Magnetoresistive head having electrically isolated conductor leads

Abstract

A magnetic head 50 comprises a substrate 55 including a magnetoresistive sensor 60 having (i) a magnetoresistive element 65 with a top surface 105, and (ii) an electrically conducting portion 75. Conductor leads 70 are electrically connected to the electrically conducting portion 75 of the magnetoresistive sensor 60. First and second dielectric isolators 100, 125 electrically isolate the conductor leads. The dielectric isolators 100, 125 terminate adjacent to, and substantially without covering, the top surface of the magnetoresistive element. Preferably, the first dielectric isolators 100 comprise (i) an inner edge 115 abutting and covering the peripheral edge 110 of the magnetoresistive sensor, and (ii) an upper surface 120 substantially in the same plane as the top surface 105 of the magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetic head 50 has superior magnetic data reading accuracy and reliability.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.