Thin-film magnetic head with heater for adjusting magnetic spacing

A head gimbal assembly comprising:

• a thin-film magnetic head comprising:
• a substrate with an air bearing surface;
• at least one read head element including a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer, and at least one write head element including at least one magnetic pole layer, formed on said substrate;
• at least one heating element provided in a position opposite to said air bearing surface in relation to said at least one read head element and said at least one write head element;
• and
• at least one heatsink element including at least one heatsink layer provided adjacent to an end opposite to an end in said air bearing surface side of at least one layer of said lower shield layer, said upper shield layer and said at least one magnetic pole layer,
• said at least one heatsink element having a shape that a pattern width in the track-width direction of an end portion in said air bearing surface side is larger than a pattern width in the track-width direction of an end portion opposite to said end portion in said air bearing surface side;
• and
• trace conductors for supplying currents to said at least one heating element.

A magnetic disk drive apparatus comprising:

• at least one head gimbal assembly comprising:
• a thin-film magnetic head comprising:
• a substrate with an air bearing surface;
• at least one read head element including a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer, and at least one write head element including at least one magnetic pole layer, formed on said substrate;
• at least one heating element provided in a position opposite to said air bearing surface in relation to said at least one read head element and said at least one write head element;
• and
• at least one heatsink element including at least one heatsink layer provided adjacent to an end opposite to an end in said air bearing surface side of at least one layer of said lower shield layer, said upper shield layer and said at least one magnetic pole layer,
• said at least one heatsink element having a shape that a pattern width in the track-width direction of an end portion in said air bearing surface side is larger than a pattern width in the track-width direction of an end portion opposite to said end portion in said air bearing surface side;
• and
• trace conductors for supplying currents to said at least one heating element;
• and
• a heater-current control means for controlling currents supplied to said at least one heating element.