Magnetic head magneto-resistive element with c-shaped multi-layered structure

A magneto-resistive element for a thin-film magnetic head, said magneto-resistive element comprising:

• a multi-layer structure defining an ellipse-like C-shape and comprising a soft magnetic film, a thin non-magnetic spacer layer over said soft magnetic film, and a magneto-resistive layer over said thin non-magnetic spacer layer, each of said soft magnetic film, said thin non-magnetic spacer layer, and said magneto-resistive layer being substantially planar and lying in a plane substantially parallel to a main plane
• said multi-layer structure comprising:
• an elongated active front portion having first and second ends and extending parallel to a first axis lying in said main plane,
• first and second side portions separated by a gap and respectively contiguous with said first and second ends of said active front portion and each extending in a direction parallel to a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and
• first and second passive back portions respectively contiguous with said first and second side portions and each extending parallel to said first axis,
• all of said front portion being located in front of said first axis and all of said first and second back portions being located behind said first axis;
• an antiferromagnetic layer covering a portion of said magneto-resistive layer, all of said antiferromagnetic layer being located behind said first axis;
• and
• spaced conductor leads each directly contacting said magneto-resistive layer at respective positions which are in front of said first axis, said spaced conductor leads overlapping said antiferromagnetic layer at positions which are behind said first axis.