Apparatus having recessed TMR read sensor structures for robust head-tape interface

An apparatus, comprising:

• a module having a tape bearing surface and a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along the tape bearing surface of the module,
• wherein each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes a sensor structure having a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a reference layer,
• wherein at least some of the sensor structures are recessed from a plane extending along the tape bearing surface;
• an at least partially polycrystalline coating on a media facing side of the recessed sensor structures,
• wherein the tape bearing surface extends between first and second edges of the module, the first edge being a skiving edge, wherein a first tape tenting region extends from the first edge along the tape bearing surface toward the second edge, wherein each tunnel valve read transducer is positioned in the first tape tenting region;
• and
• a first guide positioned relative to the first edge at a position that sets a wrap angle of a tape at the first edge that induces tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape moving from the first guide toward the module, wherein a location of the tenting is above the first tape tenting region.