Magnetoresistive read transducer having patterned longitudinal bias

A magnetoresistive read transducer assembly comprising:

• an elongated thin film of magnetoresistive conductive layer formed of magnetic material, said magnetoresistive conductive layer having end regions separated by a central region;
• a thin film of antiferromagnetic material in direct contact with said end regions only of said magnetoresistive layer to produce a longitudinal bias in said end regions only by exchange biasing of a level sufficient to maintain said end regions of said magnetoresistive layer in a single domain state, said single domain states of said end regions thereby inducing a single domain state in said central region;
• a thin film of soft magnetic material parallel to but spaced from said magnetoresistive layer;
• conductive means connected to said magnetoresistive layer within said central region;
• and
• means for supplying a bias current to said conductive means to magnetically bias said magnetoresistive layer with transverse bias of a level sufficient to maintain said magnetoresistive layer in a high sensitivity condition whereby signal sensing means connected to said conductive means can determine the resistance changes in said magnetoresistive layer as a function of the fields which are intercepted by said layer.