Adjacent magnetoresistive read head and method for obtaining position error signal

A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium, comprising:

• at least two elongate bodies each having at least one magnetoresistive part, the respective magnetoresistive parts of the at least two elongate bodies being disposed in different planes and each magnetoresistive part having a sensor portion defined along a length of said elongate bodies and having a sensor surface facing said medium, the respective sensor portions being defined by electrical connections to said magnetoresistive parts;
• said magnetoresistive parts being arranged in pairs, with each pair sharing a common permanent magnet section, and said tracks of said medium having a width, and said permanent magnet section having a width approximately equal to said width of said tracks;
• and
• respective shields disposed on opposite transverse sides of each of said elongate bodies, each of said shields having a shield surface facing said medium, with the respective shield surfaces alternating with the respective sensor surfaces.

A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium, comprising

• at least two elongate bodies each having at least one magnetoresistive part, the respective magnetoresistive parts of the at least two elongate bodies being disposed in different planes and each magnetoresistive part having a sensor portion defined along a length of said elongate bodies and having a sensor surface facing said medium, the respective sensor portions being defined by electrical connections to said magnetoresistive parts;
• said magnetoresistive parts being arranged in pairs, with each pair sharing a common permanent magnet section, and said tracks of said medium having a width, and said permanent magnet section having a width substantially narrower than said width of said tracks;
• and
• respective shields disposed on opposite transverse sides of each of said elongate bodies, each of said shields having a shield surface facing said medium, with the respective shield surfaces alternating with the respective sensor surfaces.

A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium, comprising

• at least two elongate bodies each having at least one magnetoresistive part, the respective magnetoresistive parts of the at least two elongate bodies being disposed in different planes and each magnetoresistive part having a sensor portion defined along a length of said elongate bodies and having a sensor surface facing said medium, the respective sensor portions being defined by electrical connections to said magnetoresistive parts;
• said magnetoresistive parts being arranged in pairs, with each pair sharing a common permanent magnet section, and said permanent magnet section being composed of a conductive material serving as an electrical connection;
• and
• respective shields disposed on opposite transverse sides of each of said elongate bodies, each of said shields having a shield surface facing said medium, with the respective shield surfaces alternating with the respective sensor surfaces.

A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium, said tracks having a width, said read head comprising:

• at least two elongate bodies each having at least one magnetoresistive part, each magnetoresistive part having a sensor portion defined along a length of said elongate bodies, the respective sensor portions being defined by electrical connections to said magnetoresistive parts;
• the respective sensor portions being equal to or narrower than said width of said tracks, and the respective sensor portions having a center-to-center pitch equal to approximately one-half of said width;
• and
• a shield disposed at least on opposite transverse sides of said elongate bodies.

A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium, said tracks having a width, said read head comprising:

• at least two elongate bodies each having at least one magnetoresistive part, each magnetoresistive part having a sensor portion defined along a length of said elongate bodies, the respective sensor portions being defined by electrical connections to said magnetoresistive parts;
• said magnetoresistive parts being arranged in pairs, with each pair sharing a common permanent magnet section, and each permanent magnet section having a width approximately equal to said width of said tracks;
• and
• a shield disposed at least on opposite transverse sides of said elongate bodies.

A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium, said tracks having a width, said read head comprising:

• at least two elongate bodies each having at least one magnetoresistive part, each magnetoresistive part having a sensor portion defined along a length of said elongate bodies, the respective sensor portions being defined by electrical connections to said magnetoresistive parts;
• said magnetoresistive parts being arranged in pairs, with each pair sharing a common permanent magnet section, and each permanent magnet section having a width substantially narrower than said width of said tracks;
• and
• a shield disposed at least on opposite transverse sides of said elongate bodies.