Magnetic recording write head with selected write gap current direction for minimization of cross-track interference

A magnetic recording write head has an electrically-conductive structure in the write gap between the write pole and the trailing shield and electrical circuitry for directing current through the write gap. The current through the electrically-conductive structure generates a circular Ampere field which, at the disk-facing end of the write pole, is substantially parallel to the disk-facing end of the write pole. The electrically-conductive structure in the write gap may be a STO or an electrically-conductive layer that is not part of a STO. The current direction through the electrically-conductive structure in the write gap is selected so that the generated Ampere field at the write pole end is in substantially the same direction as the magnetization direction of the write head side shields, which has been discovered to result in minimization of cross-track interference.