JPH02173907A - Recording and reproducing magnetic head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform recording and reproducing at the same point and to improve the recording efficiency by using a coil wound around a substrate including a ferromagnetic thin film part. CONSTITUTION:When an external magnetic field is applied from a magnetic recording medium is directions of arrows A1 and A2, the resistance change of a magneto-resistance effect type thin film part 29 is detected by lead wires 31 and 32 and a magnetic head is used as the reproducing head. When the magnetic head will be used as the recording head, a signal current flows to a coil 30 to generate a magnetic field from the front end of the magneto- resistance effect type thin film part 29 in directions of arrows A1 and A2, and information is recorded on the magnetic recording medium. The signal current flows to a coil 30 wound around the substrate in this manner to excite conductive soft magnetic body layers 22 and 23, and the generated magnetic field is concentrated to the ferromagnetic thin film part 29 to record information. The resistance change due to the external magnetic field is detected from conductive soft magnetic body layers 22 and 23, and thereby, the magnetic head functions as the reproducing head.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a magnetic head for recording and reproducing that can be used for both recording and reproducing, and in particular to a recording head suitable for perpendicular magnetization recording and reproducing. This invention relates to a reproducing magnetic head.

(Prior Art) In recent years, perpendicular magnetization recording has attracted attention as a recording method that can significantly improve the recording density of magnetic recording. This method magnetizes signals in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording medium, and can achieve a higher recording density (i-4) than the general recording method in which signals are magnetized in the surface direction.

An outline of this perpendicular magnetization recording method will be explained using figures.

FIG. 9 shows a method of perpendicular magnetization recording using a so-called main pole excitation type magnetic head.

As shown in the figure, a main pole excitation type magnetic head 1 basically consists of a main pole 2 made of a high permeability magnetic material, a side member 3, and a coil 4 that integrally winds these. There is. The main pole 2 is attached to the side member 3 with its tip 5 protruding. This magnetic head 1 is
The tip portion 5 is arranged so as to face the magnetic layer 7 of the magnetic recording medium 6 . By passing a signal current through the coil 4 in this state, the side member 3 and the main magnetic pole 2 are excited, the generated magnetic field is concentrated on the tip 5, and the magnetic layer 7 is magnetized in the perpendicular direction.

By the way, if the magnetic head 1 is used to reproduce the magnetic recording medium 6 recorded with perpendicular magnetization in this manner, the output voltage is so small that reproduction is virtually impossible. Therefore, for reproduction, a conventional ring-shaped reproduction head must be prepared separately from that for recording. In that case, the magnetic head 1 for recording and the magnetic head for reproducing must be separated in position. Therefore, in order to record and reproduce the same recording track with both magnetic heads, highly accurate alignment is required.
When configuring a recording/reproducing device, spatial space also becomes an issue when incorporating both heads into the device. Additionally, providing separate magnetic heads for recording and reproduction is time-consuming, especially when using a multi-track head to reproduce a signal on one track and record it on another track. The problem is the misalignment.

Therefore, a single magnetic head for perpendicular magnetization recording and reproduction is required. As such a magnetic head for both recording and reproduction, the one shown in FIG. 10 is known.

The recording/reproducing magnetic head 8 in FIG. 10 is composed of a magnetoresistive element 9, a main magnetic pole 10, an insulating film 11 interposed between the two, and a coil 12 wound around the main magnetic pole 10. The magnetoresistive element 9 is formed of, for example, an alloy thin film of old -Pe, and has the property that its electrical resistance changes depending on the magnetic field. A main pole 10 made of a high permeability magnetic film is formed on one side of the magnetoresistive element 9 with an insulating film 11 made of a non-conductive thin film such as 5i02 sandwiched therebetween.

A coil 12 is wound around the main pole 10.

The magnetic head 8 configured in this manner is arranged such that the tip 13 of the layered film faces the magnetic layer 7 of the magnetic recording medium 6.

Perpendicular magnetization recording by the magnetic head 8 is performed by passing a signal current through a coil 12 wound around the main pole 10. That is, a signal current is passed through the coil 12 to excite the main magnetic pole 10, and the magnetic layer 7 is magnetized in the perpendicular direction by the magnetic field generated from its tip.

On the other hand, signal reproduction is performed as follows.

That is, when the magnetic recording medium 6 subjected to perpendicular magnetization recording is run, the electrical resistance of the magnetoresistive element 9 changes in response to changes in the magnetic field applied from the magnetic layer 7.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, a constant DC current (■) is applied to the magnetoresistive element 9, and a change in the electrical resistance of the magnetoresistive element 9 is detected as a voltage change V across the magnetoresistive element 9 to produce a reproduced output. You get it.

Note that this reproduction output is amplified by an amplifier 14 and taken out as a reproduction signal.

Now, this recording/reproducing magnetic head 8 has several problems as follows.

First, this magnetic head 8 is simply a combination of a main pole 10, which is essentially for recording only, and a magnetoresistive element 9, which also has a function only for reading, in parallel. Therefore, the distance between the positions of the recording and reproducing heads is much shorter than if they were provided separately, but recording and reproducing at the same point cannot be achieved, which is the essence of the problem mentioned earlier. This is not a practical solution.

Also, related to this, when trying to improve the recording efficiency using this magnetic head 8, one method is to move the winding position of the coil 12 as close to the tip 13 as possible. Conceivable.

However, if the coil 12 is wound too close to the tip 13, not only the main pole 10 but also the magnetoresistive element 9 itself will be excited.

The main magnetic pole 10 and the magnetoresistive element 9 are located in parallel with an insulating film 11 interposed therebetween. Therefore, when recording is performed with the coil 12 wound near the tip 13 of the magnetic head 8, recording is performed at two points where the main magnetic pole [0] and the magnetoresistive element 9 each face the magnetic recording medium 6. 1.
It's mauno. Therefore, the structure adopted by the magnetic head 8 is such that recording efficiency cannot be easily improved.

Furthermore, in general, when the tip of a magnetic head has a multilayer structure, a new problem of peeling occurs when it comes into contact with and slides on a magnetic recording medium.

Forming a strong multilayer structure to cope with this problem is extremely difficult in terms of manufacturing.

Therefore, the conventional recording/reproducing magnetic head 8 is difficult to put into practical use.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, with conventional magnetic heads for recording and reproducing, there are problems in that it is difficult to perform recording and reproducing at the same point, and it is difficult to improve recording efficiency. .

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic head for recording and reproducing which is capable of both recording and reproducing and is particularly suitable for perpendicular magnetization recording and reproducing.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a pair of electrically insulated and magnetically integrated conductive soft magnetic layers and end portions of these conductive soft magnetic layers. a substrate having a non-magnetic layer bonded to the substrate; an insulating layer formed on the substrate and having exposed portions on the non-magnetic layer side of a pair of conductive soft magnetic layers; A ferromagnetic thin film portion that is formed on a non-magnetic material layer and exhibits anisotropy of magnetoresistance; The coil is temporarily wound.

(Function) In the present invention, recording is possible by passing a signal current through a coil wound around the substrate, exciting the conductive soft magnetic material layer, and concentrating the generated magnetic field on the ferromagnetic thin film portion. .Also,
By detecting resistance changes caused by an external magnetic field from the conductive soft magnetic layer, it also functions as a reproducing head in the same way as a normal magnetoresistive magnetic head.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording/reproducing magnetic head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 21 indicates an integral block. The integral block 21 is formed by integrally joining a pair of soft magnetic blocks 22, 23, an insulating film 24 formed between opposing surfaces of these soft magnetic blocks 22, 23, and a nonmagnetic block 25. It has become.

An insulating film 26 is formed on the integral block 21 by sputtering. A portion of the insulating film 26 on the soft magnetic block 22, 23 and on the non-magnetic block 25 side is etched to form an exposed portion 27, 28. Further, on the non-magnetic block 25 side and on the exposed portions 27 and 28 on the insulating film 26, a magnetoresistive thin film portion 29 patterned into a rectangular shape is formed. Moreover, the integral block 21. A coil 30 is wound around the soft magnetic blocks 22 and 23, and lead wires 31 and 32 are connected to the soft magnetic blocks 22 and 23, respectively.

As shown in the figure, the recording/reproducing magnetic head configured as described above is capable of dissipating the magnetoresistive thin film portion 2 when an external magnetic field, which is a magnetic field from the magnetic recording medium, shown in the direction of arrows A, , and A2 is applied. The resistance change in the lead wire 31.3
2 can be detected. Therefore, this magnetic head can be used as a reproducing head. In addition, when this magnetic head is used for recording, the coil 30
By passing a signal current through the magnetoresistive thin film section 29
A magnetic field in the direction of arrows A, , A2 is generated from the tip of the magnetic recording medium, thereby recording on the magnetic recording medium. The coil 30 is used to generate a magnetic field for applying a bias magnetic field to the magnetoresistive thin film section 29 during reproduction.

Next, a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned recording/reproducing magnetic head will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of, for example, Mn5Z
Conductive soft magnetic block 41.42 such as n-ferrite
Then, a non-magnetic block 43 is prepared.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of soft magnetic blocks 4
A spacer 44 is formed between the opposing surfaces of the blocks 41.42 with a sputtered film of, for example, ±0.5 μm thick, such as 5I02 and 8β203, and is electrically insulated from these blocks 41.42. An integrated block 45 is constructed by joining the magnetic block 43 together.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, on the integral block 45,
For example, 5102, A! An insulating film 46 such as 203 is formed by sputtering.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the soft magnetic block 41.4
A part of the insulating film 46 on 2 is exposed by etching,
Exposed portions 47, 48 are formed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, a thin film having a magnetoresistive effect, such as Fe old, CoN1, etc., is formed on the insulating film 46 including the exposed portions 47 and 48 by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering. A magnetoresistive thin film portion 49 is formed by patterning into a square shape.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, by winding a coil 50 around the integral block 45 and connecting lead wires 51 and 52 to the soft magnetic blocks 41 and 42, the recording and reproducing magnetic field shown in FIG. The head is configured.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a recording/reproducing magnetic head according to another embodiment of the present invention. Note that in this figure, parts common to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a non-magnetic block 6 is placed on the insulating film 26 on the integral block 21 and on the two magnetoresistive thin film parts.
1 is arranged. A predetermined arcuate tape contact surface 62 is formed on the end surfaces of the nonmagnetic block 61, the two magnetoresistive thin film parts, and the nonmagnetic block 25 of the integral block 21. The recording/reproducing magnetic head of this embodiment performs recording on a running tape in contact with the tape contact surface 62 in a direction perpendicular to the tape surface, and also performs tape reproduction.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the recording/reproducing magnetic head of the present invention includes a pair of electrically insulated and magnetically integrated conductive soft magnetic layers and these conductive soft magnetic layers. a substrate having a non-magnetic layer bonded to an end portion of the insulating layer; an insulating layer formed on the substrate and having an exposed portion on the non-magnetic layer side of the pair of conductive soft magnetic layers; a ferromagnetic thin film portion that is formed on the nonmagnetic layer and exhibits anisotropy of magnetoresistance, and a coil that is wound around the substrate that includes the ferromagnetic thin film portion. Since it is configured,
Recording is possible by passing a signal current through a coil wound around the substrate to excite the conductive soft magnetic layer and concentrating the generated magnetic field on the ferromagnetic thin film portion. Furthermore, by detecting resistance changes caused by an external magnetic field from the conductive soft magnetic layer, it also functions as a reproducing head in the same way as a normal magnetoresistive magnetic head.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording/reproducing magnetic head according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing process of the recording/reproducing magnetic head of FIG. 1, and FIG. Figure 9 is a side view for explaining a recording/reproducing magnetic head according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining a conventional recording magnetic head, and Figure 10 is a conventional recording/reproducing magnetic head. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the magnetic head, and is a diagram for explaining the reproducing operation in the recording/reproducing magnetic head of FIG. 10. 21.45... Integral block, 22.23.41.4
2... Soft magnetic material block, 24... Insulating film, 25.
43...Nonmagnetic block, 26.46...Insulating film, 27.28.47.48...Exposed part, 29.49.
... Magnetoresistive thin film part, 30.50 ... Coil, 3
1.32.51.52... Lead wire, 44... Spacer. Applicant Toshiba Corporation Patent Attorney Sasa Suyama - A1 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 2 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A substrate having a pair of electrically insulated and magnetically integrated conductive soft magnetic layers and a nonmagnetic layer bonded to the ends of these conductive soft magnetic layers. , an insulating layer formed on the substrate and having exposed portions on the non-magnetic layer side of the pair of conductive soft magnetic layers; and an insulating layer formed on the non-magnetic layer including the exposed portions of the insulating layer. 1. A magnetic head for recording and reproducing, comprising: a ferromagnetic thin film portion exhibiting anisotropy of magnetic resistance; and a coil wound around the substrate including the ferromagnetic thin film portion.