Soft switching of magnetization in a magnetoresistive sensor

A magnetoresistive sensor may include a stripe portion comprising magnetoresistive material. The stripe portion may have a stripe width extending along a first axis from a first stripe edge of the stripe portion to a second stripe edge of the stripe portion, a length along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, a first end, and a second end. The first end and the second end may be positioned at opposite ends of the stripe portion along the second axis. The magnetoresistive sensor may include an extension portion comprising magnetoresistive material. The extension portion may be positioned at the first end of the stripe portion, and may have an extension width along the first axis. The extension width may be larger than the stripe width, such that the extension portion extends beyond the first stripe edge and the second stripe edge.