A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) differential giant magnetoresistive
(GMR) sensor that is insensitive to stray longitudinal and transverse
magnetic fields. The sensor includes an in stack bias layer structure
that is used to bias the magnetic moment of first and second free layers
disposed at either side thereof. The bias structure includes an
antiferromagnetic layer (AFM). An odd number of antiparallel (AP) coupled
magnetic layers are formed on a first side of the AFM and an even number
of AP coupled magnetic layers on the opposite side of the AFM.