Abstract: Reducing alignment errors between a read element and corresponding write elements permits narrower data tracks and, hence, greater data density on magnetic tape. A method for manufacturing a thin film tape head having multiple write elements and at least one read element corresponding to each write element is provided. Excess material is trimmed from each write element to align the write element with corresponding read elements. The excess material may be track trimmed using a focused ion beam.

Abstract: Reducing alignment errors between a read element and corresponding write elements permits narrower data tracks and, hence, greater data density on magnetic tape. A method for manufacturing a thin film tape head having multiple write elements and at least one read element corresponding to each write element is provided. Excess material is trimmed from each write element to align the write element with corresponding read elements. The excess material may be track trimmed using a focused ion beam.

Abstract: Reducing alignment errors between a read element and corresponding write elements permits narrower data tracks and, hence, greater data density on magnetic tape. A method for manufacturing a thin film tape head having multiple write elements and at least one read element corresponding to each write element is provided. Excess material is trimmed from each write element to align the write element with corresponding read elements. The excess material may be track trimmed using a focused ion beam.

Abstract: The system for gap positioning optimization in a tape drive takes advantage of the presence of a pair of read heads, located one on either side of the write head, to precisely determine the boundary between the inter-block gap and the data blocks adjoining the inter-block gap. In particular, the servo mechanisms in the tape drive note the location of the boundary between the present data block and the inter-block gap formed a the end of the present data block. When the tape is repositioned between data read/write operations, this servo information is used to identify this boundary to initiate the subsequently received data read/write operation. A predetermined amount of inter-block gap is provided at the end of the data block to ensure that subsequently received data is not written on top of the present data block or the overwriting of the next data record begins at the beginning of the data block.