A spin valve sensor includes an antiparallel (AP) pinned layer structure
which is self-pinned without the assistance of an antiferromagnetic (AFM)
pinning layer. A free layer of the spin valve sensor has first and second
wing portions which extend laterally beyond a track width of the spin
valve sensor and are exchange coupled to first and second AFM pinning
layers. Magnetic moments of the wing portions of the free layer are pinned
parallel to the ABS and parallel to major planes of the layers of the
sensor for magnetically stabilizing the central portion of the free layer
which is located within the track width.
