Magnetic head having a long throat height pinned layer with a short height hard bias layer

A magnetic head, comprising:

• a lower shield;
• a magnetoresistive (MR) film positioned above the lower shield, the MR film comprising a pinned layer, an intermediate layer positioned above the pinned layer, and a free layer positioned above the intermediate layer, the free layer being configured for sensing data on a magnetic medium, wherein a track width of the MR film is defined by a width of the free layer in a cross-track direction;
• a bias layer positioned on both sides of the MR film in the cross-track direction;
• a track insulating film positioned on both sides of the MR film in the cross-track direction and between the MR film and the bias layer;
• and
• an upper shield positioned above the bias layer and MR film,
• wherein a length of the bias layer in an element height direction perpendicular to an air bearing surface of the magnetic head is about equal to a length of the free layer in the element height direction.

A method for forming a magnetic head, the method comprising:

• forming a lower shield;
• forming a magnetoresistive (MR) film above the lower shield, the MR film comprising:
• an underlayer film formed above the lower shield;
• a pinned layer formed above the underlayer film;
• an intermediate layer formed above the pinned layer;
• a free layer configured for sensing data on a magnetic medium formed above the intermediate layer, wherein a track width of the MR. film is defined by a width of the free layer in a cross-track direction;
• and
• a cap film formed above the free layer;
• forming a track insulating film on both sides of the MR film in the cross-track direction;
• forming a bias layer adjacent the track insulating film on both sides of the MR film in the cross-track direction;
• and
• forming an upper shield above the bias layer and MR film,
• wherein the bias layer is formed such that at least one of:
• a length of the bias layer in an element height direction perpendicular to an air bearing surface of the magnetic head is about equal to a length of the free layer in the element height direction;
• and
• the length of the free layer in the element height direction is less than a length of the pinned layer in the element height direction.