Abstract:
A lapping guide is provided to determine the position at which lapping of a thin film head to define pole faces should be terminated. Accurate positioning of the lapping guide with respect to the head is insured by forming various elements of the lapping guide during the same photolithographic process steps as those used to form elements of the head. The lapping guide may be used either as an electrical or optical guide. When used as an optical guide, a second lapping guide may be provided as an indicator that more frequent inspection is necessary.
Abstract:
A thin film read-write magnetic head includes first and second adjacent magnetic layers forming a magnetic circuit path with a transducing gap, a flux sensing element disposed in the plane of one of the magnetic layers, at least one magnetic shunt valve member disposed around the flux sensing element, the valve member being disposed in the same plane as the one of the magnetic layers in which the sensing element is disposed. A conductor is electrically connected to the flux sensing member and magnetically coupled to the shunt valve member to apply a magnetic field to the shunt valve member to magnetically control the shunt valve member.
Abstract:
A thin film magnetic head is fabricated with a multiplicity of magnetic yokes that interact effectively with an electrical coil. The magnetic P1 and P2 pole sections of the yoke are very narrow and form closely spaced envelopes about the coil. The multiple yokes are inductively linked to the coil so as to provide an increased number of flux interactions for a given length of coil turn. With this magnetic head design, signal output is increased, thermal noise is reduced, and the signal-to-noise ratio is effectively improved.
Abstract:
A thin film read-write magnetic head useful in a tape apparatus includes a magnetic circuit consisting of two thin film magnetic layers which form a magnetic yoke that is divided into three closely spaced sections, the central section of at least one of the magnetic layers containing an interspace in which a flux sensing element, such as a magnetoresistive device or Hall effect device, is located. The three section yoke forms a continuous magnetic circuit, except for the transducing gap, which circuit consists of three sections corresponding to the three sections of the yoke. The total gap width determines the width of the data track being recorded. During the write mode, a magnetic valve including an electrical conductor provides a shunt path to bypass the flux sensing means so that all three sections of the head operate for recording. During the read mode, only the central yoke section and its transducing gap portion sense the data signal recorded on the magnetic tape, and the read element detects the sensed signal. A saturation current is directed to the valve conductor during the read mode so that the shunt path is open, thereby allowing the flux sensing means to operate and sense the readout signal.
Abstract:
A read/write head includes a dual element MR sensor and a superimposed inductive head. In an implementation of the invention, the MR sensor structure includes two spaced magnetoresistive (MR) elements on which antiferromagnetic (AFe) thin films, preferably of iron manganese, are deposited. The AFe thin films act as exchange bias layers with the MR elements, biasing the MR layers in opposite directions and perpendicular to the surface of a magnetic medium. Recorded magnetic signals are sensed differentially and the output signal is characterized by increased amplitude and improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Abstract:
A thin film read-write magnetic head includes a write inductive section having a magnetic circuit consisting of thin film magnetic layers and a read flux sensing element, such as a magnetoresistive device or Hall effect device, located in a gap in the magnetic circuit. During the write mode, a magnetic valve including an electrical conductor provides a shunt path to bypass the flux sensing element. During the read mode, a saturation current is directed to the valve conductor so that the shunt path is open, thereby allowing the flux sensing element to sense the readout signal.
Abstract:
A magnetoreristive head assembly has a magnetic bias level control for continuous compensation of thermal, stray field and stress fluctuations, as well as other types of fluctuations. The magnetoresistive head assembly includes a magnetoresistive element for sensing signals recorded on a magnetic medium, and for generating electrical signals corresponding to the recorded signals. A bias current balancing circuit has an input connected to the magnetoresistive element for sensing the electrical signals and for generating a correction bias current therefrom. A feedback correction circuit converts the correction bias current into a correction magnetic bias field and applies the field to the magnetoresistive element to limit the shifting of a current bias point of the magnetoresistive element and to compensate for bias fluctuations.
Abstract:
A lapping guide is provided to determine the position at which lapping of a thin film head to define pole faces should be terminated. Accurate positioning of the lapping guide with respect to the head is insured by forming various elements of the lapping guide during the same photolithographic process steps as those used to form elements of the head. The lapping guide may be used either as an electrical or optical guide. When used as an optical guide, a second lapping guide may be provided as an indicator that more frequency inspection is necessary.
Abstract:
A differential Hall effect magnetic read head exhibiting improved resolution. The head includes dual Hall elements in which the elements are oriented so that their major surface is perpendicular to the surface of the recording medium and biased so that they respond to the component of magnetic flux which is parallel to the surface of the recording medium. Operation in this manner enables information recorded at extremely high densities to be easily read. In an alternative embodiment, a single Hall element is utilized and direct and delayed outputs are differentially compared in order to detect flux transitions.