# US 5,351,158 A · Magnetoresistance effect thin film head with interconnected electrode structure

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- Number: US 5,351,158 A
- Document ID: US5351158A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/706,257
- Filed: 1991-05-28
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1990-05-30
- Assignees: Sony Corporation
- Inventors: Takuji Shibata
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5351158A

## CPC

- G11B 5/3903: {using magnetic thin film layers or their effects, the films being part of integrated structures}
- G11B 5/3106: {where the integrated or assembled structure comprises means for conditioning against physical detrimental influence, e.g. wear, contamination (G11B5/3133 takes precedence)}
- G11B 5/40: Protective measures on heads, e.g. against excessive temperature (G11B5/31 takes precedence; protection against wear G11B5/255 {; protective structure of the head: see under structures, e.g. G11B5/3106})
- G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R)

## Abstract

A magnetoresistance-effect thin film head including a substrate, a magnetic field sensing element provided on the substrate, an electrode layer having portions respectively extending from the opposite ends of the magnetic field sensing element to apply a sense current to the magnetic field sensing element so that the sense current will flow in the direction of a signal magnetic field, an insulating layer formed over the magnetic field sensing element, a bias magnetic field creating conductor formed on the insulating layer so as to extend across the magnetic field sensing element, and a magnetic shielding layer shielding the magnetic field sensing element. At least a portion of the electrode layer and a portion of the bias magnetic field creating conductor are included in a conductive pattern.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A magnetoresistance-effect thin film head comprising: a substrate; an elongate magnetic field sensing element provided on the substrate; an electrode layer having portions respectively extending from first and second opposite ends of the magnetic field sensing element to supply a sensing current to the magnetic field sensing element so that the sense current will flow in the direction of a signal magnetic field; an insulating layer formed over the magnetic field sensing element; a bias magnetic field creating conductor formed on the insulating layer so as to extend across the magnetic field sensing element; and a magnetic shielding layer formed over the magnetic field sensing element;
characterized in that the electrode layer consists of a laminated structure containing a principal conductive metal conductor and a moisture-resistant conductor, and
a single portion of the electrode layer adjacent said first end of said sensing element is contiguous with the sliding surface and said single portion is formed only of the moisture-resistant conductor.