Thin film magnetic head including heat dissipation, method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic disk drive

A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head, the thin film magnetic head comprising a magnetic transducer film being disposed so that a first end surface thereof faces a recording medium, and detecting a signal magnetic field from the recording medium, a pair of shield layers magnetically shielding the magnetic transducer film, and a gap layer electrically insulating between the magnetic transducer film and the pair of shield layers, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming the magnetic transducer film;
• forming the pair of shield layers so as to surround a second end surface of the magnetic transducer film and both film surfaces of the magnetic transducer film, the second end surface on the opposite side to the first end surface thereof;
• and
• forming the gap layer between the magnetic transducer film and the pair of shield layers so that a portion of the gap layer in contact with the end surface of the magnetic transducer film on a side, the side being opposite to a side facing the recording medium has a thickness ranging from 2 nm to 20 nm inclusive.

A magnetic disk drive, comprising:

• a recording medium;
• and
• a thin film magnetic head,
• wherein the thin film magnetic head comprises:
• a magnetic transducer film being disposed so that a first end surface thereof faces the recording medium, and detecting a signal magnetic field from the recording medium,
• a pair of shield layers that magnetically shield the magnetic transducer film and being disposed so as to surround a second end surface of the magnetic transducer film and both film surfaces of the magnetic transducer film, the second end surface on the opposite side to the first end surface thereof;
• and
• a gap layer being disposed between the magnetic transducer film and the pair of shield layers, and electrically insulating therebetween,
• wherein a portion of the gap layer in contact with the end surface of the magnetic transducer film on a side, the side being opposite to a side facing the recording medium has a thickness ranging from 2 nm to 20 nm inclusive.