Higher stability read head utilizing a partial milling process

A method for forming a magnetoresistive (MR) read head, the method comprising:

• forming a fixed layer comprising a first ferromagnetic material that has a direction of magnetization that is fixed above a lower shield layer;
• forming a free layer comprising a second ferromagnetic material positioned above the fixed layer, the free layer having a direction of magnetization that is not fixed;
• forming a first mask above the free layer, the first mask having a predetermined width based on a track width of a magnetic medium;
• etching the free layer down to the fixed layer using the first mask as a guide, wherein substantially none of the fixed layer is etched, and wherein the fixed layer extends beyond both sides of the free layer in a cross-track direction;
• and
• forming magnetic domain control films on both sides of the free layer in the cross-track direction, the magnetic domain control films comprising a soft magnetic material.

A magnetoresistive (MR) read head, comprising:

• a fixed layer comprising a first ferromagnetic material that has a direction of magnetization that is fixed;
• a free layer comprising a second ferromagnetic material positioned above the fixed layer, the free layer having a direction of magnetization that is not fixed, wherein the fixed layer extends beyond both sides of the free layer in a cross-track direction;
• and
• magnetic domain control films positioned on both sides of the free layer at a media-facing surface in the cross-track direction, the magnetic domain control films comprising a soft magnetic material,
• wherein the free layer and the magnetic domain control films have a same height in an element height direction from a media-facing surface.