Magnetic read sensors and related methods having a rear hard bias and no AFM layer

A magnetic read sensor, comprising:

• a first pinning layer magnetically oriented in a first direction, the first pinning layer extending a first distance from a media facing surface;
• a second pinning layer formed above the first pinning layer and magnetically oriented in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction, the second pinning layer extending a second distance from the media facing surface that is less than the first distance;
• a spacer layer between the first pinning layer and the second pinning layer;
• a free layer formed above the second pinning layer, the free layer comprising an inward end disposed at the media facing surface and an outward end;
• a barrier layer between the second pinning layer and the free layer;
• and
• a rear hard bias disposed outwardly of the second pinning layer relative to the media facing surface, the rear hard bias magnetically oriented to generate a magnetic field in a bias direction that points in the same direction as the second direction of the second pinning layer.

A magnetic read sensor, comprising:

• a first pinning layer magnetically oriented in a first direction;
• a second pinning layer formed above the first pinning layer and magnetically oriented in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction, wherein the first pinning layer has a larger stripe height than the second pinning layer;
• a spacer layer between the first pinning layer and the second pinning layer;
• a free layer formed above the second pinning layer, the free layer comprising an inward end disposed at a media facing surface and an outward end;
• a barrier layer between the second pinning layer and the free layer;
• a rear hard bias disposed outwardly of the second pinning layer relative to the media facing surface, the rear hard bias magnetically oriented to generate a magnetic field in a bias direction that points in the same direction as the second direction of the second pinning layer;
• and
• an insulation layer disposed between the spacer layer and the rear hard bias.