Anti-parallel coupled writer shields with stable magnetic domain configuration

A magnetic recording head, comprising:

• a main pole;
• a trailing shield disposed on the main pole, the trailing shield having a first domain state;
• an upper return pole disposed on the trailing shield, the upper return pole having a second domain state, the first and second domain states being anti-parallel;
• a first non-magnetic layer disposed between and in contact with the upper return pole and the trailing shield, wherein the upper return pole and the trailing shield are magnetostatically coupled;
• an upper leading shield disposed below the main pole, the upper leading shield having the first domain state;
• a lower leading shield disposed below the upper leading shield, the lower leading shield having the second domain state;
• and
• a second non-magnetic layer disposed between and in contact with the upper leading shield and the lower leading shield, wherein the upper leading shield and the lower leading shield are anti-ferromagnetically coupled.

A magnetic recording head, comprising:

• a main pole;
• a trailing shield disposed above the main pole, the trailing shield having a first domain state and a first thickness;
• an upper return pole disposed above the trailing shield, the upper return pole having a second domain state and a second thickness less than the first thickness, wherein the upper return pole and the trailing shield are anti-ferromagnetically coupled;
• a first non-magnetic layer disposed between the upper return pole and the trailing shield, the first non-magnetic layer comprising Ru, Cr, Rh, or Ir;
• an upper leading shield disposed below the main pole, the upper leading shield having the first domain state and the second thickness, wherein the upper leading shield comprises side shields disposed adjacent to the main pole;
• a lower leading shield disposed below the upper leading shield, the lower leading shield having the second domain state and the first thickness;
• and
• a second non-magnetic layer disposed between the upper leading shield and the lower leading shield, the second non-magnetic layer comprising NiCr, NiFeCr, Ti, Au, or Cu, wherein a total magnetostatic energy of the magnetic recording head is about 0, and wherein the upper leading shield and the lower leading shield are magnetostatically coupled.