A magnetoresistive read sensor incorporates a multilayer sensing element formed of one or more magnetoresistive elements in a planar array, each magnetoresistive element having a multilayer structure of at least two ferromagnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic layer. The ferromagnetic layers are coupled antiferromagnetically by magnetostatic coupling at opposing edges of the ferromagnetic layers. A bias layer separated from the magnetoresistive sensing element by a spacer layer provides a magnetic field to bias the magnetoresistive sensing element at a desired non-signal point for linear response. The magnetoresistive sensing element is formed by alternatively depositing layers of ferromagnetic material and layers of nonmagnetic material on a substrate and then patterning the resulting structure using photolithographic techniques to provide a planar array of magnetoresistive elements. A conductive layer is deposited over the array filling in the spaces separating the magnetoresistive elements to provide electrical conductivity between the elements in the plane of the structure. <IMAGE>
