Self aligned lapping guide for inductive record heads

Claim 1

In a thin-film inductive magnetic head structure of the type that comprises A. a substrate B. first and second layers on said substrate and forming first and second poles spaced apart to define a transducer gap therebetween, and C. first non-magnetic layer means that supports the first of said magnetic pole layers, said non-magnetic layer means being inclined toward, and in the vicinity of, said transducer gap, the improvement of a complementary structure to the side of said head structure, said complementary structure comprising a. a layer of electrically conductive material and b. second non-magnetic, non-electrically conducting, layer means disposed over said layer of electrically conductive material, said second non-magnetic, non-electrically conducting layer means being so inclined toward said transducer gap that it, when projected, forms with a projection of the incline of said first non-magnetic layer means, a V-like groove, the apex of which coincides with a gap depth defining edge of said layer of electrically conductive material, whereby as said complementary structure is worn away, as by lapping or wear, the conductivity of said layer of conductive material correspondes as an accurate analog of the depth of said gap.