Magnetoresistive read transducer having patterned orientation of longitudinal bias

A magnetic read transducer comprising:

• a thin film of magnetoresistive conductive layer formed of magnetic material, said magnetoresistive conductive layer having passive end regions separated by a central active region;
• a decoupling layer covering at least said active region of said magnetoresistive conductive layer;
• a thin film of soft magnetic material extending over said passive regions and said active region of said magnetoreistive conductive layer, said thin film of soft magnetic material being parallel to and in contact with said decoupling layer and separated from said magnetoresistive layer in said active region by said decoupling layer, said thin film of soft magnetic material being in contact with said magnetoresistive conductive member in the passive regions;
• a thin film of antiferromagnetic material in direct contact with and continuously covering the entire thin film of soft magnetic material to produce an exchange bias field;
• and
• means for orienting said exchange bias field in said passive regions so that said exchange bias field is directed substantially longitudinally along the thin film of soft magnetic material and the magnetoresistive conductive member, and means for orienting said exchange bias field in said active region of said thin film of soft magnetic material at a selected angle whereby a longitudinal bias is produced in said passive regions and a substantially transverse bias is produced at said selected angle in the active region of said transducer.