Thin film magnetoresistive head for magnetic recording and reproducing

Abstract

In a magnetoresistive head capable of performing favorable magnetic recording and reproduction, an overlap width of a front yoke and a magnetoresistive element is always wider than an overlap width of a back yoke and the magnetoresistive element. Generally, the magnetoresistive head varies in its reproduction efficiency by the overlap width of the yoke and magnetoresistive element. In particular, the reproduction output is significantly affected by the overlap width of the front yoke and magnetoresistive element, and when the overlap width of the front yoke becomes narrower than the overlap width of the back yoke, the reproduction output tends to decrease abruptly. Therefore, by keeping the overlap width of the front yoke always wider than the other, a stable reproduction output can be achieved. In particular, an outstanding effect is obtained in a multi-channel magnetoresistive head containing multiple magnetoresistive elements in one head.