Abstract: In an approach to improve write transducers a write transducer for recording data on a magnetic media is disclosed. The write transducer comprises a first pole piece. The write transducer further comprises a second pole piece. The first pole piece and the second pole piece are arranged in such a way, that a write gap is formed between the first pole piece and the second pole piece. A longitudinal axis is defined between opposite ends of the write gap. A length of the write gap along the longitudinal axis varies in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a device having a writer for magnetic media has a trailing pole piece having a portion adjacent a write gap, the portion having a throat height (h1) of between about 100 and about 800 nm, and an aspect ratio of thickness/throat height (t1/h1) in a range of 0.5 and 2.

Abstract: Provided are a tape erase element, tape erase device, and method for forming a tape erase element to erase content of a tape medium. The tape erase element comprises a housing forming a gap extending along a length of an outer surface of the housing. The gap extends from the outer surface of the housing to open into an inner space formed within the housing. A magnet is positioned within the inner space of the housing and having a surface extending across the gap. The magnet produces a magnetic flux that extends through a tape contact zone extending across a portion of the outer surface of the housing and the gap to erase content on the tape medium as the tape guide rollers guide the tape medium across the housing through the tape contact zone.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape comprises a tape substrate, a perpendicular magnetic recording layer disposed over the tape substrate, and a soft-magnetic underlayer disposed between the recording layer and the tape substrate. The perpendicular magnetic recording layer comprises magnetic particles suspended in a binder material, and the soft-magnetic underlayer comprises a continuous film of soft-magnetic material. The magnetic particles in the recording layer comprise one of barium ferrite, strontium ferrite, epsilon iron oxide and chromium dioxide. Tape storage apparatus employing such tape is also provided. The apparatus comprises a read/write head having at least one probe write-head for writing data by perpendicular recording on magnetic tape, at least one reel of magnetic tape as defined above, and a tape transport mechanism for transporting the magnetic tape past the read/write head.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a device having a writer for magnetic media has a trailing pole piece having a portion adjacent a write gap, the portion having a throat height (h1) of between about 100 and about 800 nm, and an aspect ratio of thickness/throat height (t1/h1) in a range of 0.5 and 2.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an array of write transducers. Each write transducer includes a lower yoke, a lower write pole piece comprising a lower base layer in magnetic communication with the lower yoke and a lower high moment layer above the lower base layer. Each write transducer includes a write gap above the lower write pole piece and an upper write pole piece above the write gap. The upper write pole piece includes an upper high moment layer above the write gap and an upper base layer above the upper high moment layer. Each write transducer includes an upper yoke above the upper base layer. A media facing side of the lower pole piece and at least a portion of a media facing side of the upper pole piece extend along a plane and the remainder of the media facing side of the upper pole piece is recessed from the plane.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, by one or more processors in electronic communication with a tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, wherein the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor is a component of a magnetic storage drive configured to read magnetic data from a magnetic storage medium, detecting a short across the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, measuring a change in resistance of the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, measuring a change in voltage amplitude for the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, and dividing said change in voltage amplitude by said change in resistance to yield a ratio. The computer-implemented method further includes, responsive to the ratio being greater than a predetermined ratio threshold, determining that the short is caused by a magnetic shunt. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, by one or more processors in electronic communication with a tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, wherein the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor is a component of a magnetic storage drive configured to read magnetic data from a magnetic storage medium, detecting a short across the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, measuring a change in resistance of the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, measuring a change in voltage amplitude for the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, and dividing said change in voltage amplitude by said change in resistance to yield a ratio. The computer-implemented method further includes, responsive to the ratio being greater than a predetermined ratio threshold, determining that the short is caused by a magnetic shunt. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a substrate and a closure, an array of transducers in a thin film structure on the substrate, the array being positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a heating element positioned in the thin film structure and recessed from the tape bearing surface, and a controller electrically coupled to the heating element. The controller is configured to apply a current pulse of size, shape and duration sufficient to induce a permanent expansion of the array of transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a module having an array of transducers, and a thermoelectric cooling element positioned proximate to the array of transducers. An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a module having an array of transducers, a thermoelectric cooling element positioned proximate to the array of transducers, and a heating element positioned proximate to the array of transducers. A method of maintaining a span of an array of transducers of module to a specification, according to one embodiment, includes determining whether the span of the array of transducers in a module is different than a target based on a specification. In response to determining the span is greater than the target, a control signal is applied to a thermoelectric cooling element positioned proximate to the span of the array of transducers for contracting the span of the array of transducers toward the target.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a write transducer having a pair of writer poles having pole tips, the pole tips defining a write gap therebetween. A thin film device is positioned at least in part in the write gap for raising a local temperature of the write gap. Electrical connections for causing a current to pass through the thin film device are also present. A method, in accordance with one embodiment, includes passing a current through a thin film device positioned at least in part in a write gap defined between pole tips of writer poles of a write transducer for causing heating of the thin film device. A level of the current is changed in response to detection of a predefined condition.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a module having an array of transducers, and at least two expansion elements positioned proximate the array of transducers. The expansion elements are arranged side by side along a line extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the array of transducers, wherein the array of transducers includes at least three servo readers. A controller is electrically coupled to the expansion elements, and is configured to individually control an extent of expansion of each expansion element based on feedback from the servo readers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.

Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic tape within a tape drive. The tape drive comprises a tape head, which shows a tape-bearing surface meant to face a front side of a magnetic tape, in operation. The tape-bearing surface comprises a transducer area. This area includes at least one transducer, which is a read or write element configured to read or write to the magnetic tape, respectively. The method may include driving the tape (along a longitudinal direction of circulation thereof above the tape-bearing surface) and concomitantly ejecting a gas flow toward the transducer area. The gas flow ejected impinges on the back side of the driven tape (e.g., opposite to the front side of the tape), so as to locally urge the front side of the tape against the transducer area and thereby read or write to the tape via said at least one transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a beam and a module coupled to the beam. The module has an array of transducers. A displacement device is positioned between the beam and the module for bending the module, thereby altering a pitch of the transducers. A method according to one embodiment includes applying a control signal to a displacement device positioned between a module having an array of transducers and a beam for bending the module, thereby altering a pitch of the transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a beam and a module coupled to the beam. The module has an array of transducers. A displacement device is positioned between the beam and the module for bending the module, thereby altering a pitch of the transducers. A method according to one embodiment includes applying a control signal to a displacement device positioned between a module having an array of transducers and a beam for bending the module, thereby altering a pitch of the transducers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a substrate and a closure, an array of transducers in a thin film structure on the substrate, the array being positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a heating element positioned in the thin film structure and recessed from the tape bearing surface, and a controller electrically coupled to the heating element. The controller is configured to apply a current pulse of size, shape and duration sufficient to induce a permanent expansion of the array of transducers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.