Abstract: A transducer for servoing on data or separate servo information is fabricated with two adjacent magnetoresistive (MR) elements stagger connected such that each MR element senses one-half of the data magnetic transition track or separate coded servo tracks. Each MR element is magnetostatically biased by a soft magnetic film formed as a portion of its adjacent MR element material.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensing element used for sensing magnetic transitions includes relatively thick shields and substantially thinner shields between the thick shields and the MR element. The output pulse waveform resulting from the MR element sensing a magnetic transition is improved permitting a higher linear density. The thick shields can comprise the legs of an inductive write transducer with the thin shields and MR element interposed for the read function. Another read/write head embodiment can include a separate write tranducer with the thin shields and the MR element placed between one of the legs of a write transducer and a third magnetic shield formed from either a thick magnetic layer or a magnetic substrate.