Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a roller guide. A patterned bar is also positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. Moreover, the patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. The patterned bar is also not directly coupled to the module, and both edges of the patterned bar which engage the magnetic tape are skiving edges. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

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: 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: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a roller guide. A patterned bar is also positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. Moreover, the patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. The patterned bar is also not directly coupled to the module, and both edges of the patterned bar which engage the magnetic tape are skiving edges. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module; a roller guide; and a patterned bar positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. The patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. Moreover, the patterned bar is not directly coupled to the module. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

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: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module; a roller guide; and a patterned bar positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. The patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. Moreover, the patterned bar is not directly coupled to the module. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, a guide configured to guide a magnetic tape over the module, and a patterned bar positioned relative to the guide and module to engage the magnetic tape. The patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface of the patterned bar. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.