Abstract: An apparatus according to one approach includes an array of skew detection transducers. An array of write transducers is spaced from the array of skew detection transducers along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. An array of read transducers is aligned with the array of write transducers in the intended direction of tape travel. The apparatus also includes a first actuator configured to operatively exert a force on the array of skew detection transducers for orienting a longitudinal axis of the array of skew detection transducers substantially orthogonal to the actual direction of tape travel across the array of skew detection transducers. A magnetic recording medium according to one approach includes a magnetic recording tape having a longitudinal axis extending between distal ends thereof, the magnetic recording tape having vertical bars written in servo-skew patterns thereof, the vertical bars being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tape.

Abstract: In response to a rotation of timing-based servo (TBS) patterns of a first servo band and a second servo band, heights of top and bottom portions of servo stripes of servo frames of the TBS patterns are adjusted to compensate for changes in a usable height of the servo stripes caused by the rotation.

Abstract: In response to a rotation of timing-based servo (TBS) patterns of a first servo band and a second servo band, heights of top and bottom portions of servo stripes of servo frames of the TBS patterns are adjusted to compensate for changes in a usable height of the servo stripes caused by the rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head. A controller is configured to instruct the drive mechanism to drive the selected tape spool pair during performance of data operations on the selected tape spool pair, and to instruct the drive mechanism to drive a second tape spool pair for performing a second operation on the second tape spool pair while the data operations are being performed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic head having a first array of read transducers, an array of write transducers, and a second array of read transducers. A center-to-center pitch of the read transducers in the first array is less than a center-to-center pitch of the write transducers. A center-to-center pitch of the read transducers in the second array is greater than a center-to-center pitch of the write transducers. The read transducers in the first and second arrays are aligned with the write transducers along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross for enabling read-while-write operation.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one approach includes an array of skew detection transducers. An array of write transducers is spaced from the array of skew detection transducers along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. An array of read transducers is aligned with the array of write transducers in the intended direction of tape travel. The apparatus also includes a first actuator configured to operatively exert a force on the array of skew detection transducers for orienting a longitudinal axis of the array of skew detection transducers substantially orthogonal to the actual direction of tape travel across the array of skew detection transducers. A magnetic recording medium according to one approach includes a magnetic recording tape having a longitudinal axis extending between distal ends thereof, the magnetic recording tape having vertical bars written in servo-skew patterns thereof, the vertical bars being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, includes an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module. Two outer arrays of data transducers are positioned to sandwich the inner array therebetween. Inner servo readers are positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays. Outer servo readers are positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays. Widths of at least some of the outermost data transducers in the inner array are less than widths of at least some of the innermost data transducers in the inner array.

Abstract: In response to a rotation of timing-based servo (TBS) patterns of a first servo band and a second servo band, heights of top and bottom portions of servo stripes of servo frames of the TBS patterns are adjusted to compensate for changes in a usable height of the servo stripes caused by the rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of mounts, each mount being configured to support at least one tape spool pair thereon. A magnetic head is configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. A product apparatus, in accordance with another approach, includes a mount having a tape spool pair thereon. The mount is configured to be inserted in a receiving area of an apparatus configured to receive a plurality of mounts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precise and fast measurement of distances between fiducial features of samples such as transducers spans. In one approach, the apparatus includes a sample holder for holding a plurality of discrete samples having fiducial features thereon. The apparatus also includes a device configured to acquire locations of the fiducial features of the samples positioned in the sample holder. An x-y stage is configured to move the sample holder along an x-y plane for selectively positioning a first fiducial feature of a selected one of the samples to within ±10 micrometers or better of a predefined location in a field of view of the device in both x and y directions. A precision stage is configured to control an extent of movement of the selected one of the samples along an axis a predefined distance to an accuracy of about ±50 nanometers or better.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precise and fast measurement of distances between fiducial features of samples such as transducers spans. In one approach, the apparatus includes a sample holder for holding a plurality of discrete samples having fiducial features thereon. The apparatus also includes a device configured to acquire locations of the fiducial features of the samples positioned in the sample holder. An x-y stage is configured to move the sample holder along an x-y plane for selectively positioning a first fiducial feature of a selected one of the samples to within ±10 micrometers or better of a predefined location in a field of view of the device in both x and y directions. A precision stage is configured to control an extent of movement of the selected one of the samples along an axis a predefined distance to an accuracy of about ±50 nanometers or better.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes at least one reading die coupled to a pedestal of an associated read beam, each reading die having an array of read transducers extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reading die. At least one writing die is coupled to a pedestal of an associated write beam, each writing die having an array of write transducers extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the writing die. The read and write beams are coupled together thereby forming a head. At least one region of at least one of the dice is cantilevered over the associated beam. Widths of the reading and writing dice measured in a direction of tape travel thereover are substantially the same. Widths of the pedestals of the read and write beams measured in the direction of tape travel thereover are substantially the same.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, includes an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module. Two outer arrays of data transducers are positioned to sandwich the inner array therebetween. Inner servo readers are positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays. Outer servo readers are positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays. Widths of at least some of the outermost data transducers in the inner array are less than widths of at least some of the innermost data transducers in the inner array.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a method. The method includes determining a reference plane for a tape drive read-write array. The tape drive read-write array includes a first array element, a predetermined array element, and a last array element. Further, determining the reference plane is based on a first array position of the first array element and a last array position of the last array element. The method also includes capturing a position of a predetermined array element using an imaging device. The method further includes determining a deviation of the captured position from the reference plane. Additionally, the method includes generating a plot of an in-plane bow based on the deviation.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a write transducer having: a bottom yoke, a top yoke, a nonmagnetic write gap positioned between the top and bottom yokes, a bottom pole extending from the bottom yoke toward the write gap, and a top pole extending from the top yoke toward the write gap. A width of a media facing side of the bottom pole is about the same as a width of a media facing side of the top pole. The media facing side of the bottom pole is aligned with the media facing side of the top pole along a thickness direction. A method, according to one embodiment, includes performing bidirectional writing to a magnetic recording tape using a write transducer as described above.

Abstract: A method, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, includes forming various layers of a data read transducer structure and of a lower shield layer of a servo read transducer structure in an array with the data read transducer structure in common fabrication steps. The formed dielectric layers of both read transducer structures, coupled with the unique shield structure of the data read transducer structure, work in concert to provide robust resistance to asperity-induced shorting while also lower smaller read gap thickness.

Abstract: In one general approach, an apparatus includes a read transducer structure having a media facing surface. The read transducer structure has a lower shield, and an upper shield formed above the lower shield. The upper and lower shields providing magnetic shielding. A current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor is positioned between the upper and lower shields. A dielectric layer extends into one of the shields from the media facing surface. The dielectric layer extends into the one of the shields for a distance that is less than a height of the one of the shields. Preferably, a first dielectric layer extends into the lower shield from the media facing surface, and a second dielectric layer extends into the upper shield from the media facing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of tape spool pairs. A drive mechanism is configured to selectively drive the tape spool pairs. A magnetic head configured to perform data operations on magnetic recording tapes of the tape spool pairs is also present. A positioning mechanism is configured to selectively align the magnetic head to a selected one of the tape spool pairs. An engagement mechanism is configured to create a relative movement between the magnetic head and the magnetic recording tape of the selected tape spool pair for engaging the magnetic recording tape with the magnetic head.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming a tape head module having recessed portion to provide air bearing between a tape medium and a tape bearing surface of the tape head module. A module of the tape head has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, between the first and the second ends, a tape bearing surface and a second surface, opposite the tape bearing surface, between the first end, the second end, the first side, and the second side. Material is removed from the tape bearing surface of the module to form a first recessed portion between the first end and before a region of the tape bearing surface having an array of transducers, and between the first side and the second side.

Abstract: An approach to forming a tape head with a first soft bias pinning layer in a tape head structure. The tape head structure includes an antiferromagnetic material forming the first soft bias pinning layer over a sensor and stitching into a soft bias layer surrounding the sensor where the antiferromagnetic material of the first soft bias pinning layer has a lower magnetic reluctance than a material forming a freelayer in the sensor. Furthermore, the tape head structure includes a first spacer separated from the first soft bias pinning layer by the sensor in the tape head structure and a second spacer layer over the first soft bias pinning layer where a thickness of the first spacer and the second spacer is determined by an optimum shield to shield distance in the tape head structure.