Current-perpendicular-to-the-plane structure electromagnetic transducer element having reduced path for electric current

Abstract

A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) structure electromagnetic transducer element comprises upper and lower electrically-conductive lead layers. The lead layers are employed to supply an electric current to an electromagnetic transducer film. An electrically-conductive terminal piece is allowed to stand on the surface of the lower electrically-conductive lead layer. The contact established between the electrically-conductive terminal piece and the electromagnetic transducer film is allowed to define the path for the electric current. The reduced contact area of the electrically-conductive terminal piece contributes to reduction in the size or extent of the path for the electric current through the electromagnetic transducer film. The path of the electric current can be reduced in the CPP structure electromagnetic transducer element without relying on reduction in the size of the electromagnetic transducer film.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.