Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a substrate, read and write transducers positioned towards a media facing side of the module, and a closure. The write transducers include write poles having media facing sides with zero or near-zero recession from a plane extending along the media facing side of a substrate of the module. The read transducers each have two shields. Media facing sides of the two shields are recessed a same amount from the plane, and are more recessed from the plane than the write poles.

Abstract: In an approach for providing simulation results of an interaction between a transducer head and a magnetic medium, a computer identifies a first raster scan of a sample via a scanning probe microscope. The computer generates a topography image based on the first raster scan of the sample. The computer identifies one or more reference features within the created topography image. The computer calculates an average height based on the one or more reference features. The computer determines a lift distance associated with a probe of the scanning probe microscope. The computer defines a uniform plane based on the calculated average height and the determined lift distance. The computer performs a second raster scan of the sample based on the defined uniform plane. The computer generates a fly-height image based on the second raster scan. The computer provides simulation results based at least in part on the second raster scan.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head, according to one embodiment, includes supplying a magnetic recording head having a gap disposed between a rowbar substrate and a closure, said rowbar substrate and closure having a tape support surface, recessing the gap below the level of the tape support surface, sputter cleaning the head, and depositing an insulation layer on the tape support surface and the recessed gap. In addition, about an entire upper surface of the insulation layer above the gap is recessed from the tape support surface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting sensor-damaging tape media, according to one embodiment, includes acquiring a metric for at least one sensor of a tape drive after performing an operation on a magnetic recording tape, and comparing the metric for the at least one sensor after performing the operation to a metric for the at least one sensor acquired before performing the operation. An action is taken in response to a result of the comparing indicating that a difference between the metrics is in a predetermined range. A product, according to one embodiment, includes a magnetic recording tape, and a memory coupled to the magnetic recording tape. At least one value is stored in the memory, the at least one value being indicative of whether the magnetic recording tape is potentially sensor-damaging.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a magnetic transducer in a thin film region, and an edge closest to the transducers. A guide is positioned relative to the edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape above a tape tenting region of the tape bearing surface. The magnetic transducer is positioned along the tape tenting region. The magnetic transducer is positioned a distance from a location on the tape bearing surface directly under a peak that is more than one-fourth the length from the location directly under the peak to the edge closest thereto.

Abstract: A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. Moreover, the program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to: detect, by the controller, a change in a resistance value of at least one of a plurality of detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. Moreover, none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of transducer structures arranged along a tape bearing surface of a common module. Each transducer structure includes a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, at least one lead, and an insulating layer between the at least one lead and the shield closest thereto. The at least one lead is selected from a group including an upper electrical lead between the sensor and the upper shield, and a lower electrical lead between the sensor and the lower shield. The at least one lead is in electrical communication with the sensor. A width of one or more of the at least one lead in a cross track direction is about equal to a width of the sensor.

Abstract: A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a controller to cause the controller to: monitor, by the controller, a resistance value of each of a plurality of detector structures positioned in an array, and detect, by the controller, a change in a resistance value of at least one of the detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. Moreover, none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes forming a wear-resistant in-situ film on a magnetic read transducer having a sensor with magnetic shields. The in-situ film including material derived from a flexible medium. The material is formed on the transducer by passing the flexible medium over the transducer at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic read transducer comprised of a sensing portion and proximate magnetic shields, and a wear-resistant in-situ film on a media-facing side of the read transducer. The in-situ film is comprised of material derived from a flexible medium. The in-situ film is primarily above the read transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic read transducer comprised of a sensing portion and proximate magnetic shields, and a wear-resistant in-situ film on a media-facing side of the read transducer. The in-situ film is comprised of material derived from a flexible medium. The in-situ film is primarily above the read transducer. A method according to one embodiment includes forming a wear-resistant in-situ film on a magnetic read transducer having a sensor with magnetic shields. The in-situ film including material derived from a flexible medium. The material is formed on the transducer by passing the flexible medium over the transducer at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a magnetic transducer in a thin film region, and an edge closest to the transducers. A guide is positioned relative to the edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape above a tape tenting region of the tape bearing surface. The magnetic transducer is positioned along the tape tenting region.

Abstract: An apparatus for burnishing media, according to one embodiment, includes a first block with a media bearing surface having a plurality of channels and lands. The channels and lands alternate in a direction of media travel. Each of the lands has at least one skiving edge along a width thereof. The width of each land extends orthogonally to the direction of media travel. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for inducing a wrap angle of the media relative to media bearing surfaces of at least some of the lands. Each induced wrap angle is greater than zero degrees. An apparatus for burnishing media according to another embodiment includes channels having widths that are less than a width of the media.

Abstract: In an approach for providing simulation results of an interaction between a transducer head and a magnetic medium, a computer identifies a first raster scan of a sample via a scanning probe microscope. The computer generates a topography image based on the first raster scan of the sample. The computer identifies one or more reference features within the created topography image. The computer calculates an average height based on the one or more reference features. The computer determines a lift distance associated with a probe of the scanning probe microscope. The computer defines a uniform plane based on the calculated average height and the determined lift distance. The computer performs a second raster scan of the sample based on the defined uniform plane. The computer generates a fly-height image based on the second raster scan. The computer provides simulation results based at least in part on the second raster scan.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining, by the computer, whether a difference between information and corresponding design values is in a range. The information corresponds to how an array of writers write and/or are expected to write to a magnetic medium during shingled recording. Moreover, the computer-implemented method further includes: computing, by the computer and using the information, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled track edges are aligned according to a format in response to determining that the difference between the information and corresponding design values is not in the range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to wear measurement. A system according to one embodiment includes a transport mechanism for running a tape across a wear structure and a measuring device for optically measuring an extent of wear of the wear structure by directly optically detecting a back of the tape. A method according to one embodiment includes positioning a tape across a wear structure and optically determining a first position of a back of the tape by directly optically detecting the back of the tape. The tape is rim across the wear structure for a period of time, and a second position of the back of the tape is optically determined by directly optically detecting the back of the tape after the period of time. A difference between the first and second positions is determined.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least one tunneling magnetoresistance sensor. The resistance of the tunnel barrier of each tunneling magnetoresistance sensor is about 25 ohms or less. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least one tunneling magnetoresistance sensor. The resistivity of the tunnel barrier of each tunneling magnetoresistance sensor is less than a product of a target resistance of the tunnel barrier and an area of the tunnel barrier. The target resistance is about 25 ohms or less.

Abstract: A food processing tool for extracting a consumable food product from a food item can include a first reamer having an outer surface, with the food item positioned on the first reamer, and a second reamer having an interior surface. The food processing tool can also include a drive mechanism fixedly coupled to the second reamer, where the drive mechanism can move the second reamer toward the first reamer so that the interior surface of the second reamer contacts the food item to compress the food item. The compression of the food item can alter a shape of the food item to a substantially flat shape and produce the consumable food product. The food processing tool can also include a receptacle sized and shaped to receive the consumable food product. Related methods for using the food processing tool are also provided.

Abstract: In an approach for providing simulation results of an interaction between a transducer head and a magnetic medium, a computer identifies a first raster scan of a sample via a scanning probe microscope. The computer generates a topography image based on the first raster scan of the sample. The computer identifies one or more reference features within the created topography image. The computer calculates an average height based on the one or more reference features. The computer determines a lift distance associated with a probe of the scanning probe microscope. The computer defines a uniform plane based on the calculated average height and the determined lift distance. The computer performs a second raster scan of the sample based on the defined uniform plane. The computer generates a fly-height image based on the second raster scan. The computer provides simulation results based at least in part on the second raster scan.