Design and performance of dual-element side-by-side heads

Because of the different design constraints for writing and reading with a thin-film head, considerable advantage can be gained from using two separate elements to provide the read and write functions. This paper discusses the design, fabrication and performance of an arrangement where the two elements are placed "side by sides on a single rail of a conventional 3380 slider. This approach offers excellent alignment and negligible coupling of the two elements, in contrast to the earlier "dual element superimposed" head design.