Magnetoresistive device having magnetoresistive film and magnetic bias film with side-end faces with different angles of inclination and having insulating film made of electrically insulating material

Abstract

An object of the invention is to minimize the difference in reproducing output of a magnetoresistive device for a reproducing head. An MR device which composes a reproducing head is formed as a laminated structure in which a SAL film, an insulating film and an MR film which is a magnetoresistive film are laminated. The side-end faces of the MR film slope toward the supporting surface of a base body and the side-end faces of the SAL film are formed substantially vertical to the supporting surface of the base body. An insulating film, which is provided in the related art, is not provided on the side-end faces of the MR film and the SAL film so as to make them directly in contact with a first electrode layer. The area of the side-end faces of the SAL film is sufficiently smaller than that of the MR film, and the ratio of both areas can be set to a constant value. The contact resistance between the SAL film and the first electrode layer is sufficiently larger than the current flowing in the MR film and the first electrode layer, and the current flowing in the SAL film becomes sufficiently smaller than that of the MR film. Further, the ratio of the amount of the current flowing in the SAL film to that of the current flowing in the MR film becomes constant and difference in the reproducing output can be suppressed.