Rear soft bias dual free layer sensor with patterned decoupling layer

A dual free layer (DFL) read head, comprising:

• a tunnel magneto resistance (TMR) sensor disposed at a media facing surface (MFS), wherein the TMR sensor has a first cross-track direction width at the MFS;
• soft bias (SB) side shields disposed adjacent to the TMR sensor at the MFS;
• insulating material disposed between the TMR sensor and the SB side shields, wherein the TMR sensor, the SB side shields, and the insulating material have a second cross-track direction width at the MFS;
• a rear soft bias (RSB) disposed adjacent to the TMR sensor and recessed from the MFS;
• a decoupling layer disposed on the TMR sensor, wherein the decoupling layer has a third cross-track direction width at the MFS, wherein the third cross-track direction width is greater than the first cross-track direction width and less than the second cross-track direction width, wherein a lower surface of the decoupling layer disposed in contact with the TMR sensor and the SB side shields is co-planar with an uppermost surface of the SB side shields;
• a first seed layer having a greater width in the cross-track direction and a greater length in a stripe height direction than the TMR sensor;
• an insulating layer disposed between the first seed layer and the RSB;
• and
• a second seed layer disposed between the insulating layer and the RSB.

A dual free layer (DFL) read head, comprising:

• a tunnel magneto resistance (TMR) sensor disposed at a media facing surface (MFS);
• soft bias (SB) side shields disposed adjacent to the TMR sensor in a cross-track direction at the MFS;
• a rear soft bias (RSB) disposed adjacent to the TMR sensor in a stripe height direction and recessed from the MFS, wherein the RSB has a first width in the cross-track direction;
• a decoupling layer disposed on the RSB, wherein the decoupling layer has a second width in the cross-track direction at the MFS, wherein the second width is greater than the first width, wherein a lower surface of the decoupling layer disposed in contact with the TMR sensor and the SB side shields is co-planar with an uppermost surface of the SB side shields;
• a first seed layer having a greater width in the cross-track direction and a greater length in the stripe height direction than the TMR sensor;
• an insulating layer disposed between the first seed layer and the RSB;
• and
• a second seed layer disposed between the insulating layer and the RSB.