Abstract: A method of making read-only magnetic recording media by the use of photolithographic/photoresist techniques, and the vacuum deposition of discrete bits of a high coercivity metal, followed by magnetization of said metal. A nonmagnetic substrate is covered by a layer of photoresist and a layer of high coercivity magnetic material. Selective light-pattern exposure of the resist, followed by layer-removal-procedures, cause the substrate to be covered by islands of hard magnetic material, in the pattern of a desired data track. The substrate is then subjected to the influence of a steady-state magnetic field in order to convert the metal islands into a read-only data pattern which can be read by a magnetic head. A floppy disk of this type is used to stress-test the head placement of floppy disk drives.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head assembly comprises a silicon substrate, a magnetoresistive element mounted on the substrate, and sapphire members formed around said substrate in a sandwich type configuration. The portion of the head which interacts in transducing relation with a magnetic medium is so configured as to realize improved wear characteristics as well as good heat dissipation with low thermal noise.