The side-erasing effect in narrow track recording

The authors investigated the side-erasing effect in guardbandless azimuth recording and developed a more precise method of measuring the side-erased width. It was established that the side-erased width depends on the head shape and can be held to less than 0.5 μm if the head is designed as suggested. It was found that when ME tape and TSS (tilted Sendust sputtered) head are used, the side-fringing field often erases about 2 μm of the effective erased width. Analysis established that the magnitude of the side-fringing field depends on the included angle of the head core and that widening the included angle more than 90° is effective in reducing the side-erased width. Therefore, for narrow track pitch recording, designing a head shape which minimizes the side-erased width is indispensable