Thin film magnetic head using a shunt line connecting to the magnetic layer at a position that deviates from the center of the heat generating region
A thin film magnetic head is disclosed that is capable of improving the thermal efficiency of a heater. A thin film magnetic head includes: a lower shield layer; an upper shield layer; a reproducing element that is provided between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer; a recording element that is formed on the upper shield layer; a heater that generates heat to expand at least one of the reproducing element and the recording element such that the reproducing element and/or the recording element protrude toward a recording medium; and a shunt line that applies a reference potential that is equal to the potentials of the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer to a magnetic layer of the recording element. In the thin film magnetic head, the shunt line is connected to the magnetic layer of the recording element at a position that deviates from the center of a heat generating region of the heater in a track width direction.
1. A thin film magnetic head comprising:
a lower shield layer;
an upper shield layer;
a reproducing element that is provided between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer;
a recording element that is disposed on the upper shield layer;
a heater that generates heat to expand at least one of the reproducing element and the recording element such that the reproducing element and/or the recording element protrude toward a recording medium; and
a shunt line that applies a reference potential that is equal to the potentials of the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer to a magnetic layer of the recording element,
wherein the shunt line is connected to the magnetic layer of the recording element at a position that deviates from the center of a heat generating region of the heater in a track width direction.
2. The thin film magnetic head according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shunt line is connected to the magnetic layer of the recording element outside the heat generating region of the heater in the track width direction.
3. The thin film magnetic head according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shunt line is connected to the magnetic layer of the recording element at a position that is spaced from an edge of the heat generating region of the heater in the track width direction by a distance that is equal to or longer than half of the length of the heat generating region in the track width direction.
4. The thin film magnetic head according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shunt line extends from a rear portion of the magnetic layer of the recording element in a height direction.
5. The thin film magnetic head according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shunt line is connected to an edge of the magnetic layer of the recording element in the track width direction.
6. The thin film magnetic head according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shunt line is formed of a non-magnetic metal material.