An X-field micro-gap head for high density magnetic recording

As the gap in a magnetic recording head is made smaller a point is reached where the gap cannot supply adequate bias field for undistorted low frequency response without erasing the high frequencies. In the X-field head a vertical component of magnetization is superposed on the conventional semicircular pattern at the head-gap, to give a field which has more rapid decay at the trailing edge and at the same time has a more uniform intensity through the thickness of the tape coating. A new X-field design overcomes objections to previous models, and can be produced economically.