Free layer magnetic reader that may have a reduced shield-to-shield spacing

A magnetic read apparatus comprising:

• a read sensor comprising a free layer and a nonmagnetic spacer layer;
• a top shield structure comprising:
• a first ferromagnetic layer;
• a second ferromagnetic layer;
• a nonmagnetic layer between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer;
• an antiferromagnetic layer;
• and
• a top shield, wherein the antiferromagnetic layer is between the top shield and the second ferromagnetic layer;
• and
• a shield structure,
• wherein the read sensor is between the top shield structure and the shield structure.

A magnetic read apparatus comprising:

• a read sensor;
• a shield structure;
• a top shield structure comprising:
• a first ferromagnetic layer;
• a second ferromagnetic layer;
• a nonmagnetic layer between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer;
• an antiferromagnetic layer;
• and
• a top shield, wherein the antiferromagnetic layer is between the top shield and the second ferromagnetic layer;
• and
• a bottom shield,
• wherein the read sensor is between the top shield structure and the shield structure;
• and
• wherein the shield structure is between the read sensor and the bottom shield.