skew-induced problems and to improve write characteristics while
suppressing variations in write characteristics associated with
changes in level of the medium facing surface 30.
Second Embodiment
[0127] A magnetic head according to a second embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG.
10. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a plurality of first coil
elements of the coil in the magnetic head according to the present
embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a plurality of second
coil elements of the coil in the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment.
[0128] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the first embodiment
in the following respects. In the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment, the coil is wound approximately three turns
around the main pole 15. The coil of the present embodiment has
three line-shaped portions 11, 12 and 13 shown in FIG. 9, instead
of the first portion 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
The coil of the present embodiment further has first to third
layers 21, 22 and 23 shaped as shown in FIG. 9, instead of the
first to third layers 21, 22 and 23 of the first embodiment shown
in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 9, the line-shaped portions 11, 12 and 13
respectively include first coil elements 11A, 12A and 13A that
extend to pass through the first space S1. The first coil elements
11A, 12A and 13A are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 30, in the listed order from the medium
facing surface 30 side.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 10, the first to third layers 21, 22 and 23
of the present embodiment respectively include second coil elements
21A, 22A and 23A that extend to pass through the second space S2.
The coil element 21A passes between the second shield 16D and the
yoke layer 40, in particular. The coil element 22A passes between
the magnetic layers 41 and 42, in particular. The coil element 23A
passes between the magnetic layers 43 and 44, in particular. As in
the first embodiment, the coil element 21A is the first specific
coil element, while the coil elements 22A and 23A are the second
specific coil elements.
[0131] The line-shaped portions 11, 12 and 13 are electrically
connected to the first to third layers 21, 22 and 23 via five
columnar connection layers 80, which penetrate a plurality of
layers interposed therebetween, so as to form a coil that is wound
helically around the main pole 15.
[0132] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the first
embodiment.
Third Embodiment
[0133] A magnetic head according to a third embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11
is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a cross section perpendicular to
the medium facing surface and the top surface of the substrate, or
the main cross section, in particular.
[0134] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the first embodiment
in the following respects. In the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment, each of the magnetic layers 41, 43 and 45 has
an end face located in the medium facing surface 30. FIG. 11 shows
an example where the coil includes the first portion 10 and the
second portion 20 as in the first embodiment. However, the coil of
the present embodiment may be configured to be wound helically
around the main pole 15 as in the second embodiment.
[0135] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the first or second
embodiment.
Fourth Embodiment
[0136] A magnetic head according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12
is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a cross section perpendicular to
the medium facing surface and the top surface of the substrate, or
the main cross section, in particular.
[0137] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the first embodiment
in the following respects. In the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment, each of the magnetic layers 31 and 32 has an
end face located in the medium facing surface 30. The present
embodiment is without the magnetic layers 34 and 35 and the
insulating layer 55 of the first embodiment. The first shield 16A
is disposed on the magnetic layer 32. The magnetic layer 36 is
disposed on the magnetic layer 33. The insulating layer 56 is
disposed on the top surfaces of the first portion 10 of the coil
and the insulating layer 53.
[0138] FIG. 12 shows an example where the coil includes the first
portion 10 and the second portion 20 as in the first embodiment.
However, the coil of the present embodiment may be configured to be
wound helically around the main pole 15 as in the second
embodiment.
[0139] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the first or second
embodiment.
Fifth Embodiment
[0140] A magnetic head according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13
is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a cross section perpendicular to
the medium facing surface and the top surface of the substrate, or
the main cross section, in particular.
[0141] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the fourth embodiment
in the following respects. The magnetic head according to the
present embodiment is without the insulating films 63, 64, 66 and
68 and the insulating layers 65, 67 and 69 of the fourth embodiment
(the first embodiment). In the present embodiment, the first layer
21 of the second portion 20 of the coil is disposed on the second
gap layer 18. The second gap layer 18 of the present embodiment is
made of an insulating material such as alumina. The magnetic head
according to the present embodiment has an insulating layer 71 made
of an insulating material and disposed to cover the first layer 21.
The insulating layer 71 is made of alumina, for example. The top
surfaces of the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40 and the
insulating layer 71 are even with each other.
[0142] In the present embodiment, the second layer 22 of the second
portion 20 is disposed on the insulating layer 71. The magnetic
head according to the present embodiment has an insulating layer 72
made of an insulating material and disposed to cover the second
layer 22. The insulating layer 72 is made of alumina, for example.
The third layer 23 of the second portion 20 is disposed on the
insulating layer 72. The magnetic head further has an insulating
layer 73 made of an insulating material and disposed to cover the
third layer 23 and the insulating layer 72. The insulating layer 73
is made of photoresist, for example.
[0143] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment has a
magnetic layer 46 instead of the magnetic layers 41 to 45 of the
fourth embodiment (the first embodiment). The magnetic layer 46 is
disposed over the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40 and the
insulating layer 73, and connects the second shield 16D and the
yoke layer 40 to each other. The magnetic layer 46 has an end face
located in the medium facing surface 30. The second return path
section of the present embodiment is composed of the yoke layer 40
and the magnetic layer 46. The magnetic layer 46 constitutes a
connection part of the second return path section. The protection
layer 70 is disposed to cover the magnetic layer 46.
[0144] FIG. 13 shows an example where the coil includes the first
portion 10 and the second portion 20 as in the fourth embodiment
(the first embodiment). However, the coil of the present embodiment
may be configured to be wound helically around the main pole 15 as
in the second embodiment.
[0145] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the fourth
embodiment.
Sixth Embodiment
[0146] A magnetic head according to a sixth embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG.
16. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head
according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a cross section
perpendicular to the medium facing surface and the top surface of
the substrate, or the main cross section, in particular. FIG. 15 is
a plan view showing a first layer of a second portion of the coil
in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16
is a plan view showing a second layer of the second portion of the
coil in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment.
[0147] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment has a
second portion 120 instead of the second portion 20 of the coil of
the first embodiment. The second portion 120 includes a first layer
121 and a second layer 122. The second layer 122 is disposed above
the first layer 121.
[0148] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment
further has insulating films 91, 93 and 94 and an insulating layer
92 each made of an insulating material, instead of the insulating
films 63, 64, 66 and 68 of the first embodiment. The magnetic head
according to the present embodiment is without the magnetic layers
43 and 44 and the insulating layer 67 of the first embodiment. The
second return path section of the present embodiment is composed of
the yoke layer 40 and the magnetic layers 41, 42 and 45.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 15, the first layer 121 is wound two turns
around the yoke layer 40. The first layer 121 includes two second
coil elements 121A and 121B passing between the second shield 16D
and the yoke layer 40, in particular, within the second space S2.
The second coil elements 121A and 121B are aligned in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30, in the listed order
from the medium facing surface 30 side. In the present embodiment,
the coil elements 121A and 121B are the first specific coil
elements.
[0150] The insulating film 91 is interposed between the first layer
121 and each of the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40 and the
second gap layer 18. The insulating layer 92 is disposed between
adjacent turns of the first layer 121. The insulating film 91 is
made of alumina, for example. The insulating layer 92 is made of
photoresist, for example. The top surfaces of the first layer 121,
the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40, the insulating film 91
and the insulating layer 92 are even with each other.
[0151] The first layer 121 has a coil connection part 121S
electrically connected to the coil connection part 10E of the first
portion 10, and a coil connection part 121E electrically connected
to the second layer 122. The coil connection part 121S is
electrically connected to the coil connection part 10E via a
not-shown columnar connection layer that penetrates a plurality of
layers interposed between the first layer 121 and the first portion
10.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 16, the second layer 122 is wound
approximately one turn around the magnetic layer 42. The second
layer 122 includes a second coil element 122A passing between the
magnetic layers 41 and 42, in particular, within the second space
S2. The coil element 122A is greater than each of the coil elements
121A and 121B in width in the direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 30. Relative to the coil elements 121A and 121B
which are the first specific coil elements, the coil element 122A
is located forward along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium. Thus, in the present embodiment, the coil element 122A is
the second specific coil element.
[0153] The insulating film 93 is interposed between the second
layer 122 and each of the insulating layer 92 and the magnetic
layers 41 and 42. The insulating film 93 is made of alumina, for
example. The top surfaces of the second layer 122, the magnetic
layers 41 and 42, the insulating film 93 and the insulating layer
65 are even with each other. The second layer 122 has a coil
connection part 122S penetrating the insulating film 93 and
electrically connected to the coil connection part 121E of the
first layer 121.
[0154] The insulating film 94 is disposed to cover the second layer
121. The insulating film 94 is made of alumina, for example. The
magnetic layer 45 is disposed over the magnetic layers 41 and 42
and the insulating film 94, and connects the magnetic layers 41 and
42 to each other.
[0155] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the first
embodiment.
Seventh Embodiment
[0156] A magnetic head according to a seventh embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17
is a plan view showing a plurality of second coil elements of the
coil in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment.
[0157] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the sixth embodiment
in the following respects. In the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment, the coil is wound approximately three turns
around the main pole 15. The coil of the present embodiment has the
three line-shaped portions 11, 12 and 13 of the second embodiment
shown in FIG. 9, instead of the first portion 10 of the sixth
embodiment (the first embodiment) shown in FIG. 4. The coil of the
present embodiment further has first to third layers 211, 212 and
213 shaped as shown in FIG. 17, instead of the first layer 121 and
the second layer 122 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 15 and
FIG. 16.
[0158] The first layer 211 and the second layer 212 are located in
the same plane. The first layer 211 and the second layer 212
respectively include second coil elements 211A and 212A passing
between the second shield 16D and the yoke layer 40, in particular,
within the second space S2. The second coil elements 211A and 212A
are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 30, in the listed order from the medium facing surface 30
side. In the present embodiment, the coil elements 211A and 212A
are the first specific coil elements.
[0159] The third layer 213 is disposed above the first layer 211
and the second layer 212. The third layer 213 includes a second
coil element 213A passing between the magnetic layers 41 and 42, in
particular, within the second space S2. The coil element 213A is
greater than each of the coil elements 211A and 212A in width in
the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30.
Relative to the coil elements 211A and 212A which are the first
specific coil elements, the coil element 213A is located forward
along the direction T of travel of the recording medium. Thus, in
the present embodiment, the coil element 213A is the second
specific coil element.
[0160] The line-shaped portions 11, 12 and 13 are electrically
connected to the first to third layers 211, 212 and 213 via five
columnar connection layers 80 that penetrate a plurality of layers
interposed between them so as to form a coil that is wound
helically around the main pole 15.
[0161] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the sixth
embodiment.
Eighth Embodiment
[0162] A magnetic head according to an eighth embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18
is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a cross section perpendicular to
the medium facing surface and the top surface of the substrate, or
the main cross section, in particular.
[0163] The magnetic head, according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the sixth embodiment
in the following respects. In the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment, each of the magnetic layers 41 and 45 has an
end face located in the medium facing surface 30. FIG. 18 shows an
example where the coil includes the first portion 10 and the second
portion 20 as in the sixth embodiment. However, the coil of the
present embodiment may be configured to be wound helically around
the main pole 15 as in the seventh embodiment.
[0164] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the sixth or seventh
embodiment.
Ninth Embodiment
[0165] A magnetic head according to a ninth embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19
is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 19 shows a cross section perpendicular to
the medium facing surface and the top surface of the substrate, or
the main cross section, in particular.
[0166] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the sixth embodiment
in the following respects. In the magnetic head according to the
present embodiment, each of the magnetic layers 31 and 32 has an
end face located in the medium facing surface 30, as in the fourth
embodiment. The present embodiment is without the magnetic layers
34 and 35 and the insulating layer 55 of the sixth embodiment (the
first embodiment). The first shield 16A is disposed on the magnetic
layer 32. The magnetic layer 36 is disposed on the magnetic layer
33. The insulating layer 56 is disposed on the top surfaces of the
first portion 10 of the coil and the insulating layer 53.
[0167] FIG. 19 shows an example where the coil includes the first
portion 10 and the second portion 120 as in the sixth embodiment.
However, the coil of the present embodiment may be configured to be
wound helically around the main pole 15 as in the seventh
embodiment.
[0168] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the sixth or seventh
embodiment.
Tenth Embodiment
[0169] A magnetic head according to a tenth embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 20 to FIG.
22. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic head
according to the present embodiment. FIG. 20 shows a cross section
perpendicular to the medium facing surface and the top surface of
the substrate, or the main cross section, in particular. FIG. 21 is
a plan view showing a first layer of a second portion of the coil
in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 22
is a plan view showing a second layer of the second portion of the
coil in the magnetic head according to the present embodiment.
[0170] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment is
different from the magnetic head according to the ninth embodiment
in the following respects. The magnetic head according to the
present embodiment has a second portion 220 instead of the second
portion 120 of the coil of the ninth embodiment (the sixth
embodiment). The second portion 220 includes a first layer 221 and
a second layer 222. The second layer 222 is disposed above the
first layer 221.
[0171] The magnetic head according to the present embodiment
further has insulating films 191, 192, 193 and 195 and an
insulating layer 194 each made of an insulating material, instead
of the insulating films 91, 93 and 94 and the insulating layer 92
of the sixth embodiment. In addition, in the magnetic head
according to the present embodiment, each of the magnetic layers 41
and 45 has an end face located in the medium facing surface 30.
[0172] As shown in FIG. 21, the first layer 221 is wound one turn
around the yoke layer 40. The first layer 221 includes a second
coil element 221A passing between the second shield 16D and the
yoke layer 40, in particular, within the second space S2. In the
present embodiment, the coil element 221A is the first specific
coil element.
[0173] The insulating film 191 is interposed between the first
layer 221 and each of the second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40 and
the second gap layer 18. The insulating film 191 is made of
alumina, for example. The top surfaces of the first layer 221, the
second shield 16D, the yoke layer 40 and the insulating film 191
are even with each other. The insulating film 192 is disposed to
cover the first layer 221.
[0174] The first layer 221 has a coil connection part 221S
electrically connected to the coil connection part 10E of the first
portion 10, and a coil connection part 221E electrically connected
to the second layer 222. The coil connection part 221S is
electrically connected to the coil connection part 10E via a
not-shown columnar connection layer that penetrates a plurality of
layers interposed between the first layer 221 and the first portion
10.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 22, the second layer 122 is wound
approximately two turns around the magnetic layer 42. The second
layer 222 includes two second coil elements 222A and 222B passing
between the magnetic layers 41 and 42, in particular, within the
second space S2. The second coil elements 222A and 222B are aligned
in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 30, in
the listed order from the medium facing surface 30 side. The coil
element 221A shown in FIG. 21 is greater than each of the coil
elements 222A and 222B in width in the direction perpendicular to
the medium facing surface 30. Relative to the coil element 221A
which is the first specific coil element, the coil elements 222A
and 222B are located forward along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium. Thus, in the present embodiment, the coil
elements 222A and 222B are the second specific coil elements.
[0176] The insulating film 193 is interposed between the second
layer 222 and each of the insulating film 192 and the magnetic
layers 41 and 42. The insulating layer 194 is disposed between
adjacent turns of the second layer 222. The insulating film 193 is
made of alumina, for example. The insulating layer 194 is made of
photoresist, for example. The top surfaces of the second layer 222,
the magnetic layers 41 and 42, the insulating film 193 and the
insulating layer 194 are even with each other. The second layer 222
has a coil connection part 222S penetrating the insulating film 193
and electrically connected to the coil connection part 221E of the
first layer 221.
[0177] The insulating film 195 is disposed to cover the second
layer 222. The insulating film 195 is made of alumina, for
example.
[0178] FIG. 20 shows an example where the coil includes the first
portion 10 and the second portion 220 as in the ninth embodiment.
However, the coil of the present embodiment may be configured to be
wound helically around the main pole 15 as in the seventh
embodiment.
[0179] The remainder of configuration, function and effects of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the ninth
embodiment.
[0180] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
embodiments, and various modifications may be made thereto. For
example, as far as the requirements of the appended claims are met,
the first and second coil elements and the first and second
specific coil elements can be provided in any number, without being
limited to the examples illustrated in the foregoing
embodiments.
[0181] While the foregoing embodiments has been described with
reference to a magnetic head having a structure where the read head
is formed on the base body and the write head is stacked on the
read head, the read head and the write head may be stacked in the
reverse order.
[0182] It is apparent that the present invention can be carried out
in various forms and modifications in the light of the foregoing
descriptions. Accordingly, within the scope of the following claims
and equivalents thereof, the present invention can be carried out
in forms other than the foregoing most preferred embodiment.
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