Transmission line pulse ESD testing of giant magnetoresistive recording heads

The behavior of giant magnetoresistive recording heads during transmission line pulse (TLP) testing is reported for the first time. The design of a simple TLP tester is described and used to produce current pulses with widths from 0.8 to 40 ns. The TLP tester was used with a quasistatic R(H) tester to measure the resistance and magnetic damage to the recording head. It is concluded that an easily built TLP tester is useful for producing high current pulses of varying width for electrostatic discharge testing of recording heads.