Magnetic head, fabrication method therefor, and perpendicular magnetic storage device

A magnetic head is configured by forming a thin-film-shaped magnetic element on top of a thin film that is provided parallel to a medium-facing surface. An aperture is formed in the thin film, and part of a main magnetic pole is formed to have a tip portion that protrudes into that aperture. This configuration makes it possible to impose highly accurate control over the amount by which thin-film-shaped magnetic elements are recessed from the medium-facing surface, while simultaneously exerting accurate control over the amount of protrusion of the main magnetic pole tip portion by making the thickness of the thin film extremely small. As a result, the recording flux strength at the main magnetic pole tip portion can be increased to the ultimate value thereof, making it possible to supply a head that can record on a high retention force medium suitable for higher densities.