Investigations on an improved metal-in-gap head: a metal-covered-ferrite head

An improved metal-in-gap (MIG) head called the metal-covered-ferrite (MCF) head has been investigated using nonlinear finite-element modeling and medium-scale-recording experiments. This head avoids the secondary gap encountered in regular MIG heads by covering the trailing edge surface of the MIG head with an appropriate soft magnetic material. Several improvements in the recording characteristics have been achieved. The finite-element model shows an improved head-field gradient and higher head field at the trailing edge. Dependence on permeability of the soft magnetic metal is greater at high write currents, and dependence on the metal thickness diminishes as it becomes comparable to or greater than the width of the gap. The recording data from the medium-scale MCF head confirm the absence of the secondary gap effect