Abstract: A magnetoresistive read transducer includes a magnetoresistive (MR) layer having end regions spaced by a central active region. A pair of hard magnetic layers provide longitudinal magnetic bias to the MR layer, with each of the hard magnetic bias layers disposed in contact with one of the end regions of the MR layer. A pair of electrical lead members are disposed in contact with the end regions of the MR layer and with the hard magnetic bias layers. The hard magnetic bias layers and the electrical lead members are deposited, followed by selective removal of portions of the lead members to expose the edges of the hard bias material.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive transducer is formed with a trilayer structure including a soft adjacent magnetic layer (SAL), a spacer layer and a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element. The SAL and part of the spacer layer extend continuously across the transducer structure. The MR sensor element has end portions that partially abut hard permanent magnetic (PM) films and partially abut conductive leads formed over the PM films. The transducer structure minimizes the problem of electrical shorting and achieves significant improvements in magnetic performance of the active MR region and signal readout.