Magneto-resistive element, magnetic head, and magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus

A magnetic head comprising:

• a magnetic substrate for operating as a first electrode,
• a multi-layer film formed on a portion of the surface of the magnetic substrate,
• an inter-layer insulating layer provided to cover side surfaces of the multi-layer film,
• a flux guide formed on surfaces of the multi-layer film and inter-layer insulating layers,
• a non-magnetic conductive layer formed on a surface of the flux guide, and
• a second electrode formed on a surface of the non-magnetic conductive layer,
• wherein said multi-layer film includes
• a first magnetic layer formed on a portion of the surface of the magnetic substrate and includes a fixed layer, and
• a second magnetic layer including a non-magnetic layer formed on a surface of the first magnetic layer and a free layer formed on a surface of the non-magnetic layer,
• wherein an external magnetic field being produced by a magnetic recording medium from which data is to be read acts to change the magnetization direction of the free layer included in the second magnetic layer through the flux guide, thereby to change a relative angle of magnetization between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and to detect the variation of the relative angle of magnetization as a variation of electric current by means of the magnetic substrate operating as a first electrode and the second electrode upon changing the relative angle between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer;
• and
• wherein at least a portion of the inter-layer insulating layer is positioned between the flux guide and the magnetic substrate.