Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along a read module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes: a sensor structure having a cap layer, a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a reference layer and an antiferromagnetic layer, and electrically insulating layers on opposite sides of the sensor structure. Moreover, a height of the free layer measured in a direction perpendicular to a media bearing surface of the read module is less than a width of the free layer measured in a cross-track direction perpendicular to an intended direction of media travel.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a transducer structure having: a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and one of the shields, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the one of the shields. The upper and lower shields provide magnetic shielding. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer. A width of the electrical lead layer in a cross-track direction is greater than the width of a free layer of the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a plurality of first circuits, each first circuit comprising a pair of terminals coupled to a first read transducer and a first parallel circuit. A terminal resistance of each first circuit is less than the resistance of the first read transducer thereof. A second circuit has a pair of terminals that are coupled to a second read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. An area of a tunnel barrier portion of the second read transducer is larger than an area of a tunnel barrier portion of each of the first read transducers. A resistivity of a tunnel barrier of each of the first read transducers is about the same as a resistivity of a tunnel barrier layer of the second read transducer. The terminal resistance of each first circuit is less than about five times a terminal resistance of the second circuit.

Abstract: A tape drive, according to one embodiment, includes: a magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head. The magnetic head further includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor above the lower shield, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and the lower shield, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the lower shield. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer. Moreover, the electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a first read transducer having a tunnel valve structure, and a second read transducer coupled to the first read transducer. The second read transducer has a tunnel valve structure as well, but the tunnel valve structure of the first read transducer has a different resistivity than the tunnel valve structure of the second read transducer. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes an array of first read transducers, each first read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. At least a second read transducer is coupled to the first read transducers, the second read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. The tunnel valve structure of the first read transducer has a different resistivity than the tunnel valve structure of the second read transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having an array of first read transducers each having a tunnel valve structure and a second read transducer coupled to the array of first read transducers, the second read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. The apparatus also includes a controller, and a cable coupling the read transducers to the controller, thereby forming a plurality of circuits extending from the controller, each circuit corresponding to one of the transducers. Resistances of the circuits are about the same.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a tape head having: a write module, a read module, and a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along the read module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes: a sensor structure, an upper and lower magnetic shield, an upper conducting spacer layer between the sensor structure and the upper magnetic shield, a lower conducting spacer layer between the sensor structure and the lower magnetic shield, and electrically insulating layers opposite the sensor structure. The sensor structure includes a cap layer, a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a reference layer and antiferromagnetic layer. A height of the free layer measured in a direction perpendicular to a media bearing surface of the read module is less than a width of the free layer measured in a cross-track direction perpendicular to an intended direction of media travel.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of magnetic read transducers each having a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, magnetic shields on opposite sides of the sensor in an intended direction of media travel thereacross, and a stabilizing layered structure between at least one of the magnetic shields and the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure has an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer adjacent the antiferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer. The antiferromagnetic layer pins a magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer along an antiferromagnetic polarized direction of the antiferromagnetic layer. An antiparallel coupling layer is positioned between the ferromagnetic layers such that a magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer is opposite the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a transducer structure having: a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and one of the shields, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the one of the shields. The upper and lower shields provide magnetic shielding. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer. A width of the electrical lead layer in a cross-track direction is greater than the width of a free layer of the sensor.

Abstract: A tape drive, according to one embodiment, includes: a magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head. The magnetic head further includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor above the lower shield, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and the lower shield, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the lower shield. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer. Moreover, the electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of magnetic transducers each having: a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, and a stabilizing layered structure adjacent the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and an antiparallel coupling layer between the ferromagnetic layers. Each transducer also includes an electrical lead layer positioned between the sensor and the stabilizing layered structure. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. Each transducer also includes a spacer layer between the respective electrical lead layer and the stabilizing layered structure. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having a lower shield and/or an upper shield. A current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor is positioned adjacent the shield(s). An electrical lead layer is positioned between the sensor and the upper or lower shield. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A spacer layer is positioned between the electrical lead layer and the upper or lower shield. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of transducer structures arranged along a tape bearing surface of a common module. Each transducer structure includes a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, at least one lead, and an insulating layer between the at least one lead and the shield closest thereto. The at least one lead is selected from a group including an upper electrical lead between the sensor and the upper shield, and a lower electrical lead between the sensor and the lower shield. The at least one lead is in electrical communication with the sensor. A width of one or more of the at least one lead in a cross track direction is about equal to a width of the sensor.

Abstract: One general embodiment includes an array of magnetic transducers each having: a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, magnetic shields on opposite sides of the sensor, and a stabilizing layered structure between at least one of the magnetic shields and the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer adjacent the antiferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and an antiparallel coupling layer between the ferromagnetic layers. The antiferromagnetic layer pins a magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer along an antiferromagnetic polarized direction of the antiferromagnetic layer. A magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer is opposite the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer. Each transducer also includes spacers on opposite sides of the sensor, at least one of the spacers being positioned between the sensor and the stabilizing layered structure.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having a lower shield and/or an upper shield. A current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor is positioned adjacent the shield(s). An electrical lead layer is positioned between the sensor and the upper or lower shield. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A spacer layer is positioned between the electrical lead layer and the upper or lower shield. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of magnetic read transducers each having a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, magnetic shields on opposite sides of the sensor in an intended direction of media travel thereacross, and a stabilizing layered structure between at least one of the magnetic shields and the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure has an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer adjacent the antiferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer. The antiferromagnetic layer pins a magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer along an antiferromagnetic polarized direction of the antiferromagnetic layer. An antiparallel coupling layer is positioned between the ferromagnetic layers such that a magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer is opposite the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, and an insulating layer between the at least one lead and the shield closest thereto. At least one lead is selected from a group including: an upper electrical lead between the sensor and the upper shield and a lower electrical lead between the sensor and the lower shield. The at least one lead is in electrical communication with the sensor. A width of one or more of the at least one lead in a cross track direction is about equal to a width of the sensor.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes an array of magnetic transducers each having: a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, shields for providing magnetic shielding, and a stabilizing layered structure between at least one of the shields and the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer adjacent the antiferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and an antiparallel coupling layer between the ferromagnetic layers. A magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer is opposite the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer. Each transducer also includes an electrical lead layer positioned between the sensor and the stabilizing layered structure and in electrical communication with the sensor. Each transducer also includes a spacer layer between the respective electrical lead layer and the stabilizing layered structure.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield having recesses in an upper surface thereof; an upper shield formed above the lower shield; a sensor between the upper and lower shields, the recesses being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor; and a first insulating layer in the recesses in the upper surface of the lower shield. An upper surface of the first insulating layer is coplanar with an uppermost portion of the upper surface of the lower shield. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield having recesses in an upper surface thereof; an upper shield formed above the lower shield, the upper shield having recesses in a lower surface thereof; a sensor between the shields, the recesses being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor; and insulating layers in the recesses in the shields.

Abstract: A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.