Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a reel having a hub, and a damping layer coupled to the reel for translating motion of a motor to the reel. The damping layer is physically configured to dampen motor-induced motion of the reel along an axis of rotation of the reel. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a reel having a hub, and a damping layer coupled to the reel for translating motion of a motor to the reel. The damping layer includes a laminate having a first metal layer and a viscoelastic layer extending along the first metal layer for dampening motor-induced motion of the reel along an axis of rotation of the reel.

Abstract: An optical data storage device includes an optical storage tape having one or more optical storage layers. A plurality of optical pickup units reads and/or writes data to the optical storage tape. A feed reel provides the optical storage tape to the optical pickup units. A guiding wheel that guides the optical storage tape when the optical storage tape is in the vicinity of the optical pickup units during read and/or write operations. Finally, a take-up reel receives the optical storage tape from the guiding wheel.

Abstract: A method for counteracting longitudinal oscillations in a magnetic tape as it passes over a head in a tape drive system includes the steps of passing the magnetic tape over the head, detecting the occurrence of longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape, and generating counteractive longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape that are substantially 180° out of phase with the longitudinal oscillations to substantially cancel the longitudinal oscillations.