Abstract: A dual-stripe element magnetroresistive read head for reading information from a magnetic tape. The read head includes a first insulating layer, a first active magnetoresistive layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the first active magnetoresistive layer, a second active magnetoresistive layer formed on the second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer formed on the second active magnetoresistive layer. The second active magnetoresistive layer is magnetostatically coupled to the first active magnetoresistive layer. A periodic structure is formed on a surface of the first insulator layer. As the remaining layers are formed on the first insulating layer, the periodic structure is replicated throughout the read head. Thus, the periodic structure formed on the first insulator layer stabilizes both the first and second active layers via magnetic domain pinning for both layers along the edges of the periodic structure.

Abstract: The present invention divides the recording head into multiple sections, each section accessing a subset of the total number of channels arranged such that one section reads and writes only a subset of the data channels. The sections may be either independently actuated for both coarse (data band) and fine (track-following) positioning, or linked by a common actuator for data band positioning with independent fine position actuators for fine track following.

Abstract: The present invention divides the recording head into multiple sections, each section accessing a subset of the total number of channels arranged such that one section reads and writes only a subset of the data channels. The sections may be either independently actuated for both coarse (data band) and fine (track-following) positioning, or linked by a common actuator for data band positioning with independent fine position actuators for fine track following.

Abstract: A soft adjacent layer (SAL) vertically biased magnetoresistive (MR) sensor is disclosed. The SAL biased sensor includes at least three permanent magnet (PM) tabs (hereafter referred to as tabs). An MR sensor layer is disposed in relation to the tabs such that each of the tabs is spaced apart along a width of the MR sensor layer such that each of the tabs is in electrical and magnetic contact with the MR sensor layer to thereby stabilize the MR sensor layer. Preferably, a SAL is disposed in relation to the tabs such that each of the tabs is also spaced apart along a width of the SAL such that each of the tabs is in electrical and magnetic contact with the SAL. A spacer layer is formed between the MR sensor layer and the SAL.

Abstract: An arbitrary pattern write head assembly for writing timing-based servo patterns on magnetic storage media is provided, comprising: (a) a first pole piece comprising a substrate comprising a magnetic material, said substrate having a major surface; (b) a plurality of electrically conducting windings formed on the major surface; and (c) a second pole piece formed on the substrate, with a portion thereof formed above the plurality of electrically conducting windings and electrically insulated therefrom, the second pole piece having at least one opening therethrough defining a gap above the electrically conducting windings and the substrate, the second pole piece comprising at least two layers, each layer comprising a magnetic material. A method of batch fabricating servo writer heads is also provided for batch fabrication of servo writer heads at a very low cost. The method enables fabrication of heads capable of azimuthal recording commonly practiced in the video recording art.