According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic head including a first reproducing unit. The first reproducing unit includes a first magnetic field generator separated from the magnetic recording medium in a first direction, and a first stacked body. At least a portion of the first stacked body is provided between the magnetic recording medium and the first magnetic field generator in the first direction. The first stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer separated from the first magnetic layer in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first stacked body performs an operation of generating a first alternating magnetic field. The first magnetic field generator generates a first magnetic field.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a sensor having an active region, a magnetic shield adjacent the active region, and a spacer between the active region and the magnetic shield. The spacer includes an electrically conductive ceramic layer. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a sensor having an active tunnel magnetoresistive region, a magnetic shield adjacent the tunnel magnetoresistive region, and a spacer between the tunnel magnetoresistive region and the magnetic shields. The spacer includes an electrically conductive ceramic layer.

An apparatus has a main pole layer of magnetic material, a second layer of magnetic material, a first gap layer of non-magnetic material between the main pole layer and the second layer of magnetic material, and a second gap layer of non-magnetic material disposed between the main pole layer and the second layer of magnetic material. The second gap layer of non-magnetic material can be directly adjacent to the second layer of magnetic material. In accordance with one embodiment, this allows the gap to serve as a non-magnetic seed for the second layer of magnetic material. A method of manufacturing such a device is also described.

A non-local spin valve (NLSV) sensor includes a bearing surface and a detector located proximate to the bearing surface. The NLSV sensor also includes a channel layer located behind the detector relative to the bearing surface, and in a substantially same plane as the detector. The channel layer has a front end that is proximate to the detector and a rear end that is distal to the detector. The NLSV sensor further includes first and second spin injectors, with the first spin injector located proximate to the rear end of the channel layer and positioned above the channel layer, and the second spin injector located proximate the rear end of the channel layer and positioned below the channel layer.

An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a sensor having an active region, a magnetic shield adjacent the active region, a spacer between the active region and the magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield on an opposite side of the active region as the magnetic shield, and a second spacer between the active region and the second magnetic shield. Both spacers include an electrically conductive ceramic layer. The sensor is an electronic lapping guide.

A non-local spin valve (NLSV) sensor includes a bearing surface and a detector located proximate to the bearing surface. The NLSV sensor also includes a channel layer located behind the detector relative to the bearing surface, and in a substantially same plane as the detector. The channel layer has a front end that is proximate to the detector and a rear end that is distal to the detector. The NLSV sensor further includes first and second spin injectors, with the first spin injector located proximate to the rear end of the channel layer and positioned above the channel layer, and the second spin injector located proximate the rear end of the channel layer and positioned below the channel layer.

An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a sensor having an active region, a magnetic shield adjacent the active region, a spacer between the active region and the magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield on an opposite side of the active region as the magnetic shield, and a second spacer between the active region and the second magnetic shield. Both spacers include an electrically conductive ceramic layer. The sensor is an electronic lapping guide.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a sensor having an active region, a magnetic shield adjacent the active region, a spacer between the active region and the magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield on an opposite side of the active region as the magnetic shield, and a second spacer between the active region and the second magnetic shield. Both spacers include an electrically conductive ceramic layer. The electrically conductive ceramic layer of the spacer has a different composition than the electrically conductive ceramic layer of the second spacer.

A transducing head having a media-facing surface includes a transducer element, a bottom shield positioned below the transducer element, a heater element positioned below the bottom shield, a heat transfer block positioned below the heater element, and a push block assembly. A first portion of the push block assembly is positioned below a bottom edge of the bottom shield, and a second portion of the push block assembly is located behind the bottom shield relative to the media-facing surface of the transducing head and extends above the bottom edge of the bottom shield, with the first and second portions of the push block assembly spaced from each other. The second portion of the push block assembly overlaps the heater element, and the heater element is positioned between the heat transfer block and at least the second portion of the push block assembly.

A method includes depositing a plurality of layers over a substrate. The layers include read sensor layers and an electrically conductive layer substantially coplanar with the read sensor layers and substantially surrounding the read sensor layers. The electrically conductive layer is in contact with at least one of the read sensor layers. The electrically conductive layer provides an electrical path between the at least one of the read sensor layers and ground. The method further includes forming an isolation structure around the read sensor layers by removing a portion of the electrically conductive layer substantially surrounding the read sensor layers. The isolation structure is substantially coplanar with the read sensor layers and substantially surrounds the read sensor layers. The isolation structure breaks the electrical path between the at least one of the read sensor layers and the ground.