Abstract: A reader of a magnetic recording head includes a sensor stack, a first side shield and a second side shield disposed on opposite sides of the sensor stack in a cross-track dimension, and a bridge. The bridge is configured to align magnetic moments of the first side shield and the second side shield. The bridge is disposed above the sensor stack relative to a media-facing surface of the magnetic recording head and proximate to the first side shield and the second side shield.

Abstract: A reader of a magnetic recording head includes a sensor stack, a first side shield and a second side shield disposed on opposite sides of the sensor stack in a cross-track dimension, and a bridge. The bridge is configured to align magnetic moments of the first side shield and the second side shield. The bridge is disposed above the sensor stack relative to a media-facing surface of the magnetic recording head and proximate to the first side shield and the second side shield.

Abstract: A reader includes a bearing surface and a free layer having a front surface that forms a portion of the bearing surface. The reader also includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure below the free layer, the SAF structure has a narrow portion with a front surface that forms a portion of the bearing surface and a wide portion behind the narrow portion. The reader further includes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer in contact with the wide portion of the SAF structure. The SAF structure is configured to prevent switching from one magnetic state to another magnetic state in the wide portion under thermal fluctuations.

Abstract: A reader having a sensor stack and a top shield above the sensor stack. The top shield has an upper surface and a lower surface. The reader also includes at least one side shield below the top shield and adjacent to the sensor stack. The reader further includes a decoupling layer between the upper surface of the top shield and the at least one side shield. The decoupling layer is configured to decouple a first portion of the at least one side shield, proximate to the sensor stack, from at least a portion of the top shield.

Abstract: A reader having a sensor stack and a top shield above the sensor stack. The top shield has an upper surface and a lower surface. The reader also includes at least one side shield below the top shield and adjacent to the sensor stack. The reader further includes a decoupling layer between the upper surface of the top shield and the at least one side shield. The decoupling layer is configured to decouple a first portion of the at least one side shield, proximate to the sensor stack, from at least a portion of the top shield.

Abstract: A recording head that includes a reader having a front end at a bearing surface of the recording head and a rear end behind the bearing surface. The reader has a non-rectangular shape with a front-end width that is less than an average width of the reader. A first bias element is positioned proximate to a first side of the reader, and a second bias element is positioned proximate to a second side of the reader. Each of the first and second bias elements has a bias level that is a function of a ratio of the front-end width to the average width of the reader.

Abstract: A reader having a sensor stack and a top shield above the sensor stack. The top shield has an upper surface and a lower surface. The reader also includes at least one side shield below the top shield and adjacent to the sensor stack. The reader further includes a decoupling layer between the upper surface of the top shield and the at least one side shield. The decoupling layer is configured to decouple a first portion of the at least one side shield, proximate to the sensor stack, from at least a portion of the top shield.

Abstract: A reader includes a free layer and a side shield that biases the free layer. The side shield includes a main bias layer having a first magnetic moment value and a first magnetization direction. The side shield also includes a compensation bias layer having a second magnetic moment value that is less than the first magnetic moment value and a second magnetization direction that is opposite to the first magnetization direction.

Abstract: A reader having a sensor stack and a top shield above the sensor stack. The top shield has an upper surface and a lower surface. The reader also includes at least one side shield below the top shield and adjacent to the sensor stack. The reader further includes a decoupling layer between the upper surface of the top shield and the at least one side shield. The decoupling layer is configured to decouple a first portion of the at least one side shield, proximate to the sensor stack, from at least a portion of the top shield.

Abstract: A recording head that includes a reader having a front end at a bearing surface of the recording head and a rear end behind the bearing surface. The reader has a non-rectangular shape with a front-end width that is less than an average width of the reader. A first bias element is positioned proximate to a first side of the reader, and a second bias element is positioned proximate to a second side of the reader. Each of the first and second bias elements has a bias level that is a function of a ratio of the front-end width to the average width of the reader.

Abstract: A reader having a sensor stack and a top shield above the sensor stack. The top shield has an upper surface and a lower surface. The reader also includes at least one side shield below the top shield and adjacent to the sensor stack. The reader further includes a decoupling layer between the upper surface of the top shield and the at least one side shield. The decoupling layer is configured to decouple a first portion of the at least one side shield, proximate to the sensor stack, from at least a portion of the top shield.

Abstract: A hybrid dual reader. The hybrid dual reader includes first and second read sensors with conflicting design characteristics. The first read sensor includes at least one signal-to-noise ratio favoring design characteristic. The second read sensor includes at least one pulse width favoring design characteristic. The at least one signal-to-noise ratio favoring design characteristic is in conflict with the at least one pulse width favoring design characteristic.

Abstract: A reader having a sensor stack and a top shield above the sensor stack. The top shield has an upper surface and a lower surface. The reader also includes at least one side shield below the top shield and adjacent to the sensor stack. The reader further includes a decoupling layer between the upper surface of the top shield and the at least one side shield. The decoupling layer is configured to decouple a first portion of the at least one side shield, proximate to the sensor stack, from at least a portion of the top shield.

Abstract: A multi-sensor reader includes first and second read sensors. The first read sensor includes a first sensor stack including a sensing layer having a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field, and a first biasing component configured to magnetically bias the sensing layer of the first sensor stack in a first direction. The second read sensor includes a second sensor stack including a sensing layer having a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field, and a second biasing component configured to magnetically bias the sensing layer of the second sensor stack in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors that are substantially trapezoidal in shape. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors that are substantially trapezoidal in shape. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors that are substantially trapezoidal in shape. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

Abstract: A multi-sensor reader that includes a first sensor that has a first sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field. The first sensor also includes a first seed layer below the first sensor stack. The multi-sensor reader also includes a second sensor stacked over the first sensor. The second sensor includes a second sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to the external magnetic field. The second sensor also includes a second seed layer below the second sensor stack. A stabilization element is included to maintain a magnetization direction of the second seed layer and to stabilize the second seed layer.