A low inductance strip-line recording head

A prototype high energy-efficiency recording head for use in a high packing density recording system has been developed. The operation of the head in the writing mode depends on the magnetic field round a thin strip conductor rather than flux leakage from the magnetic circuit as in a conventional ring-type head. The presence of ferrite in the vicinity of the strip increases the field produced for a given strip current. Since its low input impedance is unsuitable for direct connection to electronic circuits, it has been necessary to use an intermediate pulse transformer. By making this transformer an integral part of the recording head, a very compact unit is realizable. Care has been taken in the design of the structure to minimize any stray inductance which may be comparable to that of the head element. Advantages of the proposed head are its good high-frequency performance and suitability for high track densities.