Thin-film magnetic head provided with leader section composed of good conductor extending from coil to terminal region and method of making the same

A thin-film magnetic head comprising:

• a magnetic lower core provided on a slider;
• a first insulating layer formed on the lower core;
• a spiral coil comprising a good conductor formed on the first insulating layer;
• a leader section comprising a good conductor formed on the slider, the leader section extending from an end of the coil to a terminal region provided on the slider;
• a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer so as to cover the coil;
• a magnetic upper core formed on the second insulating layer, the upper core being in contact with the lower core at an inner center of the coil;
• and
• a protective magnetic film comprising a magnetic alloy having an outer shape corresponding to an outer shape of the leader section and covering an entire surface of the leader section,
• wherein the leader section comprises a first leader section comprising a good conductor connected to the end of the coil and extending to a first terminal region provided on the slider and a second leader section comprising a good conductor extending from the other end of the coil to a second terminal region provided on the slider, and the protective film comprising a first protective film and a second protective magnetic film having an outer shape corresponding to an outer shape of the first leader section and the second leader section, respectively, and covering the entire surface of the leader section.