The effect of write head saturation on the characteristics of AC bias recording

The magnetic recording process is sometimes affected by write head saturation. Experimental results revealing the profile of the head saturation effect on the characteristics of ac bias recording are shown. The amplitude of residual flux in a recorded medium and that of a read signal decrease with increasing bias current from the vicinity of the head saturation point. The total harmonic distortion of a read signal becomes minimal at the head saturation point, and it shows separated maxima on either side of the minimum. These results are explained by considering the asymmetrically clamped envelope of the total head field, caused by the head saturation effect.