On a first magnetic layer 27, is formed a ring-shaped insulating layer 28
whose air bearing surface side edge defines a reference position for a
throat height, and after forming a write gap layer 29, a second magnetic
layer 30 is formed such that the second magnetic layer extends over the
ring-shaped insulating layer 28. The write gap layer is selectively
removed by performing an etching process using the second magnetic layer
as a mask, and then the first magnetic layer is partially removed over a
part of its thickness to form a trim structure. After forming a thin film
coil 33, 35 within the ring-shaped insulating layer, a third magnetic
layer is formed to be brought into contact with a rear portion of the
second magnetic layer 31. The third magnetic layer may be contacted with
a surface, a surface and side walls or a surface, side walls and an end
surface of rear portion of the second magnetic layer. In the thin film
magnetic head, a pole chip defining a track width is narrow, magnetic
flux saturation and leakage of magnetic flux can be suppressed in spite
of a short throat height, and a high recording efficiency can be
attained. The invention provides a method of manufacturing easily the
thin film magnetic head having such superior performance with a high
yield.