A magnetic head testing apparatus having the function of evaluating pin
holes in a tunnel barrier layer of a TMR element by a non destructive
inspection is disclosed. The testing apparatus comprises a temperature
control unit which sets a circumferential temperature of a TMR element, a
bias electric current control unit which applies an electric current for
measuring a resistance value, an element resistance measuring unit and a
CPU which calculates a temperature coefficient. The CPU determines a pin
hole state in the tunnel barrier layer based on the temperature
coefficient.