Abstract: A reader having a bearing surface, a free layer, and a free layer biasing structure. The free layer biasing structure includes at least one side shield that applies a first bias field level to a front portion of the free layer that is nearest to the bearing surface and applies a second bias field level to a rear portion of the free layer that is farthest from the bearing surface. The second bias field level is greater than the first bias field level.

Abstract: A reader having a bearing surface, a free layer, and a free layer biasing structure. The free layer biasing structure includes at least one side shield that applies a first bias field level to a front portion of the free layer that is nearest to the bearing surface and applies a second bias field level to a rear portion of the free layer that is farthest from the bearing surface. The second bias field level is greater than the first bias field level.

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 element 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 element below the second sensor stack. The second seed element is structurally different from the first seed element and includes a stabilization feature.

Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein includes a sensor with a free layer having cross-track easy axis anisotropy.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein include a reader comprising a magnetically free layer and first barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is in direct contact with a bottom shield in a down-track direction. Another implementation includes a device comprising a sensor stack comprising a free layer and a barrier layer; a synthetic antiferromagnetic shield layer comprising a reference layer and a pinned layer, wherein direction of magnetization of the reference layer forms an obtuse angle with direction of magnetization of the free layer in a quiescent state.

Abstract: A stack having a seed layer structure with a first part having a first cross-track width and a free layer deposited over the seed layer structure and with a second cross-track width, wherein the first cross-track width is greater than the second cross-track width. In one implementation, the seed layer structure further comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer and a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer. In one alternate implementation, the cross-track width of the seed layer structure is substantially equal to the combined cross-track width of the free layer and cross-track width of two permanent magnets.

Abstract: A read head includes a bottom shield configured as a bottom electrical contact. A bottom reader stack is disposed on and electrically coupled to the bottom shield. A middle electrical contact is electrically coupled to a top layer of the bottom reader stack. A top reader stack is disposed on the bottom reader stack. A bottom layer of the top reader stack electrically coupled to the middle electrical contact. A top shield is configured as a top electrical contact. The top shield is disposed on and electrically coupled to the top reader stack.

Abstract: A reader sensor having a composite shield and a sensor stack. The composite shield includes a high magnetic moment layer having a magnetic moment greater than 1.0 T, a low magnetic moment layer, and a spacer therebetween. The high magnetic moment layer is closer to the stack than the low magnetic moment layer. The high magnetic moment layer may be a single layer or have a plurality of layers.

Abstract: A reader sensor having a composite shield and a sensor stack. The composite shield includes a high magnetic moment layer having a magnetic moment greater than 1.0 T, a low magnetic moment layer, and a spacer therebetween. The high magnetic moment layer is closer to the stack than the low magnetic moment layer. The high magnetic moment layer may be a single layer or have a plurality of layers.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a stacked dual reader with a bottom sensor stack and a top sensor stack separated by a top mid-shield and a bottom mid-shield, and a pre-amplifier circuit comprising a top lead connected to the top mid-shield, configured to collect current flowing from the top mid-shield through the top sensor stack opposite a direction of current flowing from the bottom mid-shield to a bottom lead through the bottom sensor stack.

Abstract: A reader sensor having a composite shield and a sensor stack. The composite shield includes a high magnetic moment layer having a magnetic moment greater than 1.0 T, a low magnetic moment layer, and a spacer therebetween. The high magnetic moment layer is closer to the stack than the low magnetic moment layer. The high magnetic moment layer may be a single layer or have a plurality of layers.

Abstract: A sensor structure that has a sensor stack comprising a recessed AFM layer, a combined pinned layer/reference layer (PL/RL) directly on the AFM layer, a free layer (FL), and a barrier layer between the PL/RL and the FL. All the magnetic layers between the AFM layer and the FL have substantially the same magnetic orientation. The sensor structure includes a top shield and a front bottom shield adjacent to the recessed AFM layer.

Abstract: A reader sensor having a composite shield and a sensor stack. The composite shield includes a high magnetic moment layer having a magnetic moment greater than 1.0 T, a low magnetic moment layer, and a spacer therebetween. The high magnetic moment layer is closer to the stack than the low magnetic moment layer. The high magnetic moment layer may be a single layer or have a plurality of layers.

Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein includes a sensor stack including a first layer and an AFM stabilized bottom shield in proximity to the first layer, wherein the AFM stabilized bottom shield is magnetically coupled to the first layer. The apparatus reduces shield-to-shield spacing. The pinned layer of the bottom shield and a pinned layer of the sensor stack are stabilized using the AFM layer in the bottom shield. In one implementation, the bottom shield is made of the SAF structure, with the top layer of the structure adjacent to a pinned layer in the sensor stack.

Abstract: A magnetic element may be configured with at least a magnetic stack having first and second magnetically free layers that each has a predetermined stripe height from an air bearing surface (ABS). The first and second magnetically free layers can respectively be configured with first and second uniaxial anisotropies that are crossed in relation to the ABS and angled in response to the predetermined stripe height.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a stacked dual reader with a bottom sensor stack and a top sensor stack separated by a top mid-shield and a bottom mid-shield, and a pre-amplifier circuit comprising a top lead connected to the top mid-shield, configured to collect current flowing from the top mid-shield through the top sensor stack opposite a direction of current flowing from the bottom mid-shield to a bottom lead through the bottom sensor stack.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a dual reader wherein a bottom shield is attached to side shields.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a stacked dual reader with a bottom sensor stack and a top sensor stack wherein the bottom sensor stack and the top sensor stack are mirrored along a down-track direction.

Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein comprises a magnetically free layer and a bottom shield, wherein a first portion of the bottom shield substantially adjacent the free layer is pinned perpendicular to an air-bearing surface (ABS) of the apparatus and a second portion of the bottom shield not substantially adjacent the free layer is pinned parallel to the ABS of the apparatus.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a stacked dual reader with a bottom sensor stack and a top sensor stack wherein the bottom sensor stack and the top sensor stack are mirrored along a down-track direction.