Abstract: A data storage device for recording to and reading from magnetic thread includes a head assembly having an opening through which the magnetic thread passes. Transducing elements are positioned around the inner surface of the opening and interact with longitudinally-extending parallel tracks formatted around the surface of the magnetic thread. If the number of tracks is greater than the number of transducing elements, the transducing elements may be rotatable about the magnetic thread to position the transducing elements to interact with other tracks. The head assembly may open to aid positioning the magnetic thread within the opening in the head assembly during loading. If desired, multiple head assemblies may be placed in the thread path to improve data throughput. The magnetic thread may be formed with a non-circular cross-section and the opening in the head assembly may have a corresponding cross-section to reduce twisting of the magnetic thread as it passes through the opening.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic substrate having applied thereon through a nonmagnetic underlayer a magnetic recording layer composed of a magnetic metal material, in which the nonmagnetic substrate comprises a substrate having a smooth surface with an average surface roughness Ra of not more than 20 Å, a recesses-and protrusions-forming layer having stripe-like protrusions and recesses in the circumferential direction, formed on the substrate, and a reinforcing coat layer having a hardness higher than that of the recesses-and protrusions-forming layer is sandwiched between the substrate and the recesses-and-protrusions-forming layer. The magnetic recording medium is excellent in a characteristic of friction sliding with a flying-type magnetic head, can improve the reproducing output and S/N ratio while the low noise of the magnetic recording medium is kept without change, and prevents easy production of bit errors.

Abstract: A magnetic information detecting apparatus is disclosed including a recording medium in which magnetic information is recorded and a magnetic field detection unit for detecting the magnetic information, the magnetic field detection unit having its magnetic field detecting section formed of a magnetoresistive element or a Hall element, the magnetic field detecting section surrounding peripheries of the recording medium. The recording medium has a substantially circular cross section. The magnetoresistive element has a structure of an artificial multilayer film formed by alternately stacking a conductor layer and a magnetic layer. The magnetic field detection unit has a soft magnetic body for conducting a magnetic field to the magnetic field detecting section.