JP2002175610A - Thin film magnetic head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a yoke type thin film magnetic head, by which high reproducing output is obtained. SOLUTION: A magnetizing free layer 4 constituting a GMR(giant magnetroresistance) element 3 is used as a part of a magnetic circuit, and also a sense current for detecting an electric resistance is applied in a direction of the film surface of the GMR element 3 and also in the vertical direction with respect to a magnetic recording medium 13 the information of which is read out. Thus, the thin film magnetic head with high output is obtained since a magnetic flux of signal from the magnetic recording medium 13 is efficiently impressed on the GMR element 3 and also an output from the GMR element 3 is efficiently detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a thin film magnetic head for reproducing a magnetic signal recorded on a magnetic recording medium, and more particularly, to a yoke type thin film magnetic head using a spin valve type giant magnetoresistive element. Regarding the structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a thin film magnetic head having a reproducing head using a magnetoresistive element has been developed.

As this magnetoresistive element, a yoke type thin film magnetic head using a giant magnetoresistive element of spin valve type (hereinafter referred to as GMR element) having a structure shown in FIG. 5 has been proposed (example). : Japanese Patent No. 267232).

In this thin-film magnetic head, a yoke 62 has a magnetic gap made of a nonmagnetic material 61, and a nonmagnetic conductor layer 63, a magnetic layer 64 and an antiferromagnetic layer 65 are formed on the yoke 62. This is a stacked configuration.

In the thin film magnetic head having such a configuration, since the yoke 62 functions as a magnetization free layer, the yoke 62, the nonmagnetic conductor layer 63, and the magnetic layer 64
And the antiferromagnetic layer 65 function as a GMR element 66, and when a sense current flows in the I direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface) shown in FIG. As a result, the electric resistance of the GMR element 66 changes, and the information recorded on the magnetic recording medium 67 can be read as a signal.

In the thin film magnetic head having such a configuration, the magnetization free layer forming the GMR element 66 is formed by the yoke 62.
Therefore, the effect of magnetostatic coupling and sense current flux at the film edge of the GMR element 66 can be reduced, and a thin-film magnetic head having a large reproduction output and excellent reproduction signal waveform symmetry can be realized. did it.

[0007]

However, in the yoke type thin-film magnetic head as described above, since the sense current flows in the I direction, most of the sense current that should be passed only to the GMR element 66 is mostly non-magnetic conductor layer. Since the current is shunted over the entire area of the yoke 62 having a larger cross-sectional area and a lower magnetoresistance, there is a limit in improving the ratio of the sense current applied to the GMR element 66.

As a countermeasure, a measure has been proposed in which a high-resistance magnetic layer is provided between the yoke 62 and the nonmagnetic conductor layer 63 to reduce the shunt of the sense current from the GMR element 66 to the yoke 62. The use of the magnetization free layer and the yoke 62 also necessitates the formation of another high-resistance thin film, which rather complicates the manufacturing process.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and without complicating the manufacturing process,
To provide a thin-film magnetic head using a GMR element 66 having a sufficient reproduction output for minimizing a shunt of a sense current from the GMR element 66 to cope with a high recording density, particularly a narrow track. With the goal.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, a thin-film magnetic head according to the present invention forms a serial magnetic circuit with a yoke made of a magnetic material and a magnetization free layer, and the magnetic circuit has a magnetic gap. A GMR element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of a region of the magnetization free layer, and a pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value is formed. A sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the GMR element is applied in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic recording medium from which information can be read.

In the thin-film magnetic head of the present invention configured as described above, the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium
In addition to applying the sense current to the MR element and applying the sense current in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic recording medium from which information can be read, the sense current is not diverted to the yoke. Since the voltage can be efficiently applied to the GMR element, a thin-film magnetic head having a high reproduction output can be obtained.

Further, the thin film magnetic head of the present invention is connected at one end to a first yoke made of a magnetic material through a magnetic gap, and at the other end to the first yoke via an insulating layer. A second yoke made of a magnetic material connected to the second yoke, and at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer are sequentially laminated on at least a part of a region of the second yoke to form a GMR.
An element is formed, a pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the GMR element is provided, and a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the GMR element is read in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and information is read. It is characterized in that it is applied horizontally to the magnetic recording medium.

In the thin-film magnetic head according to the present invention, the sense current is applied in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and in the horizontal direction to the magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. Is connected to the second yoke via the insulating layer, so that the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium can be efficiently applied to the GMR element, and the sense current can be distributed to the entire yoke area. , G
Since the voltage can be efficiently applied to the MR element, a thin-film magnetic head having a high reproduction output can be obtained.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a thin-film magnetic head according to a first aspect of the present invention, a magnetic circuit is formed in series with a yoke made of a magnetic material and a magnetization free layer. A GMR element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of the free layer, and a pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the GMR element is provided. By applying a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the GMR element in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic recording medium from which information can be read, a signal from the magnetic recording medium can be efficiently output. Since the magnetic flux can be applied to the GMR element and the shunt of the sense current from the GMR element can be minimized, the output of the GMR element can be detected efficiently, and It is possible to obtain an output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thin-film magnetic head comprising: a first yoke made of a magnetic material;
Yoke via a magnetic gap, and the other end of the first
And a second yoke made of a magnetic material connected to the first yoke. At least a non-magnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer are sequentially laminated on at least a part of a region of the second yoke.
An R element is formed, a pair of electrodes are provided for detecting a change in the resistance value of the GMR element, and a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the GMR element is read in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and information is read. By applying the magnetic flux perpendicularly to the magnetic recording medium to be applied, the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium can be efficiently applied to the GMR element and the GM
Since the shunt of the sense current from the R element can be minimized, the output of the GMR element can be efficiently detected, and a high reproduction output can be obtained.

In the thin-film magnetic head according to a third aspect of the present invention, the first yoke made of a magnetic material is connected to the first yoke via a magnetic gap at one end of the first yoke. A second yoke made of a magnetic material, a third yoke made of a magnetic material connected to the first yoke at the other end of the first yoke, and between the second yoke and the third yoke. A GMR element formed by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of a region of the magnetization free layer, and forming a GMR element. A first yoke, a second yoke, a third yoke, and a magnetization free layer to form a magnetic circuit in series with the first yoke, the second yoke, the third yoke, and the electric resistance of the GMR element. The sense current for detection is read in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and the information is read. By applying the magnetic flux perpendicularly to the magnetic recording medium, the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium can be efficiently applied to the GMR element, and the shunt of the sense current from the GMR element can be minimized. Since the output of the GMR element can be detected efficiently, the thickness of the second yoke and the third yoke can be increased, and the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit can be reduced. Can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thin-film magnetic head comprising: a first yoke made of a magnetic material;
Yoke via a magnetic gap, and the other end of the first
And a second yoke made of a magnetic material and connected to the first yoke via an insulating layer. At least a non-magnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer are sequentially laminated on at least a part of the second yoke. Forming a GMR element, providing a pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the GMR element, and supplying a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the GMR element in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and the information. Is applied in the horizontal direction to the magnetic recording medium to be read, so that the first yoke and the second yoke are connected via the insulating layer, so that the signal flux from the magnetic recording medium can be efficiently generated. Can be applied to the GMR element, and the shunt of the sense current from the GMR element can be minimized.
The output of the R element can be detected efficiently, and a thin-film magnetic head having a high reproduction output can be obtained.

Further, in the thin film magnetic head according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first yoke made of a magnetic material is connected to the first yoke via a magnetic gap at one end of the first yoke. A second yoke made of a magnetic material, a third yoke made of a magnetic material, connected to the other end of the first yoke via an insulating layer, and a second yoke and a second yoke. And a magnetization free layer bridging between the three yokes, and a GMR element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of a region of the magnetization free layer; A pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the GMR element is provided, and a first yoke, a second yoke, a third yoke, and a magnetization free layer form a serial magnetic circuit.
The sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the MR element is represented by G
Since the first yoke and the second yoke are connected via an insulating layer by applying a voltage in the direction of the film surface of the MR element and in the horizontal direction with respect to the magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. Efficiently, the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium
Since the current can be applied to the MR element and the shunt of the sense current from the GMR element can be minimized, the output of the GMR element can be detected efficiently,
And the thickness of the second yoke and the third yoke is increased.
Since the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit can be reduced, a higher reproduction output can be obtained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thin film magnetic head according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein at least one of the pair of electrodes is connected to the second electrode. The use of either the second yoke or the third yoke can reduce the number of electrode formation steps in manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head, and can facilitate manufacture.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thin film magnetic head according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the pair of electrodes is formed by a second yoke and a second yoke. Since the third yoke is also used, the number of electrode forming steps in manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head can be reduced, and the manufacturing can be further facilitated.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a thin film magnetic head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a GMR element 3 which is a magnetoresistive element, a magnetization free layer 4, a nonmagnetic conductor layer 5, a magnetization fixed layer 6, and an antiferromagnetic layer 7 are sequentially laminated on a substrate 1 which is an insulating material. Is configured.

The magnetization free layer 4 constituting the GMR element 3 is
It is formed from the front gap portion 9 to a region where the rear portion is in magnetic contact with the upper yoke 12. The front gap portion 9 is connected to the upper yoke 12 via a magnetic gap made of the non-magnetic material 11. The upper yoke 12
Since the magnetic material is magnetically coupled to the non-magnetic material 11, the nonmagnetic material 11, the magnetization free layer 4, and the upper yoke 12 form a magnetic circuit.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the substrate 1 is made of Al ₂ O ₃ .TiC, and the magnetization free layer 4 is made of NiF
e, Cu for the nonmagnetic conductor layer 5 and CoF for the magnetization fixed layer 6
e, Al ₂ O ₃ for the non-magnetic material 11 and N for the upper yoke 12
iFe was used for each.

The magnetization of the magnetization fixed layer 6 is fixed by the antiferromagnetic layer 7 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the track width direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) (in the direction of the paper).
Is oriented substantially in the track width direction in the absence of a magnetic field, and is made of a material having soft magnetic properties.

In this embodiment, the antiferromagnetic layer 7 is used to fix the magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer 6.
Even if a hard magnetic layer is used, the magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer 6 can be fixed.

On the left and right sides of the GMR element 3, the first electrodes 2
And a second electrode 8, and a constant current is applied in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic recording medium from which information can be read.

Next, the operation of the thin-film magnetic head constructed as described above during reproduction will be described.

The thin-film magnetic head is opposed to the magnetic recording medium 13 at the front gap 9, and the signal magnetic flux induced by the magnetization state of the magnetic recording medium 13 is transmitted from the front gap 9 to the magnetization free layer 4, Upper yoke 12, front gap 9
(Or in the opposite direction) through the magnetic circuit.

Most of the signal magnetic flux applied from the magnetic recording medium 13 to the magnetic circuit in the GMR element 3 flows through the magnetization free layer 4, and according to the magnitude of the signal magnetic flux, the magnetization free layer 4 Of the GMR element 3 changes, and the sense current applied by the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 8 changes. Thus, this resistance change can be detected.

As described above, in the thin-film magnetic head according to the first embodiment, almost all of the magnetic flux flowing from the magnetic recording medium 13 into the magnetic circuit is applied to the magnetization free layer 4, so that a high reproduction output is obtained. Can be obtained.

The magnetic recording medium 13 may be either an in-plane recording medium or a perpendicular recording medium.

In the first embodiment, the GM
Since the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 8 can be formed after the formation of the R element 3, the GMR element 3 can be formed with a good surface property, so that the deterioration of the reproduction signal due to an increase in noise or the like is prevented. You can also.

Further, the GMR element 3 has a magnetic recording medium 13 in which information can be read in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element.
, A sense current is applied in the vertical direction, and there is no current leaking to the upper yoke 12, and the sense current is
Since the GMR element 3 is applied to the MR element 3,
Output can be detected.

Further, in the first embodiment, the structure in which the magnetization free layer 4 is used also as the lower yoke is shown, but the same effect can be obtained even when the magnetization free layer 4 is used also as the upper yoke. Needless to say.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the thin-film magnetic head according to the embodiment. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, an insulating layer 10
Are formed, and a first lower yoke 42 and a second lower yoke 43 are formed thereon. The gap is formed so as to be bridged by the magnetization free layer 41.

On the magnetization free layer 41, the nonmagnetic conductor layer 5,
A magnetization fixed layer 6 and an antiferromagnetic layer 7 are sequentially stacked,
It functions as the MR element 3. Also, on the magnetization free layer 41,
The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 8 are formed so as to sandwich the nonmagnetic conductor layer 5, the magnetization fixed layer 6, and the antiferromagnetic layer 7 from both sides.

The first lower yoke 42 has one end magnetically insulated from the upper yoke 12 at the front gap portion 9 through a magnetic gap formed of the non-magnetic material 11, and the other end at the other end. It is magnetically coupled to the magnetization free layer 41 of the GMR element 3.

One end of the second lower yoke 43 is GM
It is magnetically coupled to the magnetization free layer 41 of the R element 3, and the other end is magnetically coupled to the upper yoke 12.

Accordingly, the magnetization free layer 41 of the GMR element 3
Are formed up to a region overlapping with the first lower yoke 42 and the second lower yoke 43.

Then, the front gap section 9, the first lower yoke 42, the magnetization free layer 41, the second lower yoke 43, and the upper yoke 12 constitute a magnetic circuit.

The magnetization of the magnetization fixed layer 6 is fixed by the antiferromagnetic layer 7, and the magnetization of the magnetization free layer 41 is oriented in the track width direction in the absence of a magnetic field and has a soft magnetic property. This is the same as the thin-film magnetic head shown in the first embodiment.

A sense current is applied to the GMR element 3 by the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 8 in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element and in the horizontal direction with respect to the magnetic recording medium 13 from which information can be read. This is also the same as the thin film magnetic head shown in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the thin-film magnetic head constructed as described above during reproduction will be described.

The thin-film magnetic head is opposed to the magnetic recording medium 13 at the front gap section 9, and the signal magnetic flux induced by the magnetization state of the magnetic recording medium 13 is transmitted from the front gap section 9 to the first lower yoke 42. The magnetic circuit flows to the magnetization free layer 41, the second lower yoke 43, the upper yoke 12, and the front gap section 9 (or in the opposite direction).

The signal magnetic flux applied to the magnetic circuit from the magnetic recording medium 13 flows through the first lower yoke 42 and is applied only to the magnetization free layer 41.

Therefore, in the GMR element 3, the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium 13 all flows through the magnetization free layer 41 without shunting, and according to the magnitude of the signal magnetic flux, the magnetic flux of the magnetization free layer 41 The magnetization direction changes, and the magnetization fixed layer 6 is changed.
, The relative angle of the magnetization changes, and as a result, the resistance value of the GMR element 3 changes. Then, a current is applied to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 8 to detect the change in the resistance value.

As described above, in the thin-film magnetic head according to the second embodiment of the present invention, almost all of the magnetic flux induced from the magnetic recording medium 13 into the magnetic circuit flows through the magnetization free layer 41, so that the magnetic recording medium 13 is high. A reproduction output can be obtained.

Further, in the thin-film magnetic head according to the second embodiment, by forming the first lower yoke 42 and the second lower yoke 43, compared with the thin-film magnetic head according to the first embodiment. Thus, the magnetic resistance of the entire magnetic circuit can be reduced.

Thus, the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium 13 can be more efficiently guided to the magnetic circuit.
Since the signal magnetic flux flowing into the magnetization free layer 41 can be further increased, there is an effect that a higher reproduction output can be obtained as compared with the first embodiment.

Further, if the size of the magnetization fixed layer 6 is formed smaller than the distance between the first lower yoke 42 and the second lower yoke 43, the size of the first lower yoke 42 and the magnetization free layer 41 can be reduced. Since there is no magnetization fixed layer 6 in the lap portion and in the region of the overlap portion between the second lower yoke 43 and the magnetization free layer 41, not only does not show a resistance change but also no current flows for resistance value detection. Therefore, the output of the GMR element 3 also has the effect of efficiently detecting only the resistance change in only the region of the magnetization free layer 41 where the magnetization fixed layer 6 is stacked.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same effect can be obtained even if the magnetization free layer 41 is formed from the front gap 9 to the region magnetically contacting the rear upper yoke 12. Needless to say,

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of a thin-film magnetic head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 8 are configured to apply a constant current to the GMR element 3, but in the third embodiment, As shown in FIG. 3, the first lower yoke 52 is also used as the first electrode 2, and the second lower yoke 53 is also used as the second electrode 8. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The operation is the same as the operation of the thin-film magnetic head shown in the second embodiment.

With this configuration, the number of electrode forming steps in manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head can be reduced, and manufacturing can be facilitated.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a thin-film magnetic head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, an insulating layer 14 is provided at a portion where the upper yoke 12 and the magnetization free layer 4 are magnetically coupled at the rear of the thin-film magnetic head. This insulating layer 14
Al ₂ O ₃ was used as a material for the above.

In such a configuration, the upper yoke 1
2, the magnetic resistance between the magnetization free layer 4 and the upper yoke 12 is increased because the magnetic resistance between the magnetization free layer 4 and the upper yoke 12 is reduced. By making the facing area of the part sufficiently large,
Since the increase in the magnetic resistance between the upper yoke 12 and the magnetization free layer 4 can be prevented, the effect of obtaining a large reproduction output remains the same as in the thin-film magnetic head shown in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the sense current is applied to the GMR element 3 in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element 3 and in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic recording medium 13 from which information can be read. As shown in FIG. 4B, which is a cross-sectional view taken along a chain line A in (A), the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 2
2 are formed on both sides of the GMR element 3 in the track width direction,
According to the present invention, even if the sense current applied to the GMR element 3 flows in the track width direction, the sense current flows through the upper yoke 12 because the insulating layer exists between the upper yoke 12 and the magnetization free layer 4. Since the signal is efficiently applied to the GMR element 3 without leakage, the effect of obtaining a high reproduction signal remains unchanged.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first lower yoke 5
2. When the second lower yoke 53 is formed, the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit is reduced as in the third embodiment,
Since the signal magnetic field of the magnetic recording medium 13 can be efficiently guided to the magnetic circuit, it goes without saying that a higher reproduction output can be obtained.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the magnetization free layer of the GMR element is formed as a part of the magnetic circuit, and the sense current for detecting the electric resistance is supplied in the direction of the film surface of the GMR element. By applying the information in the perpendicular direction to the magnetic recording medium from which the information is read, it is possible to efficiently apply the signal magnetic flux from the magnetic recording medium to the GMR element and efficiently detect the output from the GMR element. A high-output thin-film magnetic head can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a thin-film magnetic head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a thin-film magnetic head according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a thin-film magnetic head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a thin-film magnetic head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional thin film magnetic head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 substrate 2 first electrode 3 GMR element 4 magnetization free layer 5 nonmagnetic conductor layer 6 magnetization fixed layer 7 antiferromagnetic layer 8 second electrode 9 front gap 10 insulating layer 11 nonmagnetic material 12 upper yoke 13 magnetism Recording medium 14 Insulating layer 21 First electrode 22 Second electrode 41 Magnetization free layer 42 First lower yoke 43 Second lower yoke 52 First lower yoke 53 Second lower yoke 61 Non-magnetic material 62 Yoke 63 Nonmagnetic conductor layer 64 Magnetic layer 65 Antiferromagnetic layer 66 GMR element 67 Magnetic recording medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Abane 1006 Kazuma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic circuit in series with a yoke made of a magnetic material and a magnetization free layer, wherein the magnetic circuit has a magnetic gap, and is provided on at least a part of a region of the magnetization free layer.
A spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer, and a pair of electrodes for detecting a change in resistance of the spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element. Provided, a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element, in the direction of the film surface of the spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element, and with respect to a magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. A thin film magnetic head characterized in that a voltage is applied in a vertical direction. 2. A first yoke made of a magnetic material, a second yoke connected to the first yoke via a magnetic gap at one end, and a second yoke connected to the first yoke at the other end.
A spin valve type giant magnetoresistive element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a non-magnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of a region of the second yoke; A pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the giant magnetoresistive element of the spin-valve type; and a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the giant magnetoresistive element of the spin-valve type. A thin-film magnetic head which is applied in a direction of a film surface of an effect element and in a direction perpendicular to a magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. A first yoke made of a magnetic material; a second yoke made of a magnetic material connected to the first yoke via a magnetic gap at one end of the first yoke; A third yoke made of a magnetic material and connected to the first yoke at the other end of the first yoke; and a magnetization free layer bridging between the second yoke and the third yoke. A spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a non-magnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of a region of the magnetization free layer; A pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the resistance effect element; a magnetic circuit in series with the first yoke, the second yoke, the third yoke, and the magnetization free layer; Forming the spin valve type giant magnetoresistance effect A thin film characterized in that a sense current for detecting an electric resistance of the element is applied in a film surface direction of the spin valve type giant magnetoresistive element and in a direction perpendicular to a magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. Magnetic head. 4. A magnetic device, comprising: a first yoke made of a magnetic material; one end connected to the first yoke via a magnetic gap; and the other end connected to the first yoke via an insulating layer. A second yoke made of a body, and a spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element is formed by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of a region of the second yoke. A pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element; and a sense current for detecting the electric resistance of the spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element. A thin-film magnetic head which is applied in a film surface direction of a valve type giant magnetoresistive element and in a horizontal direction to a magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. 5. A first yoke made of a magnetic material, a second yoke made of a magnetic material connected to the first yoke via a magnetic gap at one end of the first yoke, At the other end of the first yoke, a third yoke made of a magnetic material and connected to the first yoke via an insulating layer, and bridging between the second yoke and the third yoke. A spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element by sequentially laminating at least a nonmagnetic conductor layer and a magnetization fixed layer on at least a part of the region of the magnetization free layer, A pair of electrodes for detecting a change in the resistance value of the spin-valve giant magnetoresistive element; a first yoke, a second yoke, a third yoke, and the magnetization free layer; Forming a magnetic circuit in series with the spin valve type A sense current for detecting an electric resistance of the magnetoresistive element is applied in a film surface direction of the spin valve type giant magnetoresistive element and in a horizontal direction to a magnetic recording medium from which information can be read. Thin-film magnetic head. 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the pair of electrodes is also used as one of the second yoke and the third yoke. A thin-film magnetic head according to any of the above items. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pair of electrodes are connected to the second yoke,
6. The thin-film magnetic head according to claim 4, wherein said third yoke also serves as said third yoke.