A lower shield layer and an upper shield layer are formed to have a planar
shape, and a detecting element is provided between the lower shield layer
and the upper shield layer. End faces of the upper shield layer may
extend farther in a depthwise direction from a surface facing a recording
medium than end faces of the lower shield layer. A lower conductive
electrode may be disposed directly adjacent to a facing inner surface of
the lower shield layer. An upper conductive electrode may be disposed
adjacent to a portion of the upper shield layer. Therefore, the lower
shield layer and the upper conductive electrode may be insulated from
each other.