U.S. patent application number 13/156784 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recordinghaving a main pole and a shield and specifically structured and located coil elements and magnetic coupling layers.
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 | 20120314323 13/156784 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47292995 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120314323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SASAKI; Yoshitaka ; et
al. |
December 13, 2012 |
MAGNETIC HEAD FOR PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDINGHAVING A MAIN
POLE AND A SHIELD AND SPECIFICALLY STRUCTURED AND LOCATED COIL
ELEMENTS AND MAGNETIC COUPLING LAYERS
Abstract
A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, a gap part, a
write shield, and a return path section. The return path section
includes a yoke part and first and second coupling layers. The
first coupling layer is connected to the write shield. The second
coupling layer magnetically couples the first coupling layer to the
yoke part, and has an end face facing toward a medium facing
surface and located away from the medium facing surface. The coil
includes a first coil element and a plurality of second coil
elements that each extend to pass through a space defined by the
main pole, the gap part, the write shield, and the return path
section. The first coil element is disposed with the first coupling
layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the first
coil element. The second coil elements are disposed with the second
coupling layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the
second coil elements, and with the first coil element interposed
between the main pole and the second coil elements. The second coil
elements are aligned perpendicularly to the medium facing
surface.
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.
Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
CA
HEADWAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Milpitas
|
Family ID: |
47292995 |
Appl. No.: |
13/156784 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/123.05 ;
G9B/5.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/315 20130101;
G11B 5/1278 20130101; G11B 5/3123 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/123.05 ;
G9B/5.05 |
International
Class: |
G11B 5/17 20060101
G11B005/17 |
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 write shield made of a magnetic material and having an
end face located in the medium facing surface; a gap part made of a
nonmagnetic material and disposed between the main pole and the
write shield; a return path section made of a magnetic material and
connecting a part of the main pole away from the medium facing
surface to the write shield; and a substrate having a top surface,
wherein: the coil, the main pole, the write shield, the gap part,
and the return path section are disposed above the top surface of
the substrate; the end face of the write shield includes a first
end face portion that is located forward of the end face of the
main pole along a direction of travel of the recording medium; the
return path section includes a yoke part, a first coupling layer,
and a second coupling layer; the yoke part has a first end face
facing toward the medium facing surface and located away from the
medium facing surface, and a second end face located away from the
medium facing surface and in contact with the main pole; the first
coupling layer is connected to the write shield and has an end face
located in the medium facing surface; the second coupling layer
magnetically couples the first coupling layer to the yoke part, and
has an end face facing toward the medium facing surface and located
away from the medium facing surface; the coil includes a first coil
element and a plurality of second coil elements, each of the first
and second coil elements extending to pass through a space defined
by the main pole, the gap part, the write shield, the first
coupling layer, the second coupling layer, and the yoke part; the
first coil element is disposed with the first coupling layer
interposed between the medium facing surface and the first coil
element; and the second coil elements are disposed with the second
coupling layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the
second coil elements, and with the first coil element interposed
between the main pole and the second coil elements, the second coil
elements being aligned in a direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface.
2. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, wherein: in a cross section that intersects the end
face of the main pole located in the medium facing surface and that
is perpendicular to the medium facing surface and the top surface
of the substrate, the second coupling layer is smaller than the
first coupling layer in length in the direction perpendicular to
the medium facing surface, and is greater than the first coupling
layer in length in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of
the substrate; and in the cross section, each of the second coil
elements is smaller than the first coil element in length in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface, and is
greater than the first coil element in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.
3. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer made of an
inorganic insulating material, the insulating layer including a
portion interposed between the end face of the second coupling
layer and the medium facing surface.
4. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 1, wherein the end face of the write shield further
includes a second, a third, and a fourth end face portion, the
second end face portion being located backward of the end face of
the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording
medium, the third and fourth end face portions being located on
opposite sides of the end face of the main pole in a track width
direction.
5. 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 write shield made of a magnetic material and having an
end face located in the medium facing surface; a gap part made of a
nonmagnetic material and disposed between the main pole and the
write shield; a first return path section and a second return path
section each made of a magnetic material, the first and second
return path sections connecting a part of the main pole away from
the medium facing surface to the write shield; and a substrate
having a top surface, wherein: the coil, the main pole, the write
shield, the gap part, the first return path section, and the second
return path section are disposed above the top surface of the
substrate; the end face of the write shield includes a first end
face portion that is located forward of the end face of the main
pole along a direction of travel of the recording medium; the first
return path section and the second return path section are aligned
along a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the
substrate, with the main pole interposed between the first and
second return path sections; at least one of the first and second
return path sections includes a yoke part, a first coupling layer,
and a second coupling layer; the yoke part has a first end face
facing toward the medium facing surface and located away from the
medium facing surface, and a second end face located away from the
medium facing surface and in contact with the main pole; the first
coupling layer is connected to the write shield and has an end face
located in the medium facing surface; the second coupling layer
magnetically couples the first coupling layer to the yoke part, and
has an end face facing toward the medium facing surface and located
away from the medium facing surface; the coil includes a first coil
element and a plurality of second coil elements, each of the first
and second coil elements extending to pass through a space defined
by the main pole, the gap part, the write shield, the first
coupling layer, the second coupling layer, and the yoke part; the
first coil element is disposed with the first coupling layer
interposed between the medium facing surface and the first coil
element; and the second coil elements are disposed with the second
coupling layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the
second coil elements, and with the first coil element interposed
between the main pole and the second coil elements, the second coil
elements being aligned in a direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface.
6. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 5, wherein: in a cross section that intersects the end
face of the main pole located in the medium facing surface and that
is perpendicular to the medium facing surface and the top surface
of the substrate, the second coupling layer is smaller than the
first coupling layer in length in the direction perpendicular to
the medium facing surface, and is greater than the first coupling
layer in length in the direction perpendicular to the top surface
of the substrate; and in the cross section, each of the second coil
elements is smaller than the first coil element in length in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface, and is
greater than the first coil element in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.
7. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 5, further comprising an insulating layer made of an
inorganic insulating material, the insulating layer including a
portion interposed between the end face of the second coupling
layer and the medium facing surface.
8. The magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording according
to claim 5, wherein the end face of the write shield further
includes a second, a third, and a fourth end face portion, the
second end face portion being located backward of the end face of
the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording
medium, the third and fourth end face portions being located 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 includes a main pole and a shield.
[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 unit having a magnetoresistive element
(hereinafter, also referred to as MR element) for reading and a
write head unit having an induction-type electromagnetic transducer
for writing are stacked on a substrate. The write head unit
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 head unit 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 a write shield 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 a write shield
having an end face that is located in the medium facing surface to
wrap around an end face of the main pole.
[0009] A magnetic head including a write shield is typically
provided with one or more return path sections for connecting the
write shield to a part of the main pole away from the medium facing
surface. The write shield and the one or more return path sections
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 write shield and the one or more return path sections
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
including the write shield allows prevention of the adjacent track
erase and allows a further improvement in recording density.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,340 B2 and U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2005/0128637 A1 describe a magnetic head including,
as the aforementioned one or more return path sections, a return
path section located forward along the direction of travel of the
recording medium (i.e., on the trailing end side) relative to the
main pole, and a return path section located backward along the
direction of travel of the recording medium (i.e., on the leading
end side) relative to the main pole.
[0011] Now, consider a structure in which a magnetic layer that
forms a return path section is present between the medium facing
surface and a coil, and this magnetic layer is exposed over a large
area in the medium facing surface. In such a structure, heat
generated by the coil may cause the magnetic layer to expand, and
this may result in undesirable protrusion of part of the medium
facing surface.
[0012] To obtain a higher recording density, the frequency of a
recording signal is increased. Accordingly, there is a demand for a
magnetic head that can achieve a higher rate of change in the
direction of the magnetic flux produced from the end face of the
main pole. To address this demand, it is effective to reduce the
magnetic path length of the return path section.
[0013] However, no scheme has been devised to prevent undesirable
protrusion of part of the medium facing surface from being caused
by a coil and a magnetic layer that forms a return path section,
and to reduce the magnetic path length of the return path
section.
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 allows
preventing undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing
surface from being caused by a coil and a magnetic layer that forms
a return path section, and allows reducing the magnetic path length
of the return path section.
[0015] A first 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. The main pole 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 write shield made of a magnetic material
and having an end face located in the medium facing surface; a gap
part made of a nonmagnetic material and provided between the main
pole and the write shield; a return path section made of a magnetic
material and connecting a part of the main pole away from the
medium facing surface to the write shield; and a substrate having a
top surface. The coil, the main pole, the write shield, the gap
part, and the return path section are disposed above the top
surface of the substrate. The end face of the write shield includes
a first end face portion that is located forward of the end face of
the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording
medium. The return path section includes a yoke part, a first
coupling layer, and a second coupling layer.
[0016] A second 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. The main pole 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 write shield made of a magnetic material
and having an end face located in the medium facing surface; a gap
part made of a nonmagnetic material and provided between the main
pole and the write shield; a first return path section and a second
return path section each made of a magnetic material, the first and
second return path sections connecting a part of the main pole away
from the medium facing surface to the write shield; and a substrate
having a top surface. The coil, the main pole, the write shield,
the gap part, the first return path section, and the second return
path section are disposed above the top surface of the substrate.
The end face of the write shield includes a first end face portion
that is located forward of the end face of the main pole along the
direction of travel of the recording medium. The first return path
section and the second return path section are aligned along a
direction perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate, with
the main pole interposed between the first and second return path
sections. At least one of the first and second return path sections
includes a yoke part, a first coupling layer, and a second coupling
layer.
[0017] In the first or second magnetic head of the present
invention, the yoke part has a first end face facing toward the
medium facing surface and located away from the medium facing
surface, and a second end face located away from the medium facing
surface and in contact with the main pole. The first coupling layer
is connected to the write shield and has an end face located in the
medium facing surface. The second coupling layer magnetically
couples the first coupling layer to the yoke part, and has an end
face facing toward the medium facing surface and located away from
the medium facing surface.
[0018] In the first or second magnetic head of the present
invention, the coil includes a first coil element and a plurality
of second coil elements, each of the first and second coil elements
extending to pass through a space defined by the main pole, the gap
part, the write shield, the first coupling layer, the second
coupling layer, and the yoke part. The first coil element is
disposed with the first coupling layer interposed between the
medium facing surface and the first coil element. The second coil
elements are disposed with the second coupling layer interposed
between the medium facing surface and the second coil elements, and
with the first coil element interposed between the main pole and
the second coil elements. The second coil elements are aligned in a
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface.
[0019] In the first or second magnetic head of the present
invention, in a cross section that intersects the end face of the
main pole located in the medium facing surface and that is
perpendicular to the medium facing surface and the top surface of
the substrate, the second coupling layer may be smaller than the
first coupling layer in length in the direction perpendicular to
the medium facing surface, and may be greater than the first
coupling layer in length in the direction perpendicular to the top
surface of the substrate. In this case, in the aforementioned cross
section, each of the plurality of second coil elements may be
smaller than the first coil element in length in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface, and may be greater than
the first coil element in length in the direction perpendicular to
the top surface of the substrate.
[0020] The first or second magnetic head of the present invention
may further include an insulating layer made of an inorganic
insulating material, the insulating layer including a portion
interposed between the end face of the second coupling layer and
the medium facing surface.
[0021] In the first or second magnetic head of the present
invention, the end face of the write shield may further include a
second, a third, and a fourth end face portion. The second end face
portion may be located backward of the end face of the main pole
along the direction of travel of the recording medium. The third
and fourth end face portions may be located on opposite sides of
the end face of the main pole in the track width direction.
[0022] In the first or second magnetic head of the present
invention, the end face of the second coupling layer that faces
toward the medium facing surface is located away from the medium
facing surface. This serves to prevent undesirable protrusion of
part of the medium facing surface from being caused by the coil and
a magnetic layer that forms a return path section. In the present
invention, a single first coil element is disposed with the first
coupling layer interposed between the medium facing surface and the
first coil element. A plurality of second coil elements are
disposed with the second coupling layer interposed between the
medium facing surface and the second coil elements, and with the
first coil element interposed between the main pole and the second
coil elements. The second coil elements are aligned in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface. Such a
configuration allows the first coil element to be disposed in a
narrow space between the main pole and the plurality of second coil
elements, while allowing the first coupling layer to be reduced in
length in the direction perpendicular to the top surface of the
substrate and thereby allowing the end face of the first coupling
layer located in the medium facing surface to be reduced in area.
Thus, according to the present invention, the space defined by the
main pole, the gap part, the write shield, the first coupling
layer, the second coupling layer and the yoke part can be
efficiently used to dispose the coil. This makes it possible to
reduce the magnetic path length of the return path section.
Consequently, according to the present invention, it is possible to
prevent undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing surface
from being caused by the coil and a magnetic layer that forms a
return path section, and also reduce the magnetic path length of
the return path section.
[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 an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the medium facing surface of
the magnetic head according to the embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second layer of a first
portion of a coil of the magnetic head according to the embodiment
of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first layer of the first
portion of the coil of the magnetic head according to the
embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a first layer of a second
portion of the coil of the magnetic head according to the
embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a second layer of the second
portion of the coil of the magnetic head according to the
embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing part of a main pole
near the medium facing surface in the magnetic head according to
the embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
in detail with reference to the drawings. First, reference is made
to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 to describe the configuration of a magnetic
head according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a
cross-sectional view of the magnetic head according to the
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 embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second layer of a first portion of
a coil of the magnetic head according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is
a plan view showing a first layer of the first portion of the coil
of the magnetic head according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan
view showing a first layer of a second portion of the coil of the
magnetic head according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view
showing a second layer of the second portion of the coil of the
magnetic head according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective
view showing part of a main pole near the medium facing surface in
the magnetic head according to the embodiment. The arrows with the
symbol TW in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 indicate the track width
direction.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the magnetic head for
perpendicular magnetic recording (hereinafter simply referred to as
the magnetic head) according to the 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 81 made of an insulating material
and disposed on the top surface 1a of the substrate 1; a heater 82
disposed on the insulating layer 81; and an insulating layer 83
made of an insulating material and disposed to cover the insulating
layer 81 and the heater 82. The insulating layers 81 and 83 are
made of alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), for example. The heater 82 will
be described in detail later.
[0033] The magnetic head further includes a read head unit 8
disposed forward along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium (i.e., on the trailing end side) relative to the heater 82.
The read head unit 8 includes: a first read shield layer 3 made of
a magnetic material and disposed on the insulating layer 83; a
first read shield gap film 4 which is an insulating film disposed
to cover the first read shield layer 3; a magnetoresistive (MR)
element 5 serving as a read element disposed on the first read
shield gap film 4; a second read shield gap film 6 which is an
insulating film disposed on the MR element 5; and a second read
shield layer 7 made of a magnetic material and disposed on the
second read shield gap film 6.
[0034] An end of the MR element 5 is located in a medium facing
surface 2 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 layers constituting the GMR
element.
[0035] The magnetic head further includes: a write head unit 9
disposed forward of the read head unit 8 along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium; and an expansion layer 84, a sensor
85, and a nonmagnetic part 86 that are disposed between the read
head unit 8 and the write head unit 9. The nonmagnetic part 86 is
made of a nonmagnetic material. The material of the nonmagnetic
part 86 may be alumina, for example.
[0036] The nonmagnetic part 86 includes nonmagnetic layers 87, 88,
and 89. The nonmagnetic layer 87 is disposed on the second read
shield layer 7. The expansion layer 84 is disposed on the
nonmagnetic layer 87. The nonmagnetic layer 88 is disposed to cover
the expansion layer 84. The sensor 85 is disposed on the
nonmagnetic layer 88. The nonmagnetic layer 89 is disposed to cover
the sensor 85.
[0037] The write head unit 9 includes a coil, a main pole 15, a
write shield 16, and a gap part 17. 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 2. 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 a
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 2 and that is perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 2 and the top surface la of the substrate 1 (this
cross section will hereinafter be referred to as the main cross
section).
[0038] The first portion 10 includes a first layer 11 that is
located backward of the main pole 15 along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium, and a second layer 12 that is
located backward of the first layer 11 along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium. The second portion 20 includes a
first layer 21 that is located forward of the main pole 15 along
the direction T of travel of the recording medium, and a second
layer 22 that is located forward of the first layer 21 along the
direction T of travel of the recording medium.
[0039] The write shield 16 has an end face located in the medium
facing surface 2. The end face of the write shield 16 includes
first to fourth end face portions 16Aa, 16Ba, 16Ca, and 16Da. The
first end face portion 16Aa is located forward of the end face of
the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium. The second end face portion 16Ba is located backward of the
end face of the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium. The third and fourth end face portions 16Ca and
16Da are located on opposite sides of the end face of the main pole
15 in the track width direction TW. In the medium facing surface 2,
the first to fourth end face portions 16Aa, 16Ba, 16Ca, and 16Da
are arranged to wrap around the end face of the main pole 15.
[0040] The write shield 16 is made of a magnetic material. Examples
of materials that can be used for the write shield 16 include
CoFeN, CoNiFe, NiFe, and CoFe.
[0041] The write head unit 9 further includes a first return path
section 30 and a second return path section 40. The first and
second return path sections 30 and 40 are both made of a magnetic
material. Examples of materials that can be used for the first and
second return path sections 30 and 40 include CoFeN, CoNiFe, NiFe,
and CoFe. The first return path section 30 and the second return
path section 40 are aligned along the direction perpendicular to
the top surface 1a of the substrate 1, with the main pole 15
interposed between the first and second return path sections 30 and
40. The first return path section 30 is located backward of the
main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the recording
medium and is in contact with the write shield 16 and the main pole
15, thereby magnetically coupling the write shield 16 and the main
pole 15 to each other. The second return path section 40 is located
forward of the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium and is in contact with the write shield 16 and the
main pole 15, thereby magnetically coupling the write shield 16 and
the main pole 15 to each other. The first return path section 30
includes a yoke part 31, a first coupling layer 36, and a second
coupling layer 37. The yoke part 31 has a first end face 31a facing
toward the medium facing surface 2 and located away from the medium
facing surface 2, and a second end face 31b located away from the
medium facing surface 2 and in contact with the main pole 15. The
first coupling layer 36 is connected to the write shield 16. The
second coupling layer 37 magnetically couples the first coupling
layer 36 to the yoke part 31.
[0042] The second return path section 40 includes a yoke part 41, a
first coupling layer 46, and a second coupling layer 47. The yoke
part 41 has a first end face 41a facing toward the medium facing
surface 2 and located away from the medium facing surface 2, and a
second end face 41b located away from the medium facing surface 2
and in contact with the main pole 15. The first coupling layer 46
is connected to the write shield 16. The second coupling layer 47
magnetically couples the first coupling layer 46 to the yoke part
41.
[0043] The yoke part 31 of the first return path section 30
includes magnetic layers 32 to 35. The magnetic layer 32 is located
on the nonmagnetic layer 89. The magnetic layer 32 has an end face
facing toward the medium facing surface 2 and located away from the
medium facing surface 2. The end face of the magnetic layer 32 also
serves as the first end face 31a of the yoke part 31.
[0044] The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 51
made of an insulating material, disposed on the nonmagnetic layer
89 and surrounding the magnetic layer 32. The top surfaces of the
magnetic layer 32 and the insulating layer 51 are even with each
other. The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 52
made of an insulating material and disposed on part of the top
surfaces of the magnetic layer 32 and the insulating layer 51. The
insulating layers 51 and 52 are made of alumina, for example.
[0045] Both the second coupling layer 37 and the magnetic layer 33
are disposed on the magnetic layer 32. The second coupling layer 37
is located near the medium facing surface 2 and has an end face
37a. The end face 37a faces toward the medium facing surface 2 and
is located at a distance from the medium facing surface 2. The
magnetic layer 33 is located farther from the medium facing surface
2 than is the second coupling layer 37. As shown in FIG. 3, the
second layer 12 of the first portion 10 of the coil is wound
approximately two turns around the magnetic layer 33.
[0046] The magnetic head further includes: an insulating film 53
made of an insulating material and interposed between the second
layer 12 and each of the second coupling layer 37, the magnetic
layer 33 and the insulating layer 52; an insulating layer 54 made
of an insulating material and disposed between the turns of the
second layer 12; and an insulating layer 55 made of an insulating
material and disposed around the second layer 12 and the second
coupling layer 37. The top surfaces of the second layer 12, the
second coupling layer 37, the magnetic layer 33, the insulating
film 53 and the insulating layers 54 and 55 are even with each
other. The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 56
made of an insulating material and disposed to cover the second
layer 12 and the insulating layer 54. The insulating film 53 and
the insulating layer 56 are made of alumina, for example. The
insulating layer 54 is made of photoresist, for example. In this
embodiment, the insulating layer 55 is particularly made of an
inorganic insulating material that has a smaller coefficient of
linear thermal expansion and a higher Vickers hardness than those
of the magnetic material used to form the second coupling layer 37.
Alumina is an example of such an inorganic insulating material.
[0047] The first coupling layer 36 lies over the second coupling
layer 37 and the insulating layer 55, and has an end face 36a
located in the medium facing surface 2. The magnetic layer 34 is
located on the magnetic layer 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the first
layer 11 of the first portion 10 of the coil is wound one turn
around the magnetic layer 34.
[0048] The magnetic head further includes: an insulating film 57
made of an insulating material and interposed between the first
layer 11 and each of the first coupling layer 36, the magnetic
layer 34 and the insulating layer 56; and a not-shown insulating
layer made of an insulating material and disposed around the first
layer 11 and the first coupling layer 36. The insulating film 53
and the not-shown insulating layer are made of alumina, for
example. The top surfaces of the first layer 11, the first coupling
layer 36, the magnetic layer 34, the insulating film 57, and the
not-shown insulating layer are even with each other.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the write shield 16 includes a first
shield 16A, a second shield 16B, and two side shields 16C and 16D.
The two side shields 16C and 16D are located on opposite sides of
the main pole 15 in the track width direction TW. The first shield
16A is located forward of the main pole 15 along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium. The second shield 16B is located
backward of the main pole 15 along the direction T of travel of the
recording medium. The side shields 16C and 16D magnetically couple
the first shield 16A and the second shield 16B to each other.
[0050] The first shield 16A has the first end face portion 16Aa.
The second shield 16B has the second end face portion 16Ba. The
side shield 16C has the third end face portion 16Ca. The side
shield 16D has the fourth end face portion 16Da.
[0051] The second shield 16B is disposed on the first coupling
layer 36. The magnetic layer 35 is disposed on the magnetic layer
34. The magnetic layer 35 has a top surface that is in contact with
the main pole 15. The top surface of the magnetic layer 35 also
serves as the second end face 31b of the yoke part 31.
[0052] The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 58
made of an insulating material. The insulating layer 58 is disposed
over part of the top surfaces of the first layer 11, the first
coupling layer 36 and the not-shown insulating layer and surrounds
the second shield 16B and the magnetic layer 35. The insulating
layer 58 is made of alumina, for example.
[0053] 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 16C has a first sidewall that is
opposed to the first side part SP1 of the main pole 15. The side
shield 16D has a second sidewall that is opposed to the second side
part SP2 of the main pole 15.
[0054] The gap part 17 is made of a nonmagnetic material and
disposed between the main pole 15 and the write shield 16. The gap
part 17 includes a first gap layer 18 and a second gap layer 19.
The first gap layer 18 is disposed between the main pole 15 and the
second shield 16B and between the main pole 15 and the side shields
16C and 16D. The second gap layer 19 is disposed between the main
pole 15 and the first shield 16A.
[0055] The side shields 16C and 16D are disposed on the second
shield 16B and in contact with the top surface of the second shield
16B. The first gap layer 18 is arranged to extend along the
sidewalls of the side shields 16C and 16D, the top surface of the
second shield 16B, and the top surface of the insulating layer 58.
The first gap layer 18 is made of a nonmagnetic material. The
nonmagnetic material used to form the first gap layer 18 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 18. Ru is an example of nonmagnetic metal materials that
can be used to form the first gap layer 18. The first gap layer 18
has an opening for exposing the top surface of the magnetic layer
35.
[0056] The main pole 15 is disposed over the second shield 16B and
the insulating layer 58, with the first gap layer 18 interposed
between the main pole 15 and the top surfaces of the second shield
16B and the insulating layer 58. As shown in FIG. 2, the first gap
layer 18 is interposed also between the main pole 15 and the side
shields 16C and 16D.
[0057] The bottom end 15L of the main pole 15 is in contact with
the top surface of the magnetic layer 35, i.e., the second end face
31b of the yoke part 31, at a position away from the medium facing
surface 2. 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. A detailed description will be given later
as to the shape of the main pole 15.
[0058] The magnetic head further includes a not-shown nonmagnetic
layer made of a nonmagnetic material and disposed around the main
pole 15, the second shield 16B and the side shields 16C and 16D. In
this embodiment, the not-shown nonmagnetic layer is made of a
nonmagnetic insulating material such as alumina, in particular.
[0059] 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 2; 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.
[0060] The second gap layer 19 is disposed to cover the main pole
15, the nonmagnetic metal layer 61, and the insulating layer 62.
The second gap layer 19 is made of a nonmagnetic material. Examples
of materials that can be used for the second gap layer 19 include
nonmagnetic insulating materials such as alumina, and nonmagnetic
conductive materials such as Ru, NiCu, Ta, W, NiB, and NiP.
[0061] The first shield 16A is disposed over the side shields 16C
and 16D and the second gap layer 19, and is in contact with the top
surfaces of the side shields 16C and 16D and the second gap layer
19. In the medium facing surface 2, part of the end face of the
first shield 16A 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 19. The thickness of the second
gap layer 19 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 19, and the
side defines the track width.
[0062] The yoke part 41 of the second return path section 40
includes magnetic layers 42 to 45. The magnetic layer 45 is located
on the main pole 15 at a position away from the medium facing
surface 2. The magnetic layer 45 has a bottom surface that is in
contact with the top surface 15T of the main pole 15. The bottom
surface of the magnetic layer 45 also serves as the second end face
41b of the yoke part 41.
[0063] The magnetic head further includes a nonmagnetic layer 63
disposed around the first shield 16A and the magnetic layer 45. The
nonmagnetic layer 63 is made of an inorganic insulating material,
for example. Examples of the inorganic insulating material include
alumina and silicon oxide. The top surfaces of the first shield
16A, the magnetic layer 45 and the nonmagnetic layer 63 are even
with each other.
[0064] The first coupling layer 46 lies over the first shield 16A
and the nonmagnetic layer 63, and has an end face 46a located in
the medium facing surface 2. The magnetic layer 44 is located on
the magnetic layer 45. As shown in FIG. 5, the first layer 21 of
the second portion 20 of the coil is wound one turn around the
magnetic layer 44.
[0065] The magnetic head further includes: an insulating film 64
made of an insulating material and interposed between the first
layer 21 and each of the first coupling layer 46, the magnetic
layers 44 and 45 and the nonmagnetic layer 63; and a not-shown
insulating layer made of an insulating material and disposed around
the first layer 21 and the first coupling layer 46. The top
surfaces of the first layer 21, the first coupling layer 46, the
magnetic layer 44, the insulating film 64, and the not-shown
insulating layer are even with each other. The magnetic head
further includes an insulating layer 65 made of an insulating
material and disposed to cover the first layer 21. The insulating
film 64, the insulating layer 65, and the not-shown insulating
layer are made of alumina, for example.
[0066] The second coupling layer 47 lies over the first coupling
layer 46, and has an end face 47a. The end face 47a faces toward
the medium facing surface 2 and is located away from the medium
facing surface 2. The magnetic layer 43 is located on the magnetic
layer 44. As shown in FIG. 6, the second layer 22 of the second
portion 20 of the coil is wound approximately two turns around the
magnetic layer 43.
[0067] The magnetic head further includes: an insulating film 66
made of an insulating material and interposed between the second
layer 22 and each of the second coupling layer 47, the magnetic
layer 43 and the insulating layer 65; an insulating layer 67 made
of an insulating material and disposed between the turns of the
second layer 22; and an insulating layer 68 made of an insulating
material and disposed around the second layer 22 and the second
coupling layer 47. The top surfaces of the second layer 22, the
second coupling layer 47, the magnetic layer 43, the insulating
film 66 and the insulating layers 67 and 68 are even with each
other. The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 69
made of an insulating material and disposed to cover the second
layer 22 and the insulating layer 67. The insulating film 66 and
the insulating layer 69 are made of alumina, for example. The
insulating layer 67 is made of photoresist, for example. In this
embodiment, the insulating layer 68 is particularly made of an
inorganic insulating material that has a smaller coefficient of
linear thermal expansion and a higher Vickers hardness than those
of the magnetic material used to form the second coupling layer 47.
Alumina is an example of such an inorganic insulating material.
[0068] The magnetic layer 42 is disposed over the second coupling
layer 47, the magnetic layer 43 and the insulating layer 69, and
connects the second coupling layer 47 and the magnetic layer 43 to
each other. The magnetic layer 42 has an end face facing toward the
medium facing surface 2 and located away from the medium facing
surface 2. The end face of the magnetic layer 42 also serves as the
first end face 41a of the yoke part 41.
[0069] The magnetic head further includes an insulating layer 70
made of an insulating material and disposed around the magnetic
layer 42. The insulating layer 70 is made of alumina, for example.
The top surfaces of the magnetic layer 42 and the insulating layer
70 are even with each other.
[0070] The magnetic head further includes a protection layer 71
made of a nonmagnetic material and disposed to cover the write head
unit 9. The protection layer 71 is made of, for example, an
inorganic insulating material such as alumina.
[0071] As has been described, the magnetic head according to this
embodiment includes the medium facing surface 2, the read head unit
8, and the write head unit 9. The medium facing surface 2 faces the
recording medium. The read head unit 8 and the write head unit 9
are stacked on the substrate 1. Relative to the write head unit 9,
the read head unit 8 is disposed backward along the direction T of
travel of the recording medium (i.e., disposed on the leading end
side).
[0072] The read head unit 8 includes: the MR element 5 serving as a
read element; the first read shield layer 3 and the second read
shield layer 7 for shielding the MR element 5, with their
respective portions near the medium facing surface 2 opposed to
each other with the MR element 5 therebetween; the first read
shield gap film 4 disposed between the MR element 5 and the first
read shield layer 3; and the second read shield gap film 6 disposed
between the MR element 5 and the second read shield layer 7.
[0073] The write head unit 9 includes the coil including the first
and second portions 10 and 20, the main pole 15, the write shield
16, the gap part 17, and the first and second return path sections
30 and 40. The write shield 16 includes the first shield 16A, the
second shield 16B, and the two side shields 16C and 16D. The gap
part 17 includes the first gap layer 18 and the second gap layer
19. The first return path section 30 and the second return path
section 40 are aligned along the direction perpendicular to the top
surface 1a of the substrate 1, with the main pole 15 interposed
between the first and second return path sections 30 and 40.
[0074] The first return path section 30 is made of a magnetic
material and is located backward of the main pole 15 along the
direction T of travel of the recording medium. The first return
path section 30 includes the yoke part 31, the first coupling layer
36, and the second coupling layer 37. The yoke part 31 includes the
magnetic layers 32 to 35. The yoke part 31 has the second end face
31b that is located away from the medium facing surface 2 and in
contact with the main pole 15.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 1, the first return path section 30
connects the write shield 16 and the main pole 15 to each other so
that a first space S1 is defined by the main pole 15, the gap part
17 (the gap layer 18), the write shield 16, the first coupling
layer 36, the second coupling layer 37 and the yoke part 31 (the
magnetic layers 32 to 35), and thereby magnetically couples the
write shield 16 and the main pole 15 to each other.
[0076] The first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 magnetically
couple the second shield 16B of the write shield 16 to the yoke
part 31 (the magnetic layer 32). In this embodiment, the first
coupling layer 36 is connected to the second shield 16B. The second
coupling layer 37 magnetically couples the first coupling layer 36
to the yoke part 31 (the magnetic layer 32). The first coupling
layer 36 has the end face 36a that is located in the medium facing
surface 2 at a position backward of the second end face portion
16Ba of the second shield 16B along the direction T of travel of
the recording medium. In the main cross section, the magnetic layer
32 is greater than the second shield 16B in length in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2. In the main cross
section, each of the first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 is
greater than the second shield 16B and smaller than the magnetic
layer 32 in length in the direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 2. In the main cross section, the second coupling
layer 37 is smaller than the first coupling layer 36 in length in
the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2, and is
greater than the first coupling layer 36 in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1.
[0077] Neither the second coupling layer 37 nor the magnetic layer
32 is exposed in the medium facing surface 2. The second coupling
layer 37 has the end face 37a facing toward the medium facing
surface 2 and located away from the medium facing surface 2. The
magnetic layer 32 has an end face (the first end face 31a of the
yoke part 31) facing toward the medium facing surface 2 and located
away from the medium facing surface 2. Part of the insulating layer
55 is interposed between the end face 37a of the second coupling
layer 37 and the medium facing surface 2. Part of the insulating
layer 51 is interposed between the aforementioned end face of the
magnetic layer 32 (the first end face 31a of the yoke part 31) and
the medium facing surface 2.
[0078] The second return path section 40 is made of a magnetic
material and is located forward of the main pole 15 along the
direction T of travel of the recording medium. The second return
path section 40 includes the yoke part 41, the first coupling layer
46, and the second coupling layer 47. The yoke part 41 includes the
magnetic layers 42 to 45. The yoke part 41 has the second end face
41b that is located away from the medium facing surface 2 and in
contact with the main pole 15.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 1, the second return path section 40
connects the write shield 16 and the main pole 15 to each other so
that a second space S2 is defined by the main pole 15, the gap part
17 (the gap layer 19), the write shield 16, the first coupling
layer 46, the second coupling layer 47 and the yoke part 41 (the
magnetic layers 42 to 45), and thereby magnetically couples the
write shield 16 and the main pole 15 to each other.
[0080] The first and second coupling layers 46 and 47 magnetically
couple the first shield 16A of the write shield 16 to the yoke part
41 (the magnetic layer 42). The first coupling layer 46 is
connected to the first shield 16A. The second coupling layer 47
magnetically couples the first coupling layer 46 to the yoke part
41 (the magnetic layer 42). The first coupling layer 46 has the end
face 46a that is located in the medium facing surface 2 at a
position forward of the first end face portion 16Aa of the first
shield 16A along the direction T of travel of the recording medium.
In the main cross section, the magnetic layer 42 is greater than
the first shield 16A in length in the direction perpendicular to
the medium facing surface 2. In the main cross section, each of the
first and second coupling layers 46 and 47 is greater than the
first shield 16A and smaller than the magnetic layer 42 in length
in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2. In
the main cross section, the second coupling layer 47 is smaller
than the first coupling layer 46 in length in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2, and is greater than
the first coupling layer 46 in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1.
[0081] Neither the second coupling layer 47 nor the magnetic layer
42 is exposed in the medium facing surface 2. The second coupling
layer 47 has the end face 47a facing toward the medium facing
surface 2 and located away from the medium facing surface 2. The
magnetic layer 42 has an end face (the first end face 41a of the
yoke part 41) facing toward the medium facing surface 2 and located
away from the medium facing surface 2. Part of the insulating layer
68 is interposed between the end face 47a of the second coupling
layer 47 and the medium facing surface 2. Part of the insulating
layer 70 is interposed between the aforementioned end face of the
magnetic layer 42 (the first end face 41a of the yoke part 41) and
the medium facing surface 2.
[0082] The first and second portions 10 and 20 of the coil will now
be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6. FIG. 3
is a plan view showing the second layer 12 of the first portion 10.
The second layer 12 is wound around the magnetic layer 33 which
constitutes part of the first return path section 30. The second
layer 12 includes two or more second coil elements that extend to
pass between the second coupling layer 37 and the magnetic layer
33, in particular, within the first space S1. Note that the coil
elements refer to part of the coil winding. In this embodiment, in
particular, the second layer 12 is wound approximately two turns
around the magnetic layer 33, and includes two second coil elements
12A and 12B that extend to pass between the second coupling layer
37 and the magnetic layer 33, in particular, within the first space
S1. The second coil elements 12A and 12B are aligned in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2, in this
order as viewed from the medium facing surface 2. The second layer
12 has a coil connection part 12E electrically connected to the
first layer 11.
[0083] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the first layer 11 of the
first portion 10. The first layer 11 is wound one turn around the
magnetic layer 34 which constitutes part of the first return path
section 30. The first layer 11 includes a single first coil element
11A that extends to pass between the first coupling layer 36 and
the magnetic layer 34, in particular, within the first space S1.
The first layer 11 has a coil connection part 11S penetrating the
insulating layer 56 and the insulating film 57 and electrically
connected to the coil connection part 12E of the second layer 12,
and a coil connection part 11E electrically connected to the second
portion 20.
[0084] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the first layer 21 of the
second portion 20. The first layer 21 is wound one turn around the
magnetic layer 44 which constitutes part of the second return path
section 40. The first layer 21 includes a single first coil element
21A that extends to pass between the first coupling layer 46 and
the magnetic layer 44, in particular, within the second space S2.
The first layer 21 has a coil connection part 21S electrically
connected to the coil connection part 11E of the first layer 11 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 11E via a
connection layer (not shown) of columnar shape that penetrates a
plurality of layers interposed between the first layer 21 and the
first layer 11. The connection layer is made of a conductive
material such as copper.
[0085] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the second layer 22 of the
second portion 20. The second layer 22 is wound around the magnetic
layer 43 which constitutes part of the second return path section
40. The second layer 22 includes two or more second coil elements
that extend to pass between the second coupling layer 47 and the
magnetic layer 43, in particular, within the second space S2. In
this embodiment, in particular, the second layer 22 is wound
approximately two turns around the magnetic layer 43, and includes
two second coil elements 22A and 22B that extend to pass between
the second coupling layer 47 and the magnetic layer 43, in
particular, within the second space S2. The second coil elements
22A and 22B are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2, in this order as viewed from the medium
facing surface 2. The second layer 22 has a coil connection part
22S penetrating the insulating layer 65 and the insulating film 66
and electrically connected to the coil connection part 21E of the
first layer 21. In the example shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the first
portion 10 and the second portion 20 are connected in series.
[0086] In the first portion 10, the first coil element 11A is
disposed with the first coupling layer 36 interposed between the
medium facing surface 2 and the first coil element 11A. The two
second coil elements 12A and 12B are disposed with the second
coupling layer 37 interposed between the medium facing surface 2
and the two second coil elements 12A and 12B, and with the first
coil element 11A interposed between the main pole 15 and the two
second coil elements 12A and 12B. The two second coil elements 12A
and 12B are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 2. In the main cross section, each of the two second
coil elements 12A and 12B is smaller than the first coil element
11A in length in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 2, and is greater than the first coil element 11A in length
in the direction perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the
substrate 1.
[0087] In the second portion 20, the first coil element 21A is
disposed with the first coupling layer 46 interposed between the
medium facing surface 2 and the first coil element 21A. The two
second coil elements 22A and 22B are disposed with the second
coupling layer 47 interposed between the medium facing surface 2
and the two second coil elements 22A and 22B, and with the first
coil element 21A interposed between the main pole 15 and the two
second coil elements 22A and 22B. The two second coil elements 22A
and 22B are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the medium
facing surface 2. In the main cross section, each of the two second
coil elements 22A and 22B is smaller than the first coil element
21A in length in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 2, and is greater than the first coil element 21A in length
in the direction perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the
substrate 1.
[0088] The heater 82, the expansion layer 84, and the sensor 85
will be described in detail below. The expansion layer 84 and the
sensor 85 are disposed between the read head unit 8 and the write
head unit 9. Relative to the expansion layer 84 and the sensor 85,
the heater 82 is located backward along the direction T of travel
of the recording medium (i.e., located on the leading end side).
The nonmagnetic part 86 is disposed around the expansion layer 84
and the sensor 85.
[0089] First, a description will be given of the heater 82 and the
expansion layer 84. The heater 82 and the expansion layer 84 are
provided to allow part of the medium facing surface 2 to protrude
in order to reduce the distance from the read head unit 8 and the
write head unit 9 to the surface of the recording medium. The
heater 82 generates heat for causing part of the medium facing
surface 2 to protrude. The expansion layer 84 expands with the heat
generated by the heater 82, and thereby makes part of the medium
facing surface 2 protrude.
[0090] The heater 82 is made of a conductive material, such as
metal, which generates heat by being energized. For example, the
heater 82 is formed of a film of NiCr or a layered film consisting
of Ta, NiCu, and Ta films.
[0091] The expansion layer 84 is made of a material that has a
higher thermal conductivity and a higher coefficient of linear
thermal expansion than those of the material of the nonmagnetic
part 86. If the nonmagnetic part 86 is made of alumina, the
expansion layer 84 needs to be made of a material that has a higher
thermal conductivity and a higher coefficient of linear thermal
expansion than those of alumina. At 25.degree. C., alumina has a
thermal conductivity of around 30 W/mK. In the range of 25.degree.
C. to 100.degree. C., alumina has a coefficient of linear thermal
expansion of around 6.5.times.10.sup.-6/.degree. C. The expansion
layer 84 may be made of a metal material. The metal material to
form the expansion layer 84 may be either a nonmagnetic metal
material or a magnetic metal material. Examples of nonmagnetic
metal materials that can be used to form the expansion layer 84
include Al, Cu, and Au. Examples of magnetic metal materials that
can be used to form the expansion layer 84 include CoFeN, CoNiFe,
NiFe, and CoFe.
[0092] A description will now be given of a method for reducing the
distance from the read head unit 8 and the write head unit 9 to the
surface of the recording medium by using the heater 82 and the
expansion layer 84. An electric current of predetermined magnitude
is passed through the heater 82. This causes the heater 82 to
generate heat for causing part of the medium facing surface 2 to
protrude.
[0093] The components of the magnetic head expand with the heat
generated by the heater 82. The expansion layer 84 is made of a
material that has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the
material of the nonmagnetic part 86 surrounding the expansion layer
84, in particular. The heat generated by the heater 82 is therefore
distributed within the expansion layer 84 more rapidly and
uniformly than in the nonmagnetic part 86. Furthermore, the
material of the expansion layer 84 has a coefficient of linear
thermal expansion higher than that of the material of the
nonmagnetic part 86. With the heat generated by the heater 82, the
expansion layer 84 therefore expands more rapidly and greatly than
the nonmagnetic part 86 does, thereby causing part of the medium
facing surface 2 to protrude. This reduces the distance from the
read head unit 8 and the write head unit 9 to the surface of the
recording medium. The amount of protrusion of the part of the
medium facing surface 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the magnitude
of the electric current passed through the heater 82.
[0094] Next, the sensor 85 will be described. The sensor 85 is
intended to detect contact of part of the medium facing surface 2
with the recording medium. The sensor 85 is a resistor that varies
in resistance with a change in its own temperature when part of the
medium facing surface 2 makes contact with the recording medium.
The sensor 85 is made of a metal material or a semiconductor
material that varies in resistance at a considerable rate with
respect to a change in temperature, i.e., that has a considerable
temperature coefficient of resistance. Specific examples of the
material of the sensor 85 include NiFe, W, Cu, Ni, and Pt.
[0095] When part of the medium facing surface 2 comes into contact
with the recording medium, the frictional heat resulting from the
contact raises the temperature of the medium facing surface 2 at
and in the vicinity of the part in contact with the recording
medium. Such a rise in temperature also raises the temperature of
the sensor 85 itself. As a result, the sensor 85 varies in
resistance. The resistance of the sensor 85 can thus be measured to
detect the contact of part of the medium facing surface 2 with the
recording medium.
[0096] The shape of the main pole 15 will now be described in
detail with reference to FIG. 7. 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 2, 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, 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.
[0097] 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
2. 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 2, then becoming constant. Here, the length of the track
width defining portion 15A in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2 will be referred to as neck height. The
neck height falls within the range of 0 to 0.3 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 2.
[0098] 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 2. The first portion 15L1 has an end located in the medium
facing surface 2. 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 2. 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 2. The fourth portion 15T1 has an end located
in the medium facing surface 2.
[0099] 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 2. The angle of inclination of the second
portion 15L2 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2 is greater than the angle of inclination of
the first portion 15L1 with respect to the direction perpendicular
to the medium facing surface 2. The second shield 16B has a top
surface that is opposed to the first and second portions 15L1 and
15L2 with the gap part 17 (the first gap layer 18) interposed
therebetween. The distance from the top surface 1a of the substrate
1 to any given point on the top surface of the second shield 16B
decreases with increasing distance from the given point to the
medium facing surface 2.
[0100] 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 2. The angle of inclination of the fifth
portion 15T2 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2 is greater than the angle of inclination of
the fourth portion 15T1 with respect to the direction perpendicular
to the medium facing surface 2. The sixth portion 15T3 extends in
the direction substantially perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 2. The first shield 16A has a bottom surface that is
opposed to the fourth and fifth portions 15T1 and 15T2 with the gap
part 17 (the second gap layer 19) interposed therebetween. The
distance from the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 to any given
point on the bottom surface of the first shield 16A increases with
increasing distance from the given point to the medium facing
surface 2.
[0101] Both the angle of inclination of the first portion 15L1 and
the angle of inclination of the fourth portion 15T1 preferably fall
within the range of 15.degree. to 45.degree.. Both the angle of
inclination of the second portion 15L2 and the angle of inclination
of the fifth portion 15T2 preferably fall within the range of
45.degree. to 85.degree..
[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, the end face of the main pole 15 located
in the medium facing surface 2 has a first side A1 adjacent to the
second gap layer 19, 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 2
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.
[0103] 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 2 falls within the range of 0.05 to 0.2
.mu.m, for example. The distance between the third portion 15L3 and
the sixth portion 15T3 falls within the range of 0.4 to 0.8 .mu.m,
for example.
[0104] FIG. 7 shows an example where the distance from the medium
facing surface 2 to the boundary between the second portion 15L2
and the third portion 15L3, and the distance from the medium facing
surface 2 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 2 to the boundary between
the track width defining portion 15A and the wide portion 15B.
Nevertheless, the distance from the medium facing surface 2 to the
boundary between the second portion 15L2 and the third portion
15L3, and the distance from the medium facing surface 2 to the
boundary between the fifth portion 15T2 and the sixth portion 15T3,
may each be smaller or greater than the neck height.
[0105] The function and effects of the magnetic head according to
the embodiment will now be described. In the magnetic head, the
write head unit 9 writes data on the recording medium, and the read
head unit 8 reads data written on the recording medium. In the
write head unit 9, 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 30 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 40 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.
[0106] 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.
[0107] 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.
[0108] The write shield 16 captures 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 write shield 16 also functions 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.
[0109] The write shield 16 and the first and second return path
sections 30 and 40 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 write shield 16 and the first return path
section 30. 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
write shield 16 and the second return path section 40.
[0110] The write shield 16 includes the first shield 16A, the
second shield 16B, and the two side shields 16C and 16D. This
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 embodiment allows preventing the skew-induced
adjacent track erase. The first shield 16A and the second shield
16B 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 16C and 16D greatly contribute to the
prevention of adjacent track erase, in particular. According to the
embodiment, such functions of the write shield 16 serve to increase
the recording density.
[0111] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment is
configured so that in the medium facing surface 2, 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 embodiment,
this feature also serves to prevent the skew-induced adjacent track
erase.
[0112] The embodiment is also configured so that in the medium
facing surface 2, the distance between the first and second
sidewalls of the side shields 16C and 16D 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 embodiment
thus makes it possible that the distance between the first side
part SP1 and the first sidewall and the distance between the second
side part SP2 and the second sidewall are both small and constant
in the medium facing surface 2. This configuration allows the side
shields 16C and 16D 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
embodiment can enhance the function of the side shields 16C and 16D
in particular, and thereby prevent the skew-induced adjacent track
erase more effectively.
[0113] The write shield 16 cannot capture much magnetic flux if the
write shield 16 is not magnetically connected with any magnetic
layer having a sufficiently large volume enough to accommodate the
magnetic flux captured by the write shield 16. In this embodiment,
there are provided the first return path section 30 (the yoke part
31, the first coupling layer 36, and the second coupling layer 37)
which magnetically couples the second shield 16B of the write
shield 16 and the main pole 15 to each other, and the second return
path section 40 (the yoke part 41, the first coupling layer 46, and
the second coupling layer 47) which magnetically couples the first
shield 16A of the write shield 16 and the main pole 15 to each
other. Such a configuration allows the magnetic flux captured by
the write shield 16 to flow into the main pole 15 by way of the
first and second return path sections 30 and 40. In this
embodiment, the first and second return path sections 30 and 40 and
the main pole 15, which are magnetic layers large in volume, are
magnetically connected to the write shield 16. This allows the
write shield 16 to capture much magnetic flux, so that the
above-described effect of the write shield 16 can be exerted
effectively.
[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second shield 16B is
provided in addition to the first return path section 30. In the
main cross section, the magnetic layer 32, which is located
farthest from the main pole 15 among the magnetic layers that
constitute the first return path section 30, is greater than the
second shield 16B in length in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2. The first portion 10 of the coil passes
through the space S1. Such a structure is more advantageous than a
structure where the magnetic layer 32 also serves as the second
shield. More specifically, according to this embodiment, it is
possible to bring the second shield 16B and the main pole 15 into
sufficiently close proximity to each other. This enhances the
function of the second shield 16B.
[0115] Now, a description will be made as to the role of the first
and second coupling layers 36 and 37. First, suppose a case where
there are not provided the first and second coupling layers 36 and
37 so that the second shield 16B and the yoke part 31 are not
magnetically coupled to each other. In this case, the magnetic flux
that has been captured by the second shield 16B or the side shields
16C and 16D and directed downward cannot flow toward the yoke part
31 (the magnetic layer 32), and thus returns so as to proceed
upward. This causes the second shield 16B or the side shields 16C
and 16D to produce upwardly and downwardly directed magnetic
fluxes. As a result, part of the magnetic flux captured by the
second shield 16B or the side shields 16C and 16D leaks out of the
medium facing surface 2. This may cause adjacent track erase. In
contrast to this, if the second shield 16B and the yoke part 31
(the magnetic layer 32) are magnetically coupled to each other by
the first and second coupling layers 36 and 37, the magnetic flux
captured by the side shields 16C and 16D is divided into an upward
flux and a downward flux, and the magnetic flux captured by the
second shield 16B flows mainly downward. This can prevent the
adjacent track erase that may be caused by part of the magnetic
flux captured by the second shield 16B or the side shields 16C and
16D being leaked out of the medium facing surface 2.
[0116] The above description relating to the first and second
coupling layers 36 and 37 also applies to the first and second
coupling layers 46 and 47. More specifically, if the first shield
16A and the yoke part 41 (the magnetic layer 42) are magnetically
coupled to each other by the first and second coupling layers 46
and 47, the magnetic flux captured by the side shields 16C and 16D
is divided into an upward flux and a downward flux, and the
magnetic flux captured by the first shield 16A flows mainly upward.
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 16C and 16D being leaked out of the medium facing
surface 2.
[0117] If the second shield 16B is excessively long in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2 in the main
cross section, flux leakage from the main pole 15 to the second
shield 16B increases and the main pole 15 thus becomes unable to
direct much magnetic flux to the medium facing surface 2. It is
therefore necessary that the second shield 16B is not excessively
long in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2
in the main cross section. In the main cross section, if the length
of each of the first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2 is equal to
or smaller than that of the second shield 16B, the first and second
coupling layers 36 and 37 cannot direct much magnetic flux from the
second shield 16B to the yoke part 31. In this embodiment, in
contrast, the first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 are
configured so that in the main cross section, the length of each of
the first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2 is greater than that
of the second shield 16B and smaller than that of the magnetic
layer 32. Consequently, according to the embodiment, the first and
second coupling layers 36 and 37 can direct much magnetic flux from
the second shield 16B to the magnetic layer 32 (the yoke part
31).
[0118] Likewise, in this embodiment, the first and second coupling
layers 46 and 47 are configured so that in the main cross section,
the length of each of the first and second coupling layers 46 and
47 in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2 is
greater than that of the first shield 16A and smaller than that of
the magnetic layer 42. Consequently, according to the embodiment,
the first and second coupling layers 46 and 47 can direct much
magnetic flux from the first shield 16A to the magnetic layer 42
(the yoke part 41).
[0119] The first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 are disposed
between the medium facing surface 2 and the first portion 10 of the
coil. If the end faces of the first and second coupling layers 36
and 37 are exposed over a large area in the medium facing surface
2, the heat generated by the first portion 10 of the coil may cause
the first and second coupling layers 36 and 37 to expand, and this
may cause the end faces of the first and second coupling layers 36
and 37, which are part of the medium facing surface 2, to
protrude.
[0120] In this embodiment, the second coupling layer 37 has the end
face 37a facing toward the medium facing surface 2 and located away
from the medium facing surface 2. This serves to prevent
undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing surface 2 from
being caused by the second coupling layer 37 and the first portion
10 (the second layer 12) of the coil. In this embodiment, in
particular, the insulating layer 55 made of an inorganic insulating
material that has a smaller coefficient of linear thermal expansion
and a higher Vickers hardness than those of the magnetic material
used to form the second coupling layer 37 is present between the
end face 37a of the second coupling layer 37 and the medium facing
surface 2. The insulating layer 55 exists over a larger area than
the second coupling layer 37 does. The insulating layer 55
therefore functions to suppress a change in level of the second
coupling layer 37 caused by the heat generated by the first portion
10 (the second layer 12) of the coil. Consequently, according to
the embodiment, it is possible to more effectively prevent
undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing surface 2 from
being caused by the second coupling layer 37 and the first portion
10 (the second layer 12) of the coil.
[0121] The above description relating to the second coupling layer
37 and the first portion 10 (the second layer 12) of the coil also
applies to the second coupling layer 47, which constitutes part of
the second return path section 40, and the second portion 20 (the
second layer 22) of the coil. More specifically, in this
embodiment, the second coupling layer 47 has the end face 47a
facing toward the medium facing surface 2 and located away from the
medium facing surface 2. This serves to prevent undesirable
protrusion of part of the medium facing surface 2 from being caused
by the second coupling layer 47 and the second portion 20 (the
second layer 22) of the coil. In this embodiment, in particular,
the insulating layer 68 made of an inorganic insulating material
that has a smaller coefficient of linear thermal expansion and a
higher Vickers hardness than those of the magnetic material used to
form the second coupling layer 47 is present between the end face
47a of the second coupling layer 47 and the medium facing surface
2. The insulating layer 68 exists over a larger area than the
second coupling layer 47 does. The insulating layer 68 therefore
functions to suppress a change in level of the second coupling
layer 47 caused by the heat generated by the second portion 20 (the
second layer 22) of the coil. Consequently, according to the
embodiment, it is possible to more effectively prevent undesirable
protrusion of part of the medium facing surface 2 from being caused
by the second coupling layer 47 and the second portion 20 (the
second layer 22) of the coil.
[0122] According to the embodiment, since it is possible to prevent
undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing surface 2 from
being caused by the second coupling layer 37 and the first portion
10 (the second layer 12) of the coil as described above, there is
no need to, for example, reduce the second coupling layer 37 in
length in the direction perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the
substrate 1 in order to reduce the area of the end face 37a of the
second coupling layer 37. In this embodiment, in the main cross
section, the second coupling layer 37 is smaller than the first
coupling layer 36 in length in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2, and is greater than the first coupling
layer 36 in length in the direction perpendicular to the top
surface 1a of the substrate 1.
[0123] Likewise, since it is possible according to the embodiment
to prevent undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing
surface 2 from being caused by the second coupling layer 47 and the
second portion 20 (the second layer 22) of the coil as described
above, there is no need to, for example, reduce the second coupling
layer 47 in length in the direction perpendicular to the top
surface 1a of the substrate 1 in order to reduce the area of the
end face 47a of the second coupling layer 47. In this embodiment,
in the main cross section, the second coupling layer 47 is smaller
than the first coupling layer 46 in length in the direction
perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2, and is greater than
the first coupling layer 46 in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1.
[0124] To obtain a higher recording density, the frequency of a
recording signal is increased. Accordingly, the magnetic head is
required to achieve a higher rate of change in the direction of the
magnetic flux produced from the end face of the main pole 15. To
address this requirement, it is effective to reduce the lengths of
the magnetic paths passing through the write shield 16 and the main
pole 15, i.e., the length of the magnetic path passing through the
second shield 16B, the first return path section 30 and the main
pole 15, and the length of the magnetic path passing through the
first shield 16A, the second return path section 40 and the main
pole 15. For the reasons described below, it is possible according
to the embodiment to reduce the magnetic path length of the first
return path section 30 and the magnetic path length of the second
return path section 40.
[0125] The first coupling layer 36 has the end face 36a located in
the medium facing surface 2. To prevent undesirable protrusion of
part of the medium facing surface 2 from being caused by the first
coupling layer 36 and the first portion 10 (the first layer 11) of
the coil, it is effective to reduce the first coupling layer 36 in
length in the direction perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the
substrate 1 so that the end face 36a of the first coupling layer 36
located in the medium facing surface 2 is reduced in area.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to dispose the first
coil element 11A in a narrow space between the main pole 15 and the
two second coil elements 12A and 12B, while allowing the first
coupling layer 36 to be reduced in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 and thereby
allowing the end face 36a of the first coupling layer 36 to be
reduced in area. More specifically, in this embodiment, only a
single first coil element 11A is disposed between the main pole 15
and the two second coil elements 12A and 12B. This configuration
allows the first coil element 11A to be increased in length in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2 to thereby
reduce the resistance of the first coil element 11A, even though
the first coupling layer 36 and the first coil element 11A are
small in length in the direction perpendicular to the top surface
1a of the substrate 1. Consequently, according to the embodiment,
the first coil element 11A can be disposed even in a narrow space
as described above.
[0126] Thus, according to this embodiment, the first space S1
defined by the main pole 15, the gap part 17 (the first gap layer
18), the write shield 16, the first coupling layer 36, the second
coupling layer 37 and the yoke part 31 can be efficiently used to
dispose the first portion 10 of the coil. This makes it possible to
reduce the magnetic path length of the first return path section
30.
[0127] The above description relating to the first return path
section 30 also applies to the second return path section 40. More
specifically, the first coupling layer 46 has the end face 46a
located in the medium facing surface 2. To prevent undesirable
protrusion of part of the medium facing surface 2 from being caused
by the first coupling layer 46 and the second portion 20 (the first
layer 21) of the coil, it is effective to reduce the first coupling
layer 46 in length in the direction perpendicular to the top
surface 1a of the substrate 1 so that the end face 46a of the first
coupling layer 46 located in the medium facing surface 2 is reduced
in area. According to this embodiment, it is possible to dispose
the first coil element 21A in a narrow space between the main pole
15 and the two second coil elements 22A and 22B, while allowing the
first coupling layer 46 to be reduced in length in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1 and thereby
allowing the end face 46a of the first coupling layer 46 to be
reduced in area. More specifically, in this embodiment, only a
single first coil element 21A is disposed between the main pole 15
and the two second coil elements 22A and 22B. This configuration
allows the first coil element 21A to be increased in length in the
direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface 2 to thereby
reduce the resistance of the first coil element 21A, even though
the first coupling layer 46 and the first coil element 21A are
small in length in the direction perpendicular to the top surface
1a of the substrate 1. Consequently, according to the embodiment,
the first coil element 21A can be disposed even in a narrow space
as described above.
[0128] Thus, according to this embodiment, the second space S2
defined by the main pole 15, the gap part 17 (the second gap layer
19), the write shield 16, the first coupling layer 46, the second
coupling layer 47 and the yoke part 41 can be efficiently used to
dispose the second portion 20 of the coil. This makes it possible
to reduce the magnetic path length of the second return path
section 40.
[0129] Consequently, according to this embodiment, it is possible
to prevent undesirable protrusion of part of the medium facing
surface 2 from being caused by the first and second coupling layers
36 and 37 constituting part of the first return path section 30,
the first portion 10 of the coil, the first and second coupling
layers 46 and 47 constituting part of the second return path
section 40, and the second portion 20 of the coil. It is also
possible to reduce the magnetic path lengths of the first and
second return path sections 30 and 40.
[0130] In the embodiment, the two second coil elements 12A and 12B
are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing
surface 2, as already described. This allows the second layer 12
including the two second coil elements 12A and 12B to be patterned
more easily, as compared with the case where the two second coil
elements 12A and 12B are aligned in the direction perpendicular to
the top surface 1a of the substrate 1.
[0131] Likewise, in the embodiment, the two second coil elements
22A and 22B are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the
medium facing surface 2, as already described. This allows the
second layer 22 including the two second coil elements 22A and 22B
to be patterned more easily, as compared with the case where the
two second coil elements 22A and 22B are aligned in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 1a of the substrate 1.
[0132] The other effects provided by the embodiment will now be
described. In this 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 2. 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 2. 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 2. 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 2.
Consequently, the embodiment allows the main pole 15 to have a
small thickness in the medium facing surface 2. It is thus possible
to prevent the skew-induced adjacent track erase. The embodiment
further allows the main pole 15 to have a great thickness in the
part away from the medium facing surface 2. This allows the main
pole 15 to direct much magnetic flux to the medium facing surface
2, and consequently allows improving write characteristics such as
overwrite property.
[0133] In the main pole 15 of this embodiment, the angles of
inclination 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 2.
Furthermore, in the main pole 15, the angles of inclination of the
second and fifth portions 15L2 and 15T2 can be increased to thereby
provide a great distance between the third portion 15L3 and the
sixth portion 15T3 while achieving a small thickness of the main
pole 15 in the medium facing surface 2. This allows preventing the
skew-induced problems and improving write characteristics.
Consequently, according to this 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 2.
[0134] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
embodiment, and various modifications may be made thereto. For
example, so long as the requirements of the claims are satisfied,
there may be provided any number of second coil elements other than
the example illustrated in the foregoing embodiment.
[0135] The magnetic head may be provided with either one of the
first and second return path sections 30 and 40. Alternatively, the
magnetic head may be provided with the first and second return path
sections 30 and 40, and either one of the first and second return
path sections 30 and 40 may have a yoke part, a first coupling
layer, and a second coupling layer.
[0136] 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.
* * * * *