Cross-Track Resolution of Readers With Shield Tabs

We study the effects of patterned shield tabs on the cross-track resolution of TMR read heads. Patterning tabs in the cross-track direction expands the design space in which to tune the magnetic width of the reader. We use a finite-element micromagnetic code to explore separately the effects of both the lower and upper shield tabs´ thicknesses and intrinsic moments. Cross-track profiles can be narrowed by increasing the moment of a thin upper shield tab. The slight widening of profiles due to a bottom shield tab may not be detrimental to overall bit density and balanced by an overall gain in down-track resolution.