Method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head

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

• a reproducing head including:
• a magnetoresistive element;
• a first shield layer and a second shield layer for shielding the magnetoresistive element, portions of the first shield layer and the second shield layer that face a recording medium being opposed to each other with the magnetoresistive element in between;
• a first insulating layer provided between the magnetoresistive element and the first shield layer and a second insulating layer provided between the magnetoresistive element and the second shield layer;
• a recording head including:
• a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer magnetically coupled to each other and each made up of at least one layer and including magnetic pole portions opposed to each other and each located in a respective end region of the magnetic layers that faces toward a recording medium;
• a gap layer placed between the pole portions of the first and second magnetic layers;
• and a thin-film coil at least part of which is placed between the first and second magnetic layers and insulated from the first and second magnetic layers;
• and
• a substrate having a top surface, wherein:
• the reproducing head and the recording head are stacked on the top surface of the substrate;
• the second shield layer includes a first portion and a second portion that are separate from each other;
• the first shield layer and the first portion of the second shield layer are placed in one plane that is parallel to the top surface of the substrate, and are insulated from each other by an insulating film;
• the second portion of the second shield layer is connected to the first portion and opposed to the first shield layer with the magnetoresistive element in between;
• and
• the second shield layer also functions as the first magnetic layer;
• the method including the steps of:
• forming the first shield layer and the first portion of the second shield layer to be placed in the one plane and insulated from each other;
• forming at least part of the thin-film coil on the first portion of the second shield layer such that the coil is insulated from the first portion;
• forming the first insulating layer on the first shield layer;
• forming the magnetoresistive element on the first insulating layer;
• forming the second insulating layer on the magnetoresistive element;
• forming the second portion of the second shield layer on the second insulating layer;
• forming the gap layer on the second portion;
• and
• forming the second magnetic layer on the gap layer.