Patent ID: 7161771

Claim:
A dual spin valve (SV) sensor having an air bearing surface (ABS), comprising: a first spin valve (SV) stack having a free layer magnetization that is biased in a direction that is substantially parallel to the ABS; a second spin valve (SV) stack; and a longitudinal bias stack disposed between said first and second SV stacks, said longitudinal bias stack further comprising: a first ferromagnetic (FM1) layer having a magnetization that is pinned in a direction substantially parallel with the ABS; a second ferromagnetic (FM2) layer having a magnetization that is pinned in a direction substantially parallel with the ABS; a layer of antiferromagnetic material disposed between said FM1and FM2 layers; a first decoupling layer disposed between said FM1 layer and said first spin valve stack; and a second decoupling layer disposed between said FM2 layer and said second spin valve stack.