An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having an array of first read transducers each having a tunnel valve structure and a second read transducer coupled to the array of first read transducers, the second read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. The apparatus also includes a controller, and a cable coupling the read transducers to the controller, thereby forming a plurality of circuits extending from the controller, each circuit corresponding to one of the transducers. Resistances of the circuits are about the same.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a first read transducer having a tunnel valve structure, and a second read transducer coupled to the first read transducer. The second read transducer has a tunnel valve structure as well, but the tunnel valve structure of the first read transducer has a different resistivity than the tunnel valve structure of the second read transducer. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes an array of first read transducers, each first read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. At least a second read transducer is coupled to the first read transducers, the second read transducer having a tunnel valve structure. The tunnel valve structure of the first read transducer has a different resistivity than the tunnel valve structure of the second read transducer.

An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a tape head having: a write module, a read module, and a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along the read module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes: a sensor structure, an upper and lower magnetic shield, an upper conducting spacer layer between the sensor structure and the upper magnetic shield, a lower conducting spacer layer between the sensor structure and the lower magnetic shield, and electrically insulating layers opposite the sensor structure. The sensor structure includes a cap layer, a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a reference layer and antiferromagnetic layer. A height of the free layer measured in a direction perpendicular to a media bearing surface of the read module is less than a width of the free layer measured in a cross-track direction perpendicular to an intended direction of media travel.

A slider of a magnetic recording head comprises a ground pad and a plurality of electrical bond pads coupled to bias sources. A component of the slider is coupled between first and second bond pads. A first heater of the slider is coupled between the first bond pad and the ground pad. A second heater of the slider is coupled between the second bond pad and the ground pad. A first diode is disposed on the slider and coupled in series with the first heater. A second diode is disposed on the slider and coupled in series with the second heater.

A slider of a magnetic recording head includes a ground pad and a plurality of electrical bond pads coupled to bias sources. The plurality of electrical bond pads includes a plurality of shared bond pads. A first component of the slider is coupled to a first bond pad and one of the shared bond pads. The slider includes one or more additional components each coupled to a respective pair of the shared bond pads. A first ground-coupled component of the slider is coupled between one of the shared bond pads and the ground pad. A first diode is disposed on the slider and coupled in series with the first ground-coupled component. A first Zener diode can be disposed on the slider and coupled between the first diode and the ground pad for enhanced ground noise immunity of the powered devices.

A multi-sensor reader that includes a first sensor that has a first sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field. The first sensor also includes a first seed layer below the first sensor stack. The multi-sensor reader also includes a second sensor stacked over the first sensor. The second sensor includes a second sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to the external magnetic field. The second sensor also includes a second seed layer below the second sensor stack. A stabilization element is included to maintain a magnetization direction of the second seed layer and to stabilize the second seed layer.

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.

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.

A lateral spin valve reader includes a channel layer having a first end that is proximate to a bearing surface and a second end that is away from the bearing surface. The lateral spin valve reader also includes a detector structure disposed over an upper surface of a first portion of the channel layer that is proximate to the first end of the channel layer. A spin injection structure disposed below a lower surface of a second portion of the channel layer is proximate to the second end of the channel layer. An area of overlap between the spin injection structure and the second portion of the channel layer is substantially larger than an area of overlap between the detector structure and the first portion of the channel layer.

A scissor type magnetic sensor for magnetic data recording having a flux closure magnetic side shield structure. The magnetic sensor has a magnetic side shield structure that includes a non-magnetic layer within a magnetic material layer, with the non-magnetic layer being removed from the sensor stack so as to define upper and lower magnetic portions of the magnetic structure that are separated from one another at a region away from the sensor stack. The upper and lower magnetic portions are connected with one another in a region near the sensor stack so as to magnetic flux closure structure. The novel magnetic side shield structure provides net neutral magnetization that does not provide an inadvertent biasing to the magnetic free layers of the magnetic sensor.