MAGNETO-RESISTANCE HEAD USING SPIN-VALVE ELEMENT AND MAGNETIC RECORDING/REPRODUCING DEVICE HAVING THE MAGNETO-RESISTANCE HEAD INSIDE

摘要

PURPOSE: A magneto-resistance head and a magnetic recording/reproducing device are provided to reduce a gap length and a track width while suppressing an undesired magnetic combination between magnetic layers. CONSTITUTION: The first insulating film(13) is formed on the first magnetic shield(17). A magnetic resistance film consists of a magnetization free layer(1) adjacent to an air bearing surface, a magnetization pinned layer(5) isolated from the magnetization free layer(1) in head height direction from the air bearing surface, and a non-magnetic intermediate layer(3) connecting the magnetization free layer(1) with the magnetization pinned layer(5). The second insulating film(15) is formed on the first magnetic resistance film. The second magnetic shield(19) is formed on the second insulating film(15). A magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer(1) is rotated in an outer magnetic field, while a magnetization of the magnetization pinned layer(5) is substantially fixed under the outer magnetic field.