THIN-FILM TAPE-RECORDING HEADS WITH HIGH MOMENT FEALN POLES

In this paper we present results on the fabrication and testing of thi n film tape recording heads using high moment FeAlN pole materials (4 pi M(s) = 20 kGauss). These heads are of the type used in quarter inch cartridge (QIC) tape drives, with a record gap dimension of 1.9 mu m and a written track-width of 33 mu m. The pole thicknesses ranged from 4 to 4.5 mu m with a 14 turn coil. The FeAlN pole material delivers s ufficient field to the media surface to saturate 1.5 mu m thick Ba-Fer rite media (H-c = 1500 Oe). In comparisons to a head of identical desi gn with CoZrTa poles, the FeAlN poles were able to deliver more flux t o the media because of a higher head saturation onset current.