Patent ID: 7403359

Claim:
A GMR sensor for reading data from a moving data storage tape in a tape drive system, said GMR sensor comprising: multiple layers formed of selected ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and non-magnetic materials, said layers positioned together in a stacked relationship with one another, the ends of at least some of said layers collectively defining a planar detection surface positioned in close relationship with said moving tape; one of said layers comprising a Cu spacer layer positioned between first and second ferromagnetic layers of said sensor, said Cu layer having an end surface spaced apart from the plane of said detection surface by a spacing dimension of between 30 and 100 nm; a protective coating being applied to said end surface of said Cu layer to inhibit corrosion thereof; and said first and second layers are formed of metallic ferromagnetic layers and/or alloys containing Ni, Fe, Co, or combinations thereof, selectively, and a pole tip recession on the order of 10 nm is formed at the ends of said first and second layers.