Magnetic head and magneto-optical recording device

A magneto-optical recording device for reading information from and recording information to a recording medium, the magneto-optical recording device comprising an E-shaped magnetic head including:

• a magnetic core formed from a first integral piece of magnetic material, the magnetic core including:
• an elongated base member having a center located between a first end and a second end;
• a main core portion extending perpendicular to the base member, the main core portion having a fixed end located at an intersection of the main core portion and the base member and located adjacent the center of the base member, the main core portion having a free end spaced away from the base member;
• a first side core portion extending perpendicular to the base member and parallel to the main core portion, the first side core portion having a fixed end located at an intersection of the first side core portion and the base member near the first end, and a free end spaced away from the base member, the free end of the first side core portion being spaced a first distance from said main core portion;
• and
• a second side core portion extending perpendicular to the base member and parallel to the main core portion, the second side core portion having a fixed end located at an intersection of the second side core portion and the base member near the second end, and
• a free end spaced away from the base member, the free end of the second side core portion being spaced a second distance from said main core portion, the second distance being substantially equal to the first distance;
• a coil wound around the main core portion such that a first portion of the coil is located between the main core portion and the first side core portion, and a second portion of the coil is located between the main core portion and the second side core portion;
• an auxiliary core formed from a second integral piece of magnetic material, the auxiliary core contacting the free ends of the first and second side core portions and having central portions respectively extending from the first and second side core portions toward the main core portion, the central portions defining an opening having an edge which is spaced a third distance from the free end of the main core portion such that a magnetic gap is formed between the edge and the free end of said main core portion;
• wherein the first distance is greater than the third distance such that magnetic flux generated by the main core portion flows from the free end of the main core portion across the magnetic gap and along return paths formed by the auxiliary core and the first and second side core portions.