Abstract: An apparatus includes a read sensor having a trilayer synthetic ferrimagnet free layer and at least one side shield positioned proximate to the trilayer synthetic ferrimagnet free layer. The at least one side shield provides a bias magnetic field in a first direction to bias the trilayer synthetic ferrimagnet free layer.

Abstract: A reader includes a bearing surface and a free layer having a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface of the free layer forms a portion of the bearing surface. The reader also includes a compensating layer behind the rear surface of the free layer. The reader further includes a tunnel barrier layer below the free layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a read sensor having a trilayer synthetic ferrimagnet free layer and at least one side shield positioned proximate to the trilayer synthetic ferrimagnet free layer. The at least one side shield provides a bias magnetic field in a first direction to bias the trilayer synthetic ferrimagnet free layer.

Abstract: A read sensor having a bearing surface and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer recessed from the bearing surface. The read sensor includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure over the AFM layer. The SAF structure includes a recessed lower pinned layer, an upper pinned layer, a reference layer and a stabilization feature. The stabilization feature may include deliberate reduction of the antiferromagnetic coupling energy density between the upper pinned layer and the reference layer, so that it becomes lower than the first energy density of antiferromagnetic coupling between the upper pinned layer and the lower pinned layer. The stabilization feature may alternatively include an intermediate pinned layer between the lower pinned layer and the upper pinned layer. The intermediate pinned layer is antiferromagnetically coupled to both the lower pinned layer and the upper pinned layer, and at least a portion of the intermediate pinned layer is recessed behind the bearing surface.