Digital output magnetoresistive (DOMR) head and methods associated therewith

A mass storage device comprising:

• a magnetic recording medium comprising magnetic transitions stored thereon;
• a magnetoresistive head supported in close proximity to said recording media comprising a layered structure deposited on a substrate, said layered structure comprising a pinned layer of magnetic material and a digital switching layer of magnetic material separated by a layer of nonmagnetic material, said pinned layer having a substantially fixed magnetization direction, said digital switching layer comprising first and second magnetization directions, said first magnetization direction being substantially parallel to said magnetization direction of said pinned layer after said head passes a first magnetic transition defined on the recording media, and said second magnetization direction being substantially antiparallel to said magnetization direction of said pinned layer after said head passes a subsequent magnetic transition defined on the recording media and manifesting a magnetic field polarity opposite in direction to that of said first magnetic transition;
• and
• digital read channel electronics having an input connected to the head for receiving and processing a serial data stream put out by the head during relative movement between the magnetic recording medium and the head.