Patent ID: 8867178

Claim:
A magnetic sensor, comprising: a read element; and a magnetic-domain-control film positioned on both sides of the read element in a cross-track direction, wherein the magnetic-domain-control film has a flare shape which causes the magnetic-domain-control film to flare away in an element height direction from a depthwise end of the read element and extending in both directions away from the read element in the cross-track direction, wherein the flare shape comprises a starting portion of the magnetic-domain-control film positioned adjacent the read element, the starting portion having a depthwise end that is about parallel with a depthwise end of the read element, wherein a length of the starting portion in the cross-track direction is less than about 60 nm, wherein a depthwise length (hPM) at an end portion of the magnetic-domain-control film is about 1.2 to about 2.0 times a depthwise length (SH) of the read element, and wherein the read element has a width in the cross-track direction at an air bearing surface (ABS) thereof that changes along a track direction that is oriented perpendicular to the cross-track direction.