Magnetic head including a reproducing head utilizing a magnetoresistance effect and having a magnetic shielding film containing nitrogen

A magnetic head comprising a reproducing head comprising:

• i) a leading magnetic shield film;
• ii) a first insulator, in secure contact with said leading magnetic shield film;
• iii) a magnetoresistance film, in secure contact with said first insulator;
• iv) a second insulator, in secure contact with said magnetoresistance film;
• and,
• v) a trailing magnetic shield film, in secure contact with said second insulator, formed on a substrate, wherein said leading magnetic shield film, said first insulator, said magnetoresistance film, said second insulator and said trailing magnetic shield film, together are formed on said substrate from the substrate to a trailing direction,
• wherein said leading magnetic shield film is made of a soft magnetic thin film having an atomic ratio composition of the formula:
• T.sub.(100-x-y) M.sub.x N.sub.y
• wherein
• T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni,
• M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta and W,
• N is nitrogen,
• letters x and y are in the range:
• 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.25 and 0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.25;
• and
• wherein said magnetic head exhibits an improved magnetic shield effect such as, increased output and decreased half-value widths.