Abstract: Systems and methods that serve to limit the generation of stray magnetic fields by moving domain walls of magnetic shields of a magnetic head that would otherwise be received and interpreted as noise at the read sensor of the magnetic head. The utilities disclose use of first and second magnetic “closure” layers (e.g., soft magnetic layers) disposed about but spaced (i.e., magnetically isolated) from the first and second magnetic shields of the read portion of a magnetic head by first and second respective “closure” gaps (e.g., provided by any appropriate non-magnetic, high magnetic permeability material(s)). The closure layers create a magnetic environment for the shield edges that more closely resembles the interior of the shield, thereby minimizing or at least reducing the number of unstable edge domains and limiting subsequent domain wall movement.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a data storage system is provided. The system includes a controller that is configured to determine a direction of current flow to a first write element to write first data on a magnetic tape and to determine a direction of current flow to each of a plurality of neighboring write elements to write corresponding data on the magnetic tape. The controller is further configured to compare the direction of current flow to the first write element to the direction of current flow to the plurality of neighboring write elements. The controller is further configured to control the first write element to write the first data in response to comparing the direction of current flow to the first write element to the direction of current flow to each of the neighboring write elements.