Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a magnetic head, a protective coating on a media-facing side of the head, and an indentation in the protective coating having a dimension that, when the protective coating wears, is indicative of an amount of wear of the protective coating. A method, in another embodiment, comprises creating an indentation in a protective coating of a magnetic head, the indentation having a dimension that, when the protective coating wears, is indicative of an amount of wear of the protective coating. In another embodiment, a method comprises visually inspecting indentations in a protective coating of a magnetic head, wherein at least two of the indentations have differing dimensions that, when the protective coating wears, are indicative of the amount of wear of the protective coating. The method also includes estimating an amount of wear of the protective coating based on the visual inspection.

Abstract: A method for enabling different modes on a multi-modal data storage system such as a tape-based data storage system includes enabling a data storage system to operate in at least one of two modes, a first of the modes being different than a second of the modes. In one embodiment, the data storage system has all physical components required to operate in the first and second modes. An ability to operate in at least one of the modes is not allowed prior to enabling the data storage system to operate in the at least one of the modes.

Abstract: A method for reading data using a magnetic head having a first array of elements associated with a first data format, and a second array of elements associated with a second data format, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof, wherein the first and second arrays of elements are generally laterally adjacent each other in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of a magnetic medium over the head, the method comprising: determining a format of data on a medium; selecting one of the arrays of elements to read the data on the medium based on the determined format of the data; and positioning the selected array over the data on the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a substrate having a tape bearing surface; a plurality of elements coupled to the substrate and positioned towards the first tape bearing surface, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof; and an outrigger held in a fixed position relative to the substrate, the outrigger having a tape bearing surface; wherein the outrigger tape bearing surface and the substrate tape bearing surface lie along planes, the planes being offset from one another.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a first array of elements associated with a first data format and a second array of elements associated with a second data format, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof. The first and second arrays of elements are adjacent each other in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of a magnetic medium over the head.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a magnetic head includes a module having a substrate and a gap, the gap having an array of transducers therein, wherein the gap is recessed from a plane extending across a tape bearing surface side of the substrate; and a coating of aluminum oxide above at least a tape bearing surface side of the gap, the aluminum oxide having polycrystalline portions and amorphous portions.

Abstract: A system in one embodiment includes first and second modules, each module having a substrate, a closure, and a gap situated therebetween, the gap comprising transducers selected from readers and writers; wherein the closures face each other, wherein the closure and the substrate of each module form a flat tape bearing surface, wherein a module spacing is defined as a distance from a point proximate to the transducers in the gap of the first module to a point proximate to the transducers in the gap of the second module, wherein the module spacing is less than 1.3 mm and greater than 0 mm.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes ion milling at a first angle of greater than about 25 degrees from normal relative to a media facing side of a thin film region of a magnetic head or component thereof for recessing the thin film region at about a constant rate for films of interest of the thin film region, planes of deposition of the films being oriented about perpendicular to the media facing side; and ion milling or plasma sputtering at a second angle of less than about 25 degrees from normal relative to the media facing side of the thin film region for recessing magnetic films therein faster than insulating films therein, the second angle being smaller than the first angle.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a substrate having a first tape bearing surface and a second (outrigger) tape bearing surface, preferably with a slot therebetween. A plurality of elements (readers and/or writers) are coupled to the substrate and positioned towards the first tape bearing surface. The first and second tape bearing surfaces lie along planes, the planes being offset from one another spatially and/or angularly. The second tape bearing surface, like typical flat profile heads, induces a small spacing between a tape passing thereover and its tape bearing surface. The second tape bearing surface is positioned below the plane of the first tape bearing surface, thereby creating the proper wrap angle of the tape relative to the first tape bearing surface.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate having a tape bearing surface. A plurality of elements are coupled to the substrate and positioned towards the tape bearing surface. The elements selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof. A base is coupled to the substrate. The base has an outrigger formed integrally therewith. The outrigger causes a tape passing thereacross to approach the substrate at a first wrap angle relative to a plane of the tape bearing surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for enabling different modes on a multi-modal data storage system such as a tape-based data storage system includes enabling a data storage system to operate in at least one of two modes, a first of the modes being different than a second of the modes. In one embodiment, the data storage system has all physical components required to operate in the first and second modes. An ability to operate in at least one of the modes is not allowed prior to enabling the data storage system to operate in the at least one of the modes.

Abstract: A system comprises a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof, the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger spacing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A magnetic head in one embodiment comprises a plurality of components separated from each other by insulative portions; and at least one connective element coupling the components together. A magnetic tape head in another embodiment comprises a substrate; a closure separated from the substrate by an insulative portion; and at least one connective element coupling the substrate and closure together.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a substrate having a media support surface; a gap coupled to the substrate, the gap having at least one of a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor and a writer; a closure coupled to the gap on a side thereof opposite the substrate, said closure forming a portion of the media support surface; and a material formed in one or more recesses extending into the media support surface of at least one of the substrate and the closure.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head adapted for at least one of reading from a magnetic medium and writing to the medium; a drive mechanism for directing the medium over the head; and a first element for selectively altering a voltage of the medium for altering a state of hydration of the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic, head according to one embodiment includes a substrate; a sensor formed above the substrate; a second shield formed above the sensor and the substrate; a first insulation layer positioned between the substrate and the sensor; a second insulation layer positioned between the sensor and the second shield; and a nonmagnetic, non-electrically insulative layer formed between the substrate and the sensor.

Abstract: A method for reading data using a magnetic head having a first array of elements associated with a first data format, and a second array of elements associated with a second data format, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof, wherein the first and second arrays of elements are generally laterally adjacent each other in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of a magnetic medium over the head, the method comprising: determining a format of data on a medium; selecting one of the arrays of elements to read the data on the medium based on the determined format of the data; and positioning the selected array over the data on the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head adapted for at least one of reading from a magnetic medium and writing to the medium; a drive mechanism for directing the medium over the head; and a first element for selectively altering a voltage of the medium for altering a state of hydration of the medium.

Abstract: An electronic component according to one embodiment comprises a portion of a row cut from a wafer; and a closure coupled to the portion of the row of the wafer towards a first edge of the portion of the row of the wafer; the portion of the row of the wafer having a bonding area positioned adjacent a second edge of the portion of the row of the wafer, the second edge of the portion of the row of the wafer being positioned opposite the first edge of the portion of the row of the wafer and along a same side thereof, wherein the bonding area includes a layer of adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive coupled to the bonding area is spaced from the closure. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A method for enabling different modes on a multi-modal data storage system such as a tape-based data storage system includes enabling a data storage system to operate in at least one of two modes, a first of the modes being different than a second of the modes. In one embodiment, the data storage system has all physical components required to operate in the first and second modes. An ability to operate in at least one of the modes is not allowed prior to enabling the data storage system to operate in the at least one of the modes.