Method to reduce baseline shift for a SOT differential reader

A sensing element, comprising:

• a spin orbital torque (SOT) differential reader disposed at a media facing surface, the SOT differential reader comprising:
• a first free layer;
• a second free layer;
• a gap layer;
• a first spin hall layer;
• a second spin hall layer, a positive terminal of the first spin hall layer being electrically connected to a positive terminal of the second spin hall layer, wherein a signal read out of the SOT differential reader is based on a voltage difference across a negative terminal of the first spin hall layer to a negative terminal of the second spin hall layer;
• and
• an electrical lead recessed from the media facing surface, the electrical lead being in contact with the gap layer, wherein the first free layer, the second free layer, the gap layer, the first spin hall layer, and the second spin hall layer are disposed at the media facing surface.

A method of forming a spin orbital torque (SOT) differential reader, comprising:

• depositing a first spin hall layer over a first shield, a first free layer on the first spin hall layer, and a gap layer on the first free layer to form a first stack, wherein the first shield has a first width extending from a media facing surface to a surface opposite to the media facing surface;
• removing portions of the first free layer, the first spin hall layer, and the gap layer to define a first track-width of the first stack, the first track-width of the first stack being less than the first width of the first shield;
• depositing a first insulator layer in contact with a first surface of the first stack, the first surface of the first stack being disposed opposite to the media facing surface;
• depositing a second free layer on the gap layer, a second spin hall layer on the second free layer, and a second insulator layer on the second spin hall layer to form a second stack on the first stack;
• removing central portions of the second insulator layer, the second spin hall layer, and the second free layer to define a second track-width of the second stack and to form an electrical lead disposed on the gap layer, wherein the electrical lead is recessed from the media facing surface;
• and
• depositing a second shield layer in contact with the electrical lead.