Abstract:
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The method includes providing a first shield, a first read sensor, an antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) shield that includes an antiferromagnet, a second read sensor and a second shield. The read sensors are between the first and second shields. The AFC shield is between the read sensors. An optional anneal for the first shield is in a magnetic field at a first angle from the ABS. Anneals for the first and second read sensors are in magnetic fields in desired first and second read sensor bias directions. The AFC shield anneal is in a magnetic field at a third angle from the ABS. The second shield anneal is in a magnetic field at a fifth angle from the ABS. The fifth angle is selected based on a thickness and a desired AFC shield bias direction for the antiferromagnet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/219,474, filed on Jul. 26, 2016, which in turn is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/667,433, filed on Mar. 24, 2015, (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,431,031), the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  depicts an air-bearing surface (ABS) view of a conventional read transducer  10 . The conventional read transducer  10  includes shields  12  and  20 , sensor  14  and magnetic bias structures  16 . The read sensor  14  is typically a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor or tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor. The read sensor  14  includes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer, a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer. Also shown is a capping layer. In addition, seed layer(s) may be used. The free layer has a magnetization sensitive to an external magnetic field. Thus, the free layer functions as a sensor layer for the magnetoresistive sensor  14 . The magnetic bias structures  16  may be hard bias structures or soft bias structures. These magnetic bias structures are used to magnetically bias the sensor layer of the sensor  14 . 
         [0003]    Although the conventional magnetic recording transducer  10  functions, there are drawbacks. In particular, the conventional magnetic recording transducer  10  may not function adequately at higher recording densities. Two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) technology may enable significantly higher recording densities. In TDMR, multiple read sensors are used. These sensors are longitudinally distributed along the cross track direction. The central sensor reads the data from a track of interest, while the outer sensors sense the data in adjacent tracks in order to account for noise. 
         [0004]    Although TDMR might be capable of higher recording densities, issues may complicate fabrication of a read transducer or adversely affect its performance. Fabrication of an additional read sensor above the read sensor  14  shown, in place of the shield  20 , may be complicated. Further, the shields  12  and  20  and the magnetic bias structures  16  are desired to be biased. The free layers of the read sensors are also magnetically biased in a different direction from the shields and magnetic bias structures. Providing the desired magnetic biasing of the shields and read sensors may be difficult to accomplish. Consequently, a transducer suitable for use in TDMR is desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  depicts a conventional read transducer. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A-2C  depict side, ABS and plan views an exemplary embodiment portions of a disk drive. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  depicts an ABS view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting another exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a disk drive including a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a graph depicting an exemplary embodiment of the bias angle versus antiferromagnetic layer thickness. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting another exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating an antiferromagnetically coupled shield in a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart depicting another exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a magnetic recording read transducer including multiple read sensors. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 11-16  depict wafer level views of an exemplary embodiment of magnetic field and bias directions for annealing in a magnetic field. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2C  depict side, ABS and plan views of a portion of a disk drive  100 . For clarity,  FIGS. 2A-2C  are not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive  100  are shown. In addition, although the disk drive  100  is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the disk drive  100  is not shown. For simplicity, only single components are shown. However, multiples of one or more of the components and/or their sub-components might be used. 
         [0017]    The disk drive  100  includes media  101 , a slider  102 , a head  103  including a write transducer  104  and a read transducer  110 . The write transducer includes at least a write pole  106  and coil(s)  108  for energizing the pole  106 . Additional and/or different components may be included in the disk drive  100 . Although not shown, the slider  102 , and thus the transducers  104  and  110  are generally attached to a suspension (not shown). The transducers  104  and  110  are fabricated on the slider  102  and include an ABS proximate to the media  101  during use. Although both a write transducer  104  and a read transducer  110  are shown, in other embodiments, only a read transducer  110  may be present. Further, multiple read and/or write transducers may be used. The read transducer  110  includes multiple read sensors  112  and  114 , shields  120  and  160  and middle shield(s)  130 / 150 . In addition, magnetic bias structures  111  and  116  for the sensors  112  and  114 , respectively, are used. 
         [0018]    The read transducer  110  includes multiple read sensors  112  and  114  having sensor layers  113  and  115 , respectively, that may be free layers in a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor or a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor. Thus, each sensor  112  and  114  may include a pinning layer, a pinned layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer in addition to the free layer  113  and  115 , respectively. For simplicity, only the free layers  113  and  115  are separately labeled. The sensors  112  and  114  may also include other layers such as seed layer(s) (not shown) and capping layer(s) (not shown). The pinning layer is generally an AFM layer that is magnetically coupled to the pinned layer. In other embodiments, however, the pinning layer may be omitted or may use a different pinning mechanism. The free layers  113  and  115  are each shown as a single layer, but may include multiple layers including but not limited to a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure. The pinned layer may also be a simple layer or a multilayer. Although shown as extending the same distance from the ABS in  FIG. 2A , the pinned layer may extend further than the corresponding free layer  113  and/or  115 . The nonmagnetic spacer layer may be a conductive layer, a tunneling barrier layer, or other analogous layer. Although depicted as a GMR or TMR sensor, in other embodiments, other structures and other sensing mechanisms may be used for the sensor. In other embodiments, however, other sensors may be used. For example, the sensor  112  and/or  114  may employ a dual free layer scheme in which two free layers that are biased in a scissor stated are utilized. 
         [0019]    The read sensors  112  and  114  may have different widths in the track width, or cross-track, direction. However, in other embodiments, the widths of the sensors  112  and  114  may be the same. The widths of the sensors  112  and  114  may also be based on the track pitch. In the embodiment shown, the read sensors  112  and  114  are offset in the cross track direction. Therefore, the centers of each of the read sensors  112  and  114  are not aligned along a line that runs the down track direction. In other embodiments, the read sensors  112  and  114  might be aligned. The read sensor  114  is also in a down track direction from the read sensor  112 . The read sensor  114  is thus closer to the trailing edge of the slider  102  than the read sensor  112  is. 
         [0020]    Also shown are bias structures  111  and  116  that magnetically bias the read sensors  112  and  114 , respectively. The magnetic bias structure(s)  111  and/or  116  may be soft bias structures fabricated with soft magnetic material(s). In other embodiments, the magnetic bias structure(s)  111  and/or  116  may be hard magnetic bias structures. In still other embodiments, the magnetic bias structure(s)  111  and/or  116  may have both magnetically hard and magnetically soft regions. Other mechanisms for biasing the sensors  112 , and  114  might also be used. 
         [0021]    The read sensors  112  and  114  are separated by middle shield(s)  130 / 150 . In embodiments in which only a single middle shield is used, then the insulator  140  may be omitted. The read sensors  112  and  114  and shield  130  are surrounded by first (bottom) shield  120  and second (top) shield  160 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , there are two read sensors  112  and  114  and two middle shields  130  and  150 . However, in another embodiment, another number of read sensors and middle/internal shields may be present. The middle shield  130  might be considered to be a top middle shield because it is closest to and may be electrically coupled with the top of the sensor  112 . The middle shield  150  may be a bottom middle shield because it is closest to and may be electrically coupled with the bottom of the sensor  114 . 
         [0022]    The bottom middle shield  150  is a monolithic shield. In the embodiment shown, the bottom middle shield  150  includes a single typically soft magnetic layer. In other embodiments, multiple material(s) and/or layers may be used. For example, the bottom middle shield  150  may include a NiFe layer and/or a CoFe layer. 
         [0023]    The top middle shield  130  is an antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) shield. The AFC middle shield  130  includes multiple magnetic layers  132  and  136  separated by a nonmagnetic layer  134  and magnetically coupled to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer  138 . Although not shown, seed and/or capping layer(s) may be used. The magnetic layers  132  and  136  are antiferromagnetically coupled, typically via a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction. The ferromagnetic layers  132  and/or  134  may include multiple sublayers. For example, the bottom ferromagnetic layer  132  may include a thin amorphous layer  131 , such as a CoFeB insertion layer. In some embodiments, the bottom layer  132  consists of NiFe layers separated by a thin CoFeB insertion layer  131  and topped by a CoFe layer. For example the bottom layer may include at least two hundred and not more than three hundred Angstroms of NiFe topped by not more than ten Angstroms of CoFeB, at least twenty-five Angstroms and not more than thirty five Angstroms of NiFe and at least five and not more than fifteen Angstroms of CoFe closest to the nonmagnetic layer  134 . However other thicknesses and materials may be present. The top ferromagnetic layer  136  may include multiple magnetic layers. For example, the top ferromagnetic layer  136  may include CoFe layers separated by a NiFe layer. For example, the ferromagnetic layer  136  may consist of at least five and not more than fifteen Angstroms of CoFe, at least two hundred and not more than three hundred Angstroms of NiFe and topped by at least fifteen and not more than twenty five Angstroms of CoFe. However, other thicknesses and other materials may be used. An amorphous magnetic layer such as the CoFeB insertion layer  131  discussed above might also be used in the ferromagnetic layer  136 . Use of the thin CoFeB insertion layer  131  within the layer  132  and/or  126  may be desired to improve the thermal stability of the AFC shield  130 . 
         [0024]    The nonmagnetic layer  136  has a thickness configured to be within an antiferromagnetic coupling peak (in a plot magnetic coupling versus thickness) of the RKKY interaction. In some embodiments, the nonmagnetic layer  136  is within the first antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction. In other embodiments, the nonmagnetic layer  136  is within the second antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction. In some cases, the second antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction is preferred for thermal stability of the shield  130 . The nonmagnetic layer  136  includes conductive nonmagnetic material(s) for which the layers  132  and  136  may be antiferromagnetically coupled. For example, the nonmagnetic layer  136  may consist of Ru and may have a thickness of at least three and not more than ten Angstroms. 
         [0025]    The AFM layer  138  is used to bias the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer  136 . For example, the AFM layer  138  may include IrMn. Thus, the AFM layer  138  may be thick enough to pin the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer  136 . In addition, the thickness of the AFM layer  138  may also be set to improve manufacturability of the transducer  110 . For example, the AFM layer  138  may also be sufficiently thin that the direction of the moments within the AFM layer  138  (i.e. the direction in which the spins are aligned parallel and antiparallel) may be set at an anneal temperature that is lower than the anneal temperature used for the sensors  112  and  114 . For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the anneal(s) used in fabricating the sensor(s)  112  and/or  114  utilizes temperatures in excess of 270 degrees Celsius. Thus, the thickness of the AFM layer  138  may be set such that an anneal of not more than 240 degrees Celsius can be used to set the direction of the moments in the AFM and, therefore, the bias direction for the ferromagnetic layer  136 . In some embodiments, anneals of not more than 220 degrees Celsius may be used to set the direction of the moments in the AFM layer  138 . The thickness of the AFM layer  138  may thus be set such that fabrication/annealing for the AFC shield  130  does not adversely affect the read sensor(s)  112  and/or  114 , so that the anneal for the AFC shield  130  may set the direction at which the layer  136  is magnetically biased and such that the AFC shield  130  is stable during operation of the transducer  110 . In some embodiments, the AFM layer  138  has a thickness of not more than one hundred sixty Angstroms. In some such embodiments, the AFM layer  138  has a thickness of not more than one hundred Angstroms. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment shown, the second (top) shield  160  is also an AFC shield. The second AFC shield  160  includes multiple magnetic layers  162  and  166  separated by a nonmagnetic layer  164  and magnetically coupled to an AFM layer  168 . Although not shown, seed and/or capping layer(s) may be used. The magnetic layers  162  and  166  are antiferromagnetically coupled, typically via the RKKY interaction. The ferromagnetic layers  162  and/or  164  may include multiple sublayers. For example, layer  162  may be analogous to the layer  132 , while the layer  166  may be analogous to the layer  136 . Thus, the bottom layer  162  may include NiFe layers separated by a thin CoFeB insertion layer  161  and topped by a CoFe layer that may all be in the thickness ranges described above. The top ferromagnetic layer  166  may include CoFe layers separated by a NiFe layer that may be in the thickness ranges discussed above. In other embodiments, other and/or additional materials may be used for the layers  162  and/or  166 . The nonmagnetic layer  164  may be analogous to the layer  134 . For example, the nonmagnetic layer  164  may have a thickness within the first or second antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction. The AFM layer  168  may be thick enough to pin the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer  166 , thin enough to have the magnetic moment direction set with anneal(s) that do not adversely affect the sensor(s)  112  and  114 , thick enough that the top shield  160  is stable during operation and may include IrMn. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment shown the first (bottom) shield  120  and the bottom middle shield  150  are monolithic shields. The top middle shield  130  and second (top) shield  160  are AFC shields. It may be desirable for the shields surrounding the sensors  112  and  114  to be configured similarly. For example, if the bottom middle shield  150  were an AFC shield, then the first (bottom) shield  120  may be desired to be an AFC shield. Thus, although the shields  120 ,  130 ,  150  and  160  are shown as having a particular structure (monolithic or AFC), in other embodiments, the structure might be different. 
         [0028]    During fabrication, the magnetic transducer  110  undergoes various anneals in order to set the magnetization/magnetic bias directions of various magnetic components of the transducer  110 .  FIG. 2C  depicts embodiments of some of the magnetic biases. The read sensors  112  and  114  may be magnetically biased in the same direction. For example, the read sensors are generally biased perpendicular to the ABS. Thus, the stable states of the magnetic moments of the free layers  113  and  115  may be perpendicular to the ABS. The top middle shield  130  and/or the second (top) shield  160  may also be desired to be magnetically biased in a particular direction. For example, the middle shield  130  and/or the second shield  160  may be desired to be bias at an angle, .alpha., from the ABS. This angle may be at least zero degrees and not more than fifty-five degrees from the ABS. In some embodiments, a is not more than forty-five degrees from the ABS. In some such embodiments, a is at least thirty degrees and not more than forty degrees from the ABS. Note that the magnetic field with which the transducer  110  is annealed to set the direction of the AFM layer  138 / 168  spin during fabrication may point in a direction other than at the angle .alpha. from the ABS. The direction of the magnetic field used is set based at least upon the desired angle, .alpha., the thicknesses of the AFM layers  138  and  168  and the magnetic states of the AFM layers  138  and  168  before the anneal. Thus, the desired structure  110  may be obtained. 
         [0029]    In operation, current is driven perpendicular-to-plane for the sensors  112  and  114 . Thus, current is driven through the sensor  112  between the shields  120  and  130 . Similarly, current is driven through the sensor  114  between the shields  150  and  160 . Thus, electrical connection is to be made to the shields  120 ,  130 ,  150  and  160 . However, different currents may be driven through the sensors  112  and  114  because of the presence of the insulator  140 . Similarly, the resistances of the sensors  112  and  114  may be separately sensed. 
         [0030]    The magnetic read transducer  110  and disk drive  100  may have improved performance and manufacturability. Because multiple sensors  112  and  114  employed, the magnetic transducer  110  may then be used at higher data rates and/or densities in TDMR. The desired magnetic biasing of the sensors  112  and  114  and shields  120 ,  130 ,  150  and  160  and the bias structures  111  and  116  may also be accomplished. The presence of the amorphous CoFeB insertion layer  131 / 161  in the layer  132  and/or  162  may improve the thermal stability of the AFC shield(s)  130  and/or  160 . Configuration of the thickness of the nonmagnetic layer  134 / 164 , for example to be in the second antiferromagnetic peak in the RKKY interaction, may also improve thermal stability of the AFC shield(s)  130  and/or  160 . Performance and fabrication of the magnetic transducer  110  may, therefore, be improved. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  depicts an ABS view of an exemplary embodiment of a transducer  110 ′ that is part of a disk drive  100 ′. For clarity,  FIG. 3  is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive  100 ′ and transducer  110 ′ are shown. The transducer  110 ′ and disk drive  100 ′ depicted in  FIG. 3  are analogous to the read transducer  110  and disk drive  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C . Consequently, analogous components have similar labels. For simplicity, only a portion of the transducer  110 ′ and disk drive  100 ′ are shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0032]    The transducer  110 ′ includes first shield  120 , read sensors  112  and  114 , magnetic bias structures  111  and  116 , AFC (top) middle shield  130 , insulator  140 , bottom middle shield  150 ′ and second shield  160  that are analogous to the first shield  120 , read sensors  112  and  114 , magnetic bias structures  111  and  116 , and AFC (top) middle shield  130 , insulator  140 , top middle shield  150  and second shield  160  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C , respectively. The transducer  110 ′ thus operates in a similar manner to the transducer  110 . Thus the top middle shield  130  includes amorphous layer  131 , magnetic layer  132 , nonmagnetic layer  134 , magnetic layer  136  and AFM layer  138  that are analogous to amorphous ferromagnetic layer  131 , ferromagnetic layer  132 , nonmagnetic layer  134 , ferromagnetic layer  136  and an AFM layer  138 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-2C . Other layers could also be included in the AFC shield  130 . Similarly, second (AFC) shield  160  includes amorphous layer  161 , magnetic layer  162 , nonmagnetic layer  164 , magnetic layer  166  and AFM layer  168  that are analogous to amorphous magnetic layer  161 , magnetic layer  162 , nonmagnetic layer  164 , magnetic layer  166  and AFM layer  168 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
         [0033]    In the embodiment shown, the bottom middle shield  150 ′ is an AFC coupled shield instead of a monolithic shield. Thus, the bottom middle shield  150 ′ includes multiple magnetic layers  152  and  156  separated by a nonmagnetic layer  154  and magnetically coupled to an AFM layer  158 . Although not shown, seed and/or capping layer(s) may be used. The magnetic layers  152  and  156  are antiferromagnetically coupled, typically via an RKKY interaction. The ferromagnetic layers  152  and/or  154  may include multiple sublayers. For example, the bottom layer  152  may include a thin amorphous layer  151 , such as a CoFeB insertion layer. In some embodiments, the bottom layer  152  consists of NiFe layers separated by a thin CoFeB insertion layer  151  and topped by a CoFe layer. The top ferromagnetic layer  156  may include CoFe layers separated by a NiFe layer. The thicknesses and layers used may thus be analogous to those used for the AFC shields  130  and  160 . However, other thicknesses and other materials may be used. The AFM layer  158  may be thick enough to pin the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer  156 , thin enough that the anneal that sets the direction of the magnetic moments for the AFM layer  158  does not adversely affect the sensor  112  and sufficiently thick that the transducer  110 ′ is stable during operation. For example, the AFM layer  158  may include IrMn. 
         [0034]    The nonmagnetic layer  156  has a thickness configured to be within an antiferromagnetic coupling peak (in a plot magnetic coupling versus thickness) of the RKKY interaction. In some embodiments, the nonmagnetic layer  156  is within the first antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction. In other embodiments, the nonmagnetic layer  156  is within the second antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction. In some cases, the second antiferromagnetic peak of the RKKY interaction is preferred. The nonmagnetic layer  156  includes conductive nonmagnetic material(s) for which the layers  152  and  156  may be antiferromagnetically coupled. For example, the nonmagnetic layer  156  may consist of Ru and may have a thickness of at least three and not more than ten Angstroms. In the embodiment shown, the AFC shield  150 ′ is a bottom middle shield and different from the first (bottom) shield  120 , which is monolithic. In some embodiments, however, the shields  120  and  150 ′ are desired to match. Thus, the first shield  120  might also be an AFC shield. The AFC shields  130 ,  150 ′ and  160  are biased, annealed and configured in an analogous manner to the AFC shields  130  and  160  discussed above. 
         [0035]    The magnetic read transducer  110 ′ and disk drive  100 ′ shares the benefits of the transducer  110  and disk drive  100 . Thus, the transducer  110 ′ may have improved performance and manufacturability. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  depicts an ABS view of an exemplary embodiment of a transducer  110 ″ that is part of a disk drive  100 ″. For clarity,  FIG. 4  is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive  100 ″ and transducer  110 ″ are shown. The transducer  110 ″ and disk drive  100 ″ depicted in  FIG. 4  are analogous to the read transducer  110 / 110 ′ and disk drive  100 / 100 ′ depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C and 3 . Consequently, analogous components have similar labels. For simplicity, only a portion of the transducer  110 ″ and disk drive  100 ″ are shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0037]    The transducer  110 ″ includes first shield  120 , read sensors  112  and  114 , magnetic bias structures  111  and  116 , AFC (top) middle shield  130 , insulator  140 , bottom middle shield  150 ′ and second shield  160  that are analogous to the first shield  120 , read sensors  112  and  114 , magnetic bias structures  111  and  116 , and AFC (top) middle shield  130 , insulator  140 , top middle shield  150  and second shield  160  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-3 , respectively. The transducer  110 ″ thus operates in a similar manner to the transducer  110 . Thus the top middle shield  130  includes amorphous layer  131 , magnetic layer  132 , nonmagnetic layer  134 , magnetic layer  136  and AFM layer  138  that are analogous to amorphous ferromagnetic layer  131 , ferromagnetic layer  132 , nonmagnetic layer  134 , ferromagnetic layer  136  and an AFM layer  138 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-3 . Other layers could also be included in the AFC shield  130 . Similarly, second (AFC) shield  160  includes amorphous layer  161 , magnetic layer  162 , nonmagnetic layer  164 , magnetic layer  166  and AFM layer  168  that are analogous to amorphous magnetic layer  161 , magnetic layer  162 , nonmagnetic layer  164 , magnetic layer  166  and AFM layer  168 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-3 . The bottom middle (AFC) shield  150 ′ includes amorphous layer  151 , magnetic layer  152 , nonmagnetic layer  154 , magnetic layer  156  and AFM layer  158  that are analogous to amorphous magnetic layer  151 , magnetic layer  152 , nonmagnetic layer  154 , magnetic layer  156  and AFM layer  158 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-3 . 
         [0038]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the transducer  110 ″ includes an additional sensor  118 , an additional top middle shield  170 , an additional bottom middle shield  190  and an additional insulator  180 . The additional sensor  118  is analogous to the sensors  112  and  114 . Thus, the additional sensor  118  may have a free layer  119  and is biased by magnetic bias structures  117 . In the embodiment shown, the middle shields  170  and  190  are AFC shields. The top middle shield  170  includes multiple magnetic layers  172  and  176  separated by a nonmagnetic layer  174  and magnetically coupled to an AFM layer  178 . Although not shown, seed and/or capping layer(s) may be used. The bottom middle shield  190  includes multiple magnetic layers  192  and  196  separated by a nonmagnetic layer  194  and magnetically coupled to an AFM layer  198 . Although not shown, seed and/or capping layer(s) may be used. The AFC shields  170  and  190  are analogous to the AFC shields  130 ,  150 ′ and  160 . Thus, the layers  171  and  191 ,  172  and  192 ,  174  and  194 ,  176  and  196  and  178  and  198  are analogous to the layers  131 / 151 / 161 ,  132 / 152 / 162 ,  134 / 154 / 164 ,  136 / 156 / 166 ,  138 / 158 / 168 , respectively. However, in other embodiments, one or both of the shields  170  and  190  may be monolithic. Although the first shield  120  is shown as being monolithic, in another embodiment, the first shield  120  may be an AFC shield. Although all remaining shields  130 ,  150 ′,  160 ,  170  and  190  are shown in  FIG. 4  as being AFC shields, in other embodiments, only some shields  130 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170  and/or  190  are AFC shields. For example, in some embodiments, only the top middle shields  130  and  170  and second (top) shield  160  are AFC coupled shields. In such embodiments, the bottom middle shields  150 ′ and  190  and first (bottom) shield  120  are monolithic shields. Such an embodiment may be preferred because the sensors  112 ,  114  and  118  are surrounded by analogous structures. The AFC shields  130 ,  150 ′,  160 ,  170  and  190  are biased, annealed and configured in an analogous manner to the AFC shields  130 ,  150 ′ and  160  discussed above. 
         [0039]    The magnetic read transducer  110 ″ and disk drive  100 ″ shares the benefits of the transducer  110 / 110 ′ and disk drive  100 / 100 ′. Thus, the transducer  110 ″ may have improved performance and manufacturability. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  depicts an ABS view of an exemplary embodiment of a transducer  110 ′ that is part of a disk drive  100 ′″. For clarity,  FIG. 5  is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the disk drive  100 ′″ and transducer  110 ′″ are shown. The transducer  110 ′″ and disk drive  100 ′″ depicted in  FIG. 5  are analogous to the read transducer  110 / 110 ′/ 110 ″ and disk drive  100 / 100 ′/ 100 ″ depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C, 3 and 4 . Consequently, analogous components have similar labels. For simplicity, only a portion of the transducer  110 ′″ and disk drive  100 ′″ are shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0041]    The transducer  110 ′″ includes first shield  120 ′, read sensors  112 ,  114  and  118 , magnetic bias structures  111 ,  116  and  117 , top middle shields  130  and  170 , insulators  140  and  180 , bottom middle shields  150  and  190 ′ and second shield  160  that are analogous to the first shield  120 , read sensors  112 ,  114  and  118 , magnetic bias structures  111 ,  116  and  117 , and top middle shields  130  and  170 , insulators  140  and  180 , top middle shields  150 / 150 ′ and  190  and second shield  160  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-4 , respectively. The transducer  110 ′″ thus operates in a similar manner to the transducer  110 . The top middle shield  130  includes amorphous layer  131 , magnetic layer  132 , nonmagnetic layer  134 , magnetic layer  136  and AFM layer  138  that are analogous to amorphous ferromagnetic layer  131 , ferromagnetic layer  132 , nonmagnetic layer  134 , ferromagnetic layer  136  and an AFM layer  138 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-4 . Other layers could also be included in the AFC shield  130 . Similarly, second (AFC) shield  160  includes amorphous layer  161 , magnetic layer  162 , nonmagnetic layer  164 , magnetic layer  166  and AFM layer  168  that are analogous to amorphous magnetic layer  161 , magnetic layer  162 , nonmagnetic layer  164 , magnetic layer  166  and AFM layer  168 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2A-3 . The bottom middle shields  150  and  190 ′ are monolithic in the embodiment shown. Top middle shield  170  includes amorphous layer  171 , magnetic layer  172 , nonmagnetic layer  174 , magnetic layer  176  and AFM layer  178  that are analogous to amorphous magnetic layer  171 , magnetic layer  172 , nonmagnetic layer  174 , magnetic layer  176  and AFM layer  178 , respectively, in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0042]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the first (bottom shield)  120 ′ is an AFC shield. Thus, the first shield  120 ′ includes multiple magnetic layers  122  and  126  separated by a nonmagnetic layer  124  and magnetically coupled to an AFM layer  128 . The AFC shield  120 ′ is analogous to the AFC shields  130 ,  150 ′,  170  and  160 . Thus, the layers  121 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  are analogous to the layers  131 / 151 / 161 / 171 / 191 ,  132 / 152 / 162 / 172 / 192 ,  134 / 154 / 164 / 174 / 194 ,  136 / 156 / 166 / 176 / 196 ,  138 / 158 / 168 / 178 / 198 , respectively. Although the first shield  120 ′ is shown as being an AFC shield, in another embodiment, the first shield  120  may be a monolithic shield. Although shields  130 ,  160  and  170  are shown as being AFC shields, in other embodiments, only some shields  130 ,  160  and/or  170  AFC shields. Similarly, although the shields  150  and  190 ′ are shown as being monolithic, in other embodiments, one or both of the shield  150  and  190 ′ may be AFC shields. The AFC shields  120 ′,  130 ,  170  and  160  are biased, annealed and configured in an analogous manner to the AFC shields  130 ,  150 ′,  160 ,  170  and  190  discussed above. 
         [0043]    The magnetic read transducer  110 ′″ and disk drive  100 ′″ shares the benefits of the transducer  110 / 110 ′/ 110 ″ and disk drive  100 / 100 ′/ 100 ″. Thus, the transducer  110 ′″ may have improved performance and manufacturability. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary embodiment of a method  200  for providing a read transducer having multiple sensors. Some steps may be omitted, interleaved, and/or combined. For simplicity, the method  200  is described in the context of providing a single recording transducer  110 . However, other magnetic recording transducers  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may be manufactured. Further, the method  200  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  200  may also be used to fabricate other transducers. The method  200  is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method  200  also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording transducer. 
         [0045]    The first shield  120  is provided, via step  202 . Step  202  typically includes depositing (e.g. plating) a large high permeability layer. In alternate embodiments, in which the shield  120  is an AFC shield, step  202  includes depositing multiple ferromagnetic layers interleaved with and sandwiching at least one nonmagnetic layer and depositing an AFM layer adjoining one of the ferromagnetic layers. The layer may also be planarized. 
         [0046]    The first read sensor  112  is provided, via step  204 . Step  204  may include full-film depositing an AFM layer, a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer (e.g. tunneling barrier) layer and a free layer  113 . The read sensor  112  may also be defined in step  204 . Step  204  may define the read sensor  112  in the cross track and/or the stripe height direction. The stripe height direction is perpendicular to the ABS. The magnetic bias structures  111  for the read sensor  112  may also be fabricated as part of step  204 . Step  204  may also include annealing the portion of the transducer that has been fabricated. The anneal may be used to set the direction of magnetization of portions of read sensor stack and/or for other purposes. For example, the anneal may be in a magnetic field that is in the direction in which the read sensor is desired to be biased. In some embodiments, this direction is perpendicular to the ABS. This anneal may also be at a high temperature compared with the anneal(s) for the shield(s)  120 ,  130 ,  150  and/or  160 . In some embodiments, the temperature for the anneal of the read sensor  112  is at least 250 degrees Celsius. The temperature may be at least 270 degrees Celsius in some cases. 
         [0047]    The top middle shield  130  is provided, via step  206 . Thus, step  206  generally includes providing an AFC shield. The ferromagnetic layers  132  and  136  and the nonmagnetic layer  134  are deposited to the desired thicknesses in step  206 . As part of depositing the layer  132  and/or  136 , an amorphous magnetic layer such as the CoFeB insertion layer  131  may also be deposited. Step  206  also includes depositing the antiferromagnetic layer  138  to the desired thickness. 
         [0048]    An insulating layer  140  and an additional, bottom middle shield  150  may also be provided, via step  208 . In some embodiments, the step  208  of providing the bottom middle shield  150  includes depositing a monolithic shield. In other embodiments, step  208  may include providing an AFC coupled shield. In such embodiments, this portion of step  208  is analogous to step  206 . 
         [0049]    The second read sensor  114  is provided, via step  210 . Step  210  may include full-film depositing an AFM layer, a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer (e.g. tunneling barrier) layer and a free layer  115 . The read sensor  114  may also be defined in the cross track and/or the stripe height direction. The magnetic bias structures  116  for the read sensor  114  may also be fabricated as part of step  210 . Step  210  may also include annealing the portion of the transducer that has been fabricated to set the direction of magnetization of portions of read sensor stack and/or for other purposes. For example, the anneal performed in step  210  may be analogous to the anneal for step  204 . 
         [0050]    Step  206 ,  208  and  210  may optionally be repeated a desired number of times, via step  212 . Thus, a transducer, such as the transducer  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ having more than two read sensors may be fabricated. 
         [0051]    The second shield  160  is provided, via step  214 . Step  214  may include providing an AFC shield. Thus, step  214  may be performed in an analogous manner to step  206 . The ferromagnetic layers  162  and  166  and the nonmagnetic layer  164  are deposited to the desired thicknesses in step  214 . As part of depositing the layer  162  and/or  166 , an amorphous magnetic layer such as the CoFeB insertion layer  161  may also be deposited. Step  214  also includes depositing the antiferromagnetic layer  168  to the desired thickness. 
         [0052]    At least one anneal is performed for the shield(s), via  216 . Thus, the shields  120 ,  130 ,  150  and  160  as well as read sensors  112  and  114  are annealed in a magnetic field in step  216 . The anneal performed in step  216  is at temperature(s) and magnetic field(s) that are sufficiently high to set the direction of the AFM layers&#39;  138  and  168  moments and, therefore, the directions of magnetization for the layers  132 ,  136 ,  162  and  166 . The temperature(s) of the anneal are also sufficiently low that the read sensors  112  and  114  are not adversely affected. 
         [0053]    The anneal performed in step  216  is in a magnetic field at an angle from the location/plane which will form the ABS after lapping (“ABS location”). This angle is selected based on a thickness and a desired AFC shield bias direction for the AFM layer  138  and/or  168 . The angle of the magnetic field is also selected such that the ADC shield(s)  130  and  160  are biased in the desired AFC shield bias direction after the anneal has been completed. In some embodiments, the angle between the magnetic field direction and the ABS location is at least zero degrees and not more than fifty-five degrees. In some cases, this angle is not more than forty-five degrees from the ABS location. Although the magnetic field angle is selected in part based on the desired AFC shield bias direction, the angle may be in a direction that is different from the desired AFC shield bias direction. It is the combination of the thickness of the AFM layer(s)  138  and/or  168 , the pre-anneal magnetic state of the AFM layer(s)  138  and/or  168  and the angle the magnetic field makes with the ABS location that allows the resulting shields  130  and  160  to be magnetically biased in the desired AFC shield bias direction. 
         [0054]    For example, in some embodiments, the desired AFC shield bias direction may be nominally thirty-five degrees from the ABS location. The pre-anneal state of the AFC shield  130  and/or  160  may be magnetically biased perpendicular to the ABS location because of the anneals of the sensors  112  and  114 . This magnetic state may be due to the anneal of the sensor(s) in steps  204 ,  210  and, optionally,  212 . The angle of the magnetic field during the anneal of step  216  may be at zero degrees for some thicknesses of the AFM layers  138  and  168 . For such thicknesses of the AFM layer(s)  138 / 168  and given the magnetic state of the AFM layer  138 / 168  after the anneal(s) in steps  210  and  212 , an anneal of the transducer  110  in a magnetic field at zero degrees from the ABS location results in the AFC shield(s)  130 / 160  being biased at nominally thirty-five degrees from the ABS location. Thus, the magnetic field angle for the anneal in step  216  is based on the thickness of the AFM layer  138 / 168  and may differ from the desired bias angle for the magnetic moments of the AFC shield(s)  130 / 160 . Note that for some thicknesses of the AFM layer  138 / 168 , however, the magnetic field angle may match the desired bias angle. 
         [0055]    Using the method  200 , the magnetic read transducer  110  and disk drive  100  may be provided. The transducers  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may also be manufactured using the method  200 . Because of the manner in which the anneals and other steps of the method  200  are performed, the desired geometry and magnetic properties of the transducers  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may be attained. The benefits of the transducers  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may thus be achieved. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary embodiment of a method  220  for providing a read transducer having multiple sensors. Some steps may be omitted, interleaved, and/or combined. For simplicity, the method  220  is also described in the context of providing a single recording transducer  110 . However, other magnetic recording transducers  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may be manufactured. Further, the method  220  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  220  may also be used to fabricate other transducers. The method  220  is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method  220  also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording transducer. 
         [0057]    The first shield  120  is provided, via step  222 . Step  222  typically includes depositing (e.g. plating) a large high permeability layer. The layer may also be planarized. In some embodiments, step  222  includes annealing the portion of the transducer  110  that has been fabricated. The anneal is at an elevated temperature and in a magnetic field. The magnetic field is in a direction from the ABS location. However, in other embodiments, particularly if the first shield  120  is monolithic, this anneal might be omitted. 
         [0058]    The first read sensor  112  is provided, via step  224 . Step  224  may be analogous to step  204 . Thus, step  224  may include depositing the layers for the sensor  112  and annealing the portion of the transducer  110  that has been fabricated (including the sensor  112 ). The anneal may be used to set the direction of magnetization of portions of read sensor stack and/or for other purposes. The anneal may be in a magnetic field that is in the direction in which the read sensor is desired to be biased, for example perpendicular to the ABS. This anneal may also be at a high temperature compared with the anneal(s) for the shield(s)  120 ,  130 ,  150  and/or  160 . In some embodiments, the temperature for the anneal of the read sensor  112  is at least 250 degrees Celsius. The temperature may be at least 270 degrees Celsius in some cases. The magnetic bias structures  111  for the read sensor  112  may also be fabricated as part of step  224 . 
         [0059]    The top middle shield  130  is provided, via step  226 . Thus, step  226  includes providing an AFC shield. Step  226  is, therefore, analogous to step  206 . In addition, at least one AFC shield anneal is also performed as part of step  226 . Thus, the portion of the transducer  110  that has been formed is annealed in a magnetic field. The magnetic field is in a direction at an AFC shield anneal angle from the ABS location. This AFC shield anneal angle is at least zero degrees and not more than fifty-five degrees from the ABS location. In some embodiments, the magnetic field is at an angle of nominally forty-five degrees from the ABS location. The anneal performed in step  226  is at temperature(s) and magnetic field(s) that are sufficiently high to set the direction of the AFM layer  138  spins and, therefore, the directions of magnetization for the layers  132  and  136 . The temperature(s) of the anneal are also sufficiently low that the read sensor  112  is not adversely affected. 
         [0060]    An insulating layer  140  and an additional, bottom middle shield  150  may also be provided, via step  228 . In some embodiments, the step  228  of providing the bottom middle shield  150  includes depositing a monolithic shield. In other embodiments, step  228  may include providing an AFC coupled shield. In such embodiments, this portion of step  228  is analogous to step  226 . An anneal may optionally be performed for the bottom middle shield  150 . 
         [0061]    The second read sensor  114  is provided, via step  230 . Step  230  may be analogous to step  210 . The magnetic bias structures  116  for the read sensor  114  may also be fabricated as part of step  230 . Step  230  may also include annealing the portion of the transducer that has been fabricated to set the direction of magnetization of portions of read sensor stack and/or for other purposes. For example, the anneal performed in step  230  may be analogous to the anneal for step  224 . 
         [0062]    Step  226 ,  228  and  230  may optionally be repeated a desired number of times, via step  232 . Thus, a transducer, such as the transducer  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ having more than two read sensors may be fabricated. 
         [0063]    The second shield  160  is provided, via step  234 . Step  234  may include providing an AFC shield. Thus, step  234  may be performed in an analogous manner to step  226 . Step  234  also includes performing at least one anneal. Thus, the shields  120 ,  130 ,  150  and  160  as well as read sensors  112  and  114  are annealed in a magnetic field in step  234 . The anneal performed in step  234  is at temperature(s) and magnetic field(s) that are sufficiently high to set the direction of the AFM layers&#39;  138  and  168  moments and, therefore, the directions of magnetization for the layers  132 ,  136 ,  162  and  166 . The temperature(s) of the anneal are also sufficiently low that the read sensors  112  and  114  are not adversely affected. 
         [0064]    Like step  216  of the method  200 , however, the anneal in step  234  is in a magnetic field at an angle from the ABS location. This angle is selected based on a thickness and a desired AFC shield bias direction for the AFM layer  138  and/or  168 . In some embodiments, this angle is at least zero degrees and not more than fifty-five degrees from the ABS location. In some embodiments, this angle is not more than forty-five degrees from the ABS location. The angle may be in a direction that is different from the desired AFC shield bias direction. Thus, the magnetic field angle for the anneal in step  234  is based on the thickness of the AFM layer  138 / 168  and may differ from the desired bias angle for the magnetic moments of the AFC shield(s)  130 / 160 . Note that for some thicknesses of the AFM layer  138 / 168 , however, the magnetic field angle may match the desired bias angle. 
         [0065]    Using the method  220 , the magnetic read transducer  110  and disk drive  100  may be provided. The transducers  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may also be manufactured using the method  220 . Because of the manner in which the anneals and other steps of the method  220  are performed, the desired geometry and magnetic properties of the transducers  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may be attained. The benefits of the transducers  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may thus be achieved. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the magnetic angles selected for the anneals in steps  216  and  232  depend upon the thickness of the AFM layer  138  and/or  168  for the AFC shield(s)  130 / 160 . This is indicated in  FIG. 8 , which is a graph  240  depicting the final bias angle, .alpha., versus thickness of the AFM layer  138 / 168  for a fixed magnetic field anneal angle, As shown in  FIG. 2C , the angle, a, is the angle between the ABS (or ABS location) and the final magnetic bias of the AFC shield  130 / 150 ′/ 160 / 170 / 190 . The angle 0 is the angle between the ABS location and the magnetic field for the anneal of step  216  or step  232  of the method  200  or  220 , respectively. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the final angle depends upon the thickness of the AFM layer  138 ,  158 ,  168 ,  178  or  198 . For all cases, it is assumed that the initial state of the AFC shield bias is perpendicular to the ABS because of the sensor anneal in step  210 / 212  or  230 . For a large enough AFM layer thickness, the anneal results in a single bias angle that is closer to the initial state. For the middle range of thicknesses, which are typically of interest for AFC shields, the final bias angle depends upon the thickness of the AFM layer. This final bias angle is generally between the initial angle (e.g. perpendicular to the ABS) and the angle of the anneal (0). For very small AFM layer thicknesses, the AFM layer  138 ,  158 ,  168 ,  178 , or  198  is less stable. Thus, the final bias angle is the same as the angle of the magnetic field during the anneal (.alpha.=.theta.). Similar graphs may be obtained for other magnetic field angles in the anneal and/or other thicknesses of the AFM layers. Thus, as discussed above, the bias angle for the AFC shield(s) of the transducers  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ and  110 ′″ may be set by the angle of the magnetic field during the AFC shield anneal. Further, the bias angle, and thus the magnetic field angle, may be selected based at least in part on the thickness of the AFM layers in the AFC shields. 
         [0067]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary embodiment of a method  250  for providing an AFC shield in a read transducer having multiple sensors. Some steps may be omitted, interleaved, and/or combined. The method  250  is also described in the context of providing the AFC shield  130  in the single recording transducer  110 . However, other AFC shields and/or other magnetic recording transducers  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may be manufactured. Further, the method  250  may be used to fabricate multiple shields and multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  250  may also be used to fabricate other transducers. The method  250  is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method  250  also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording transducer. The method  250  may be incorporated into the method  200 ,  220  and/or  270  (discussed below). 
         [0068]    The ferromagnetic layer  132  is provided, via step  252 . In some embodiments, step  252  includes depositing an amorphous magnetic insertion layer within the ferromagnetic layer  132 . For example, the CoFeB insertion layer  131  may be provided as part of step  252 . The ferromagnetic layer  132  may also include other magnetic layers. For example, a NiFe/CoFeB/NiFe/CoFe layer may be deposited for the magnetic layer  132  in step  252 . 
         [0069]    The nonmagnetic layer  134  is provided, via step  254 . Step  254  may include depositing a nonmagnetic material, such as Ru, to a thickness corresponding to the first or second antiferromagnetic coupling peak in the RKKY interaction. In some embodiments, the second antiferromagnetic coupling peak is selected. 
         [0070]    The ferromagnetic layer  136  is provided, via step  256 . In some embodiments, step  256  includes depositing an amorphous magnetic insertion layer within the ferromagnetic layer  136 . The ferromagnetic layer  136  may also include other magnetic layers. For example, a CoFe/NiFe/CoFe layer may be deposited for the magnetic layer  136  in step  256 . 
         [0071]    If more than two ferromagnetic layers are desired in the AFC shield, then steps  254  and  256  are optionally repeated a desired number of times. The antiferromagnetic layer  138  is deposited to the desired thickness, via step  260 . Using the method  250 , the desired configuration of the AFC shield(s)  130 ,  150 ′,  160 ,  170  and/or  190  may be achieved. The benefits of the transducer(s)  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″, and/or  110 ′″ may be attained. 
         [0072]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary embodiment of another method  270  for providing a read transducer. Some steps may be omitted, interleaved, and/or combined.  FIGS. 11-16  depict wafer  300  level views of an exemplary embodiments of a transducers that may be used in a magnetic disk drive during fabrication using the method  270 . The transducers being formed may be considered to be analogous to the transducer  110 ′″, except including a monolithic lower shield  120  in lieu of the AFC lower shield  120 ′.  FIGS. 11-16  are not to scale and not all portions of the transducer  300  are shown. However, the method  250  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  250  may also be used to fabricate other disk drives including but not limited to the disk drive  100  and transducers  110 / 110 ′/ 110 ″/ 110 ′″. The method  270  is also described in the context of particular layers. A particular layer may include multiple materials and/or multiple sub-layers. The method  270  also may start after formation of other portions of the magnetic recording transducer. 
         [0073]    The first shield  120  is provided, via step  272 . Step  222  typically includes depositing (e.g. plating) a large high permeability layer. The layer may also be planarized. In some embodiments, step  272  may optionally include annealing the portion of the transducer  110  that has been fabricated. The anneal is at an elevated temperature and in a magnetic field. The magnetic field is in a direction at least zero degrees and not more than fifty-five degrees from the ABS location. However, in other embodiments, this anneal might be omitted. 
         [0074]    The first read sensor  112  is provided, via step  274 . Step  274  may be analogous to steps  204  and  224 . Thus, step  274  may include depositing the layers for the sensor  112  and annealing the portion of the transducer  110  that has been fabricated (including the sensor  112 ). The anneal may be used to set the direction of magnetization of portions of read sensor stack and/or for other purposes. The anneal may be in a magnetic field that is in the direction in which the read sensor is desired to be biased, for example perpendicular to the ABS. This anneal may also be at a high temperature compared with the anneal(s) for the shield(s)  120 ,  130 ,  150  and/or  160 . In some embodiments, the temperature for the anneal of the read sensor  112  is at least 250 degrees Celsius. The temperature may be at least 270 degrees Celsius in some cases. The magnetic bias structures  111  for the read sensor  112  may also be fabricated as part of step  274   
         [0075]    The top middle shield  130  is provided, via step  276 . Thus, step  276  includes providing an AFC shield. Step  276  is, therefore, analogous to steps  206  and  226 .  FIG. 11  depicts the wafer  110  during step  276 , after deposition of the layers  132 ,  134 ,  136  and  138  for the shield  130 . In this case, the shield magnetic bias direction is parallel to the ABS location after deposition. An AFC shield anneal is also performed as part of step  276 . Thus, the portion of the transducer  110 ′″ that has been formed is annealed in a magnetic field.  FIG. 12  depicts the wafer  300  after the anneal, as well as the direction of the magnetic field during the anneal. The magnetic field is in a direction at an AFC shield anneal angle, .theta.1, from the ABS location. This AFC shield anneal angle .theta.1 is at least zero degrees and not more than fifty-five degrees from the ABS location. In some embodiments, .theta.1 is nominally forty-five degrees from the ABS location. The anneal performed in step  276  is at temperature(s) and magnetic field(s) that are sufficiently high to set the direction of the AFM layer  138  spins and, therefore, the directions of magnetization for the layers  132  and  136 . The temperature(s) of the anneal are also sufficiently low that the read sensor  112  is not adversely affected. After the anneal, the bias direction for the AFC shield  130  is at an angle .beta.1 from the ABS location. 
         [0076]    An insulating layer  140  and an additional, bottom middle shield  150  are provided, via step  278 . In some embodiments, the step  228  of providing the bottom middle shield  150  includes depositing a monolithic shield. An anneal may optionally be performed for the bottom middle shield  150 . However, in the embodiment shown, no anneal is performed. 
         [0077]    The second read sensor  114  is provided, via step  280 . Step  280  may be analogous to steps  210  and  230 . The magnetic bias structures  116  for the read sensor  114  may also be fabricated as part of step  280 . Step  280  may also include annealing the portion of the transducer that has been fabricated to set the direction of magnetization of portions of read sensor stack and/or for other purposes. For example, the anneal performed in step  280  may be analogous to the anneal for step  274 .  FIG. 13  depicts the wafer after step  280  is performed. The direction of the magnetic field for the anneal is in the desired sensor bias direction: perpendicular to the Abs. Thus, the magnetic field direction for the anneal, .theta.2, is nominally ninety degrees. Because the sensor anneal is at a higher temperature than the AFC shield anneal, the AFC shield  130  bias direction is changed to match that of the magnetic field used in step  280 . Thus, the angle for the shield bias direction after step  280 , .beta.2, is nominally ninety degrees. 
         [0078]    Steps  276 ,  278  and  280  may optionally be repeated a desired number of times, via step  282 . In this embodiment, each step  276 ,  278  and  280  is repeated once. Thus, an additional AFC shield  170 , an additional insulator  180  and a monolithic bottom shield  190 ′ are provided.  FIG. 14  depicts the bias for the shields  130  and  170  after the anneal performed when step  276  is repeated. In the embodiment shown, the magnetic field direction is the same for both iterations of step  276 . In other words, .theta.3=.theta.1. Consequently, the AFC shield bias direction, .beta.3 is the same as .beta.1 (.beta.3=.beta.1).  FIG. 15  depicts the wafer  300  after step  278  has been repeated to form the sensor  118 . Because the desired sensor bias direction is perpendicular to plane and the anneal is performed at a higher temperature, the shields  130  and  170  are again biased nominally perpendicular to plane (.theta.4=.beta.4=90 degrees). 
         [0079]    The second (top) shield  160  is provided, via step  284 . Thus, step  284  may be performed in an analogous manner to step  276 . Step  284  also include performing at least one anneal. Thus, the shields  120 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190  and  160  as well as read sensors  112 ,  114  and  118  are annealed in a magnetic field in step  284 . However, the angle of the magnetic field in step  284  may differ from that in steps  276  and  282 . The anneal performed in step  232  is at temperature(s) and magnetic field(s) that are sufficiently high to set the direction of the AFM layers&#39;  138 ,  178  and  168  moments. The temperature(s) of the anneal are also sufficiently low that the read sensors  112  and  114  are not adversely affected. In this embodiment, the magnetic field direction during the anneal in step  284  is not more than forty-five degrees from the ABS location. In some embodiments, the magnetic field is parallel to the ABS (e.g. in the cross-track direction).  FIG. 16  depicts the wafer  300  after step  284 . The magnetic field is at an angle of .theta.5. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , .theta.5 is zero degrees. The shield bias direction after the anneal, .beta.5, is the desired, final shield bias direction .alpha. This is not more than forty-five degrees from the ABS. In some embodiments, a is nominally thirty-five degrees. 
         [0080]    Using the method  270 , the desired biasing for the AFC shields  130 ,  170 , and  160  may be achieved. The benefits of the transducers  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ and/or  110 ′″ may thus be realized.