Patent ID: 9042062
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetoresistive sensor, comprising: first and second magnetic shields; a sensor stack sandwiched between the first and second magnetic shields, the sensor stack including a pinned layer structure, a free layer structure and a non-magnetic layer sandwiched between the pinned layer structure and the free layer structure, the free layer structure extending to a first stripe height measured from an air bearing surface and the pinned layer structure extending to a second stripe height measured from the air bearing surface, the second stripe height being greater than the first stripe height; and a layer of anti-ferromagnetic material, embedded in the first magnetic shield and exchange coupled with a portion of the pinned layer structure; wherein the free layer structure defines an active sensor area and wherein the first shield includes a magnetic base layer and a magnetic fill layer formed over the magnetic base layer, the magnetic fill layer being located in the active sensor area; the layer of anti-ferromagnetic material having a contacting interface with the magnetic fill layer, the interface being located substantially parallel to the air bearing surface; wherein the free layer structure has first and second sides, the distance between which defines a free layer structure width, and wherein the layer of anti-ferromagnetic material has a width that is greater than the free layer structure width.