Abstract: A magnetic head has two poles separated by a gap and at least one saturable element. The saturable element joins the poles and is outside the gap and parallel to the gap. The head may be in the form of a matrix device having a number of poles mounted over a similar number of pads in the substrate. The saturable element may link two poles of the head by means of a pole of another magnetic head.

Abstract: A write head, particularly a buried servowrite head provided with a head face (21) having a longitudinal direction (L) along which a magnetic recording medium can be relatively moved with respect to the magnetic head, and a width direction (W) oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction. In order to write signals simultaneously in various tracks, the write head is provided with a structure having integrated, juxtaposed write units (25a; 25b) extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction and the width direction and each being provided with at least one write gap (27a; 27b). One write gap of the one write unit and one write gap of the other write unit of every two adjacent write units are situated in mutually different planes (P1; P2) which are oriented substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic tape head including a split top pole. The split top pole configuration allows multiple patterns to be written simultaneously onto a servo band.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head assembly is provided for use with a magnetic tape storage medium. The assembly includes an interior tape head module having a magnetic gap with transverse slots on each side of the gap which substantially eliminate air and debris entrained between the module and the tape as the tape moves over the module. The assembly also includes a first exterior tape head module on one side of the interior module, the first exterior module having a magnetic gap with transverse slots on each side of the gap and a width greater than that of the interior module. The assembly still further includes a second exterior tape head module on another side of the interior module, the second exterior module having a magnetic gap with transverse slots on each side of the gap and a width greater than that of the interior module. The distances between the magnetic gaps of the modules are each approximately 0.060 inches.

Abstract: An inductive-write magnetoresistive-read horizontal head for magnetic recording having two polarization conductors. The two polarization conductors are used to simultaneously activate a MR sensor and to disable the write head during the read back process to eliminate the secondary read back signal from the inductive-write head. During the read process, the current through a first conductor biases the MR stripe while current through the second conductor generates an applied field to switch the magnetization of the Permalloy (NiFe) in the write head pole and reduce the permeability. The head incorporates write-wide read-narrow head attributes and has the reliability advantages associated with yoke or recessed MR or GMR structures. The magnetoresistive stripe may be disposed directly in the gap of the heads or it may be recessed.

Abstract: In a magnetic head device, I-shaped side and center cores are fitted to a slider, and magnetic gaps are formed by a part of the slider. Therefore, a magnetic path can be shortened, and the magnetic head device is constructed so as not to leave strains on the cores, so that the core loss is low. In addition, a back core (back plate) having a wide area is provided, so that heat-dissipating effect is enhanced. Therefore, magnetic field-generating efficiency can be improved in wide frequency bands. Further, by decreasing the number of turns of a coil, the inductance, the impedance, and the loss factor can be reduced.

Abstract: A dual gap horizontal thin film inductive head is provided which writes wide and reads narrow so as to avoid noise problems when reading an information track on a magnetic medium. The head has first and second gap layers between first and second horizontal pole tips. The pole tips and the corresponding pole pieces of the head are constructed of a high magnetic moment material, such as NiFe (Permalloy). The first gap layer is constructed of a magnetic insulator, such as tungsten, and the second gap layer is constructed of a low magnetic moment material, such as NiFeCr. Accordingly, the magnetic moment of the second gap layer is lower than the magnetic moment of the first and second pole tips and the corresponding first and second pole pieces. During recording both gap layers function as a gap because the second gap layer is saturated and behaves as a magnetic insulator.

Abstract: A magnetic head for a recording and reproducing device includes an inductive head for recording use having an upper magnetic pole and an upper magnetic shield layer, an MR element of an MR head element for reproducing use and an MR detection head element for detecting an off-tracking. The MR detection head element and the inductive head are approximately aligned so that the MR detection head element is positioned over an adjacent track gap when the inductive head is positioned over a track. The MR detection head element detects positioning errors due to impact and vibration.

Abstract: A recording/reading head for multitrack information media including magnetic tape recorders comprises a matrix of elementary heads positioned in rows and columns. The columns, and especially the neighboring columns, are not parallel to one another.

Abstract: A magnetic multi-head unit includes: a specific magnetic head formed so that a pair of magnetic yokes face each other on the same plane via a magnetic gap inclined by a predetermined azimuth angle; and a magnetic head which is adjacent to the specific magnetic head and which is formed so that a pair of magnetic yokes face each other on a plane different from the plane of the specific magnetic head via a magnetic gap inclined by the azimuth angle. The specific magnetic head and the adjacent magnetic head are laminated so as to form a plurality of layers while being shifted from each other in directions in which tracks on a magnetic disk extend.

Abstract: A multiple-gap head for transferring data to or from a storage medium is disclosed. Data read by the gaps are directed over a plurality of serial data paths where the data are processed and synchronized. In some embodiments, all or part of a data synchronizer is shared by the serial data paths. The data are then assembled into a parallel data stream for delivery to a computer. Reading the data simultaneously with multiple gaps increases by several times the rate at which data can be transferred to or from a storage medium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a three-gap head is provided to reduce or eliminate the cross-talk or noise fringe problems which reduce the track density in a storage medium. A signal attenuator and a signal inverter are connected to each of the side gaps and the outputs thereof are summed with the signal originating at the center gap, such that the inverted signals from the side gaps cancel any cross-talk originating at the center gap.

Abstract: A magnetic head device is disclosed, including a magnetic circuit having a head core unit, a back core and a coil. The head core unit includes a first core made from a magnetic material and a second core made from a magnetic material. A magnetic gap is formed between the first core and the second core. The back core is made from a magnetic material and is joined to the first core and the second core to form back gaps between the back core and vertical portions of the first and second cores, and the coil is mounted on the first core. The device includes a first holder which is bonded to the first and second cores at two locations, one on the side of the magnetic gap and one on the side of the back gaps, to hold the magnetic circuit. The device further includes a second holder which is bonded to the first and second cores at the magnetic gap side to hold the magnetic circuit, the second holder being substantially in the shape of a rectangular beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording and/or reading device with magnetic heads including at least two magnetic heads. A magnetic circuit for the closing of the magnetic flux has a pad common to both heads. A first pole of a first type magnetically couples the common pad to the gap of the first head through a non-magnetic link. A second pole of a second type, separated from the first pole by a non-magnetic interval, magnetically couples the common pad to the gap of the second head. Such a device finds applications to a system for recording and/or reading, notably on magnetic tapes.

Abstract: An improved method for forming a magnetic head which efficiently allows multiple head elements of varying gap length to be located on a common wafer. A multiple gap magnetic head is formed by depositing a first magnetic layer on a wafer such that the first layer extends across all the head element segments Two separate insulating layers are individually deposited over the first layer, with a thin etch stop barrier layer being deposited between the insulation layers over heads which are to have a narrower gap length. The top insulation layer covering the etch stop barrier layer is then removed, and a second magnetic layer deposited over all the head element segments on the wafer. In addition to simplifying the fabrication process, the etch stop layer allows tight processing control to be maintained when creating the different gap lengths.

Abstract: A magnetic head device for data cartridge including a recording head having a recording magnetic gap and a reproducing head having a reproducing magnetic gap united in one body is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a double magnetic head with two head gaps with opposite azimuths by forming a first magnetic head with a first head gap having a predetermined inclination angle on a first substrate and a second magnetic head having a second head gap with a second inclination angle on a second substrate and etching a first recess along the first head. The second head is received in the first recess and a second recess is etched along the second head to receive the first head. Subsequently, one of the heads is reversed and the first head is fitted into the second recess and the second head into the first recess so that the first and second inclination angles are opposed in a common reference frame thereby providing opposite azimuth angles.

Abstract: A magnetic head for use with a floppy disk device includes sliders (15, 16) formed in such a way that a magnetic head core (11) having a normal capacity is interposed between them and a magnetic head core having a large capacity (12) formed so as to be adjacent to one of the sliders. Grooves (15b, 15c, 20, 21) are respectively formed in the joints between the magnetic head core (11) having a standard capacity and the sliders (15, 16) and the joint between the magnetic head core having a large capacity (12) and the adjacent slider.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus intended for consumer use includes at least one digital head with nine digital transmission gaps for reading and/or writing compressed digital information in longitudinal tracks on a magnetic tape. The apparatus also includes electronic circuitry for compressing the digital information prior to writing, and for expanding the digital information after reading. This arrangement enables at least playback of digital audio information at the same frequency used for analog compact cassettes, so that inclusion of an analog head enables playback of analog compact cassettes as well.

Abstract: A head chip of a magnetic head is produced by a method in which magnetic core half blocks, each having plural track width delimiting grooves on its major surface and having a magnetic metal film of a soft magnetic metal material formed on the major surface, are abutted to each other with a gap material in-between to form a magnetic head block which is then sliced to give plural head chips for the magnetic head. Each track width delimiting groove is polygonally-shaped in cross-section and has at least two bends. This enables suppression of cracks of exfoliation of the magnetic metal film otherwise caused in the magnetic core during its fabrication to improve product yield and operational reliability.

Abstract: Magnetic head having a head face (1) and comprising a substrate (3) which is provided with a multilayer structure (5) with electrically conducting head elements (7) which are electrically arranged between electrically conducting connecting tracks (9; 11). For realizing the required connecting tracks in a simple manner, a set of connecting tracks (9) is implemented substantially as a common electric conductor (9A).

Abstract: A composite magnetic head having a head chip including an erasing core, a recording/reproducing core and a center core disposed between the erasing core and the recording/reproducing core. The erasing core is joined to the center core via a first nonmagnetic material which forms an erasing gap, and the recording/reproducing core is joined to the center core via a second nonmagnetic material which forms a recording/reproducing gap. The composite magnetic head has an erasing coil, a recording/reproducing coil, a first back bar for magnetically coupling the erasing core with the center core, and a second back bar for magnetically coupling the recording/reproducing core with the center core. The composite magnetic head satisfies both of following conditional expressions:H.ltoreq.0.058+8.6.times.L.sub.g (expression 1)H.ltoreq.0.418+5.9.times.L.sub.g (expression 2)where L.sub.

Abstract: Magnetic write/read heads for writing/reading information on a recording medium passing in front of the heads include several groups of magnetic write/read heads, each group of magnetic write/read heads including several pairs of poles. Each pair of poles is separated by a head gap of an integer multiple of an elementary track width b and forms several head gaps E0 to E7. The head gaps (for example El) have a first width such that they can write across a first width of the recording medium, and the second head gaps (for example E2) have a second width less than the first width and are arranged in such a way that the second head gaps write/read an area of the recording medium superimposed on the area of the recording medium write/read by the first head gaps. The magnetic write/read heads are suitable for applications where multitrack write/read heads are required.

Abstract: A magnetic head structure including a magnetoresistive (MR) head and an inductive head for data storage devices such as tape drives. A method of fabricating a magnetic head utilizing semiconductor-type processing techniques is described that produces an inductive head gap having a substantially flat planar structure throughout in length which, in one embodiment, has a length of 150 microns and a height of one micron. The structure includes a first and second shield, and an MR layer formed therebetween that includes an MR sensor adjacent to the air bearing surface (ABS), leads connected on opposite sides of the MR sensor, and isolated segments situated between the leads and extending all the way to the ABS. A trench (i.e. gap) is formed between the leads and the segments. Preferably, the leads and the segments are deposited simultaneously, and the insulating gap is formed subsequently by photoresist and masking techniques.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a head face and a layered structure, comprising write elements (w1-w9), first connection faces (15) for the write elements and first connection elements (16) connecting the write elements to the first connection faces, as well as read elements (r1-r9), second connection faces (17a, 17b) for the read elements and second connection elements (18a, 18b) connecting the read elements to the second connection faces. The first connection faces for the write elements and the second connection faces for the read elements are coplanar, while, viewed spatially, the first connection faces and the second connection faces are arranged in groups. At least a row of first connection faces and at least a row of second connection faces can then be distinguished, while the rows are in alignment.

Abstract: An improved magnetic tape head contour for reading from and writing to magnetic tape moving across the tape head has a unique configuration of bleed slots such that land width is limited to a width that optimizes flying height at increased tape speeds on the order of 4 meters/second. The number of bleed slots is increased to minimize tape undulations thereby minimizing tape head wear profile undulations. A single gutter slot is optionally provided at each end of the tape head to reduce end element wear and increase the useful life of the heads.

Abstract: An inductive-write magnetoresistive-read horizontal head for magnetic recording having two polarization conductors. The two polarization conductors are used to simultaneously activate a MR sensor and to disable the write head during the read back process to eliminate the secondary read back signal from the inductive-write head. During the read process, the current through a first conductor biases the MR stripe while current through the second conductor generates an applied field to switch the magnetization of the permalloy in the write head pole and reduce the permeability. The head incorporates write-wide read-narrow head attributes and has the reliability advantages associated with yoke or recessed MR or GMR structures. The magnetoresistive stripe may be disposed directly in the gap of the heads or it may be recessed.

Abstract: A magnetic head device comprising:a magnetic circuit which includes a head core unit, a back core and a coil;the head core unit including a first core made from a magnetic material and a second core made from a magnetic material, and forming a magnetic gap between the first core and the second core;the back core made from a magnetic material and jointed to the first core and the second core so as to form back gaps;the coil arranged on the first core;a first holder which is bonded to the first core and the second core at two locations of the side of the magnetic gap and the side of the back gaps so as to hold the magnetic circuit; anda second holder which is bonded to the first core and the second core at the magnetic gap side so as to hold the magnetic circuit, and which is substantially of a square pillar.

Abstract: An improved magnetic head obviates the need for separate read and write heads in a magnetic storage system by providing a head core having two physical gaps configured to generate a reproduce track width that is narrower than a record track width. The core of the head comprises a tapered center pole disposed between two generally symmetrical main poles to form physical record and reproduce gaps. A magnetically saturable, high permeability element is disposed within the core in a manner that bridges the rear of the record gap.

Abstract: In an inductive-write, magnetoresistive-read type magnetic head having a magnetoresistive read head and an inductive write head superimposed on each other, the magnetic center of the read head is made more coincident with the physical center of the write head by a changing of a magnetization direction of a magnetoresistive element. The recording/reproducing apparatus using this magnetic head can thus have a good S/N ratio even if the track width is narrow.

Abstract: A composite magnetic head for use in a magnetic disk drive and having a higher core and a lower core assigned to high track density and low track density, respectively. A single magnetic bar is interposed between the higher and lower cores. A single spring having a generally U-shaped section sandwich the cores and magnetic bar from both sides. As a result, the magnetic bar is stably held in close contact with the cores.

Abstract: A magnetic head including a first induction conductor coupled to a second conductor which is coupled into a closed magnetic circuit having a magnetic flux induction coil supplied with a pulsed or alternating current. Instead of a coil, therefore, only the first induction conductor is magnetically coupled with the head. The magnetic head allows for implementation of high density heads with matrix control and can be used in magnetic recording/reading applications.

Abstract: A multiple-gap head for transferring data to or from a storage medium is disclosed. Data read by the gaps are directed over a plurality of serial data paths where the data are processed and synchronized. In some embodiments, all or part of a data synchronizer is shared by the serial data paths. The data are then assembled into a parallel data stream for delivery to a computer. Reading the data simultaneously with multiple gaps increases by several times the rate at which data can be transferred to or from a storage medium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a three-gap head is provided to reduce or eliminate the cross-talk or noise fringe problems which reduce the track density in a storage medium. A signal attenuator and a signal inverter are connected to each of the side gaps and the outputs thereof are summed with the signal originating at the center gap, such that the inverted signals from the side gaps cancel any cross-talk originating at the center gap.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect type head comprises a magnetoresistance effect film having a pair of leads connected thereto and possessing a magnetic field responding part and a pair of upper and lower shield layers having a magnetoresistance effect type head satisfies the relations, W.sub.s <W.sub.r and T.sub.r <W.sub.r, wherein W.sub.s stands for the width of the surface of the upper shield layer facing the magnetoresistance effect film, W.sub.r for the distance between the pair of leads, and T.sub.r for the width of the magnetic field responding part of the magnetoresistance effect film. The magnetic field responding part of the magnetoresistance effect film is formed as of the remainder of the MR film region whose magnetic moment is fixed outside the end part of the upper shield layer facing the MA film. The magnetic field responding part is otherwise formed of a protruding part of the magnetoresistance effect film extended in the direction of the surface facing the medium.

Abstract: A pair of parallel frame members 30 and 31 are formed in the inner bobbin faces of recording/reproducing and erasing coil assemblies 3, 4 on the opposite sides and spaced equidistant from a core tip center line T. An orthogonal frame member 32 is formed on the outer side of each of the bobbin end face to extend in a direction perpendicular to the parallel frame members 30 and 31. The end of the orthogonal frame member 32 extending toward an auxiliary sliding face 15 of a slider 2 extends outwardly from one of the parallel frame members 31. The recording/reproducing and erasing coil assemblies 3 and 4 are disposed asymmetrically to each other about the core tip center line T. When the recording/reproducing and erasing coil assemblies 3 and 4 are respectively housed in coil assembly receiving portions 26 and 27, the coil assemblies 3 and 4 will not extend outwardly beyond a slider plane projection line C.

Abstract: A multi-track servo recording head includes a multi-tip write core for simultaneously writing a plurality of tracking signals on magnetic storage media. The magnetic recording head may include an optical edge sensor and a magnetic edge sensor for sensing the position of the recording head relative to the edge of the storage media. Additionally, a read core is provided to detect the longitudinal position of the storage media relative to the recording head during media transport.

Abstract: A system to write a servo signal pattern onto a recording medium incorporating a transducer with a full-width write head, and one or more slotted erase head(s). The full-width write head is used to record signals across the full width of the recording medium; the erase head(s) is used to erase "nulls" in the servo signal pattern. The resulting servo pattern has an extremely good match of signal characteristics between the different portions of the resulting signal pattern, since the recorded patterns were all written in the same pass by the same write head. The use of precisely fabricated and aligned erase head(s) results in a very accurate signal pattern.

Abstract: A bidirectional thin-film magnetoresistive tape head assembly. The invention minimizes wear on the head assembly by: (1) minimizing the distance between the read elements and their respective write elements, (2) forming the head assembly from hard materials, and (3) placing a hard block between the read and write elements. The head assembly uses only a single pair of read and write elements per data track, but the pairs are reversed with respect to each other so that the head assembly is capable of reading-while-writing on the tape in both directions.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive (MR) head includes protection from electrostatic discharge without introducing additional processing steps. The MR sensor comprises a soft film biased (SFB) magnetic read sensor sandwiched between two high resistivity magnetic materials. The MR sensor is located between two MR shields wherein each MR shield is connected to an MR sensor ground signal lead by a resistor. The resistor is constructed from the high resistivity magnetic material such that the resistor is deposited at the same process step as the MR sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic head for sliding on a recording medium for executing magnetic recording or magnetic reproducing of information includes a magnetic core having a recording/reproducing magnetic gap whose track width is defined narrow in accordance with high-ranking high track density, and an erasing magnetic gap which is disposed upstream of a medium-sliding direction, in such a manner that the erasing magnetic gap is adjacent to the recording/reproducing gap, and whose track width is defined wide in accordance with low-ranking low track density. A center of the recording/reproducing magnetic gap in a direction perpendicular to the track is shifted by a predetermined amount of shift in the direction perpendicular to the track with respect to a center of the erasing magnetic gap in the direction perpendicular to the track.

Abstract: In an integrated thin film magnetic head, a write pole or inductive head I.sub.h includes first and second magnetic cores magnetically coupled to form a magnetic circuit and a coil formed between the first and second magnetic cores. An MR element read pole or MR head MR.sub.h includes first and second yokes, an MR element and a bias conductor for applying a biasing magnetic field on the MR device, and the first magnetic core or the second magnetic core constitutes the second yoke.

Abstract: A VLSI-compatible process for the manufacturing of a monolithic high-density electronic head in the form of a single composite IC chip for reading and/or writing multiple tracks of magnetically recordable information. The VLSI-compatible process comprises the steps of fabricating a digital signal process circuit as well as other desired circuit components on a substrate, then fabricating a plurality of read and/or write elements on the same substrate using a thin film technique. Because the silicon-based materials, which are used to replace the conventional magneto-resistant elements, show very little magneto-resistance effect at room temperature, a magnetically sensitive layer is provided which comprises a double-drain polycrystalline thin-films transistor (DTFT) to provide the required sensitivity.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a magnetic core having a slidable contact surface and a side face, a coil bobbin arranged around the magnetic core, a coil wound around the coil bobbin, and a slider having a notch and connected to the side face of the magnetic core. The slider together with the magnetic core are in slidable contact with a magnetic recording medium. A plurality of terminals, each of which is connected to an end of the coil, and a terminal holding member for holding the plurality of terminals are provided. The terminal holding member is disposed substantially within a space defined by the notch and is separated from the coil bobbin.

Abstract: A composite thin film recording/reproducing head comprises, in an integral laminate construction: a magneto-resistance effect thin film reproducing head having a magnetoresistance effect element; and an inductive thin film recording head. The track width of the magnetoresistance effect thin film reproducing head is greater than that of the inductive thin film recording head. The reproducing output of the composite thin film recording/reproducing head can be enhanced without entailing increase in reproducing output noise and the variation of the reproducing output can be suppressed, so that the composite thin film recording/reproducing head has improved reproducing output characteristics.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly is provided which has top and bottom zones for processing a magnetic tape alternately in opposite directions. Each zone contains a top write element and read element pair and a bottom write element and read element pair, the write element of each pair being located on a first gap line and the read element of each pair being located on a second gap line. Located between the read elements on the second gap line are a plurality of servo elements. The pitch of the servo elements is a multiple of the track pitch of the magnetic tape and the pitch of the write elements is a multiple of the pitch of the servo elements. The servo elements are totally dedicated to servoing on pre-recorded servo tracks on the magnetic tape. A servo element on the first gap line is on a common servo track with one of the servo elements on the second gap line so as to provide a pair of servos on the same servo track.

Abstract: A magnetic head having a pair of magnetic core assemblies sandwiching a spacer assembly in a direction of track width includes a laminate consisting of a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material in a part of the spacer assembly, and the remaining part of the spacer assembly is made of nonmagnetic materials. The spacer assembly is fabricated by forming a plurality of grooves on a surface of a magnetic material block, filling a joint material in the grooves and join the magnetic material block with a nonmagnetic material block to form a composite block, and cutting the composite block to obtain a plurality of spacer assemblies. The spacer assembly together with other elements of the magnetic head is assembled to manufacture a magnetic head.

Abstract: A multiple head arrangement for recording and reproducing magnetic information on a magnetic recording medium. The head structure includes an I core body and two core half bodies. A first glass member is interposed between the I core body and the first core half body at a position laterally adjacent a first read/write gap and a second glass member is interposed between the I core body and the second core half body at a position laterally adjacent a second read/write gap. A non-magnetic thin film insulation layer is interposed between the first and second core half bodies and substantially perpendicularly with respect to the read/write gaps.

Abstract: The present invention includes a plurality of thin film magnetic heads which are arranged in a linear array with a spacing D between adjacent heads. The pole pieces of the magnetic heads are positioned in a side by side relationship in contrast to the normal pancake type of magnetic head. The linear array is angled at a skew angle .theta. with respect to the direction of travel of the magnetic medium. The track pitch is then D sin .theta.. The track width is substantially equal to the thickness of the pole tips P1T and P2T of the magnetic heads. This thickness can be in the order of 3 .mu.m. With such a pole tip thickness the track pitch of each magnetic head in the linear array can be 3-4 .mu.m. A plurality of narrow data tracks can then be provided with minimum pitch by a corresponding number of magnetic heads. The write signals are simultaneously fed to the heads or the read signals are simultaneously fed to the heads. This allows high data rates to be processed.

Abstract: In a magnetic head comprising a read/write head and an erase head constructionally integrated with each other, the closed magnetic circuit of the erase head is arranged to be higher in magnetic reluctance than the closed magnetic circuit of the read/write head, whereby a magnetic flux to be drawn by the erase gap is reduced so as to prevent the leakage of the magnetic flux to the read/write head side.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head device to be equipped on a magnetic recording and reproducing system can meet a plurality of recording formats and carry out stabilized recording/reproducing without depending on the running direction of the magnetic tape. There are combined either of at least two thin film magnetic heads for recording each having on a substrate a recording transducer for recording information on a magnetic tape or two thin film magnetic heads for reproducing each having a reproducing transducer for reading out information recorded on a magnetic tape or two thin magnetic heads for recording and reproducing .in which the recording transducer and the reproducing transducer exist together. According to the running direction of the magnetic tape, only the thin film magnetic head Which is situated at the downstream side in the running direction of the magnetic tape is activated to be always in an operating condition.

Abstract: A planar silicon magnetoresistive read/write head has separate read and write gaps that can be individually optimized. The write gap includes a write gap shunt that suppresses signals that are read across the write gap without interfering with the ability of the head to generate write signals at the write gap. The head retains both the advantages of removing the magnetoresistive element from the air bearing surface to avoid wear, shorting, and corrosion, and to eliminate cross-track asymmetry, associated with dual gap magnetoresistive heads; and the advantages of low cost fabrication and high area density, associated with silicon planar head structures.