Magnetoresistive effect sensor, thin-film magnetic head with the sensor and manufacturing method of the thin-film magnetic head

A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head comprising the steps of:

• forming a spin valve effect multi-layered structure including a non-magnetic electrically conductive material layer, first and second ferromagnetic material layers separated by said non-magnetic electrically conductive material layer, and an anti-ferromagnetic material layer formed adjacent to and in physical contact with one surface of said second ferromagnetic material layer opposite said non-magnetic electrically conductive material layer, said multi-layered structure having ends at its track-width direction;
• forming longitudinal bias means at both said track-width ends of said multi-layered structure, for providing a longitudinal magnetic bias to said multi-layered structure;
• magnetizing said longitudinal bias means in a direction opposite a reference direction for the longitudinal magnetic bias;
• annealing said multi-layered structure at a temperature equal to or less than the blocking temperature of said anti-ferromagnetic material layer under application of a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the reference direction for the longitudinal magnetic bias, for providing exchange coupling between said anti-ferromagnetic material layer and said second ferromagnetic material layer, said exchange coupling producing exchange coupling magnetic bias in said second ferromagnetic material layer;
• and
• magnetizing again said longitudinal bias means toward the reference direction for the longitudinal magnetic bias.