公开(公告)号：US20170236538A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-17

申请号：US15044559

申请日：2016-02-16

Applicant: TDK Corporation

Inventor： Hisayoshi WATANABE ,  Naomichi DEGAWA ,  Satoshi MIURA ,  Masachika HASHINO ,  Tetsuya HIRAKI ,  Hidekazu KOJIMA

IPC: G11B5/39

CPC classification number: G11B5/3912 ,  G11B2005/3996

Abstract: A magneto-resistive effect element (MR element) has an upper shield that is magnetized in a cross track direction, a lower shield that is positioned at an interval relative to the upper shield in a down track direction, and a multilayer film that is positioned between the upper shield and the lower shield and that faces an air bearing surface (ABS). The multilayer film has a free layer where its magnetization direction fluctuates relative to an external magnetic field, a pinned layer where its magnetization direction is pinned against the external magnetic field, a nonmagnetic spacer layer that is positioned between the free layer and the pinned layer, and an insulating layer that is positioned at a back side of the free layer viewed from the ABS. The MR element further has a pair of side shields that are positioned at both sides of the free layer and the insulating layer in a cross track direction. The side shields contact the upper shield on the sides of the free layer and the insulating layer in the cross track direction.