Edge profile studies of recorded flux transitions

A technique, devised for visually observing simulated profiles of recorded digital-flux-transitions, is used to analyze the effects of head-core material, gap-length, recording current, coercive force, switching field distribution, and orientation of the easy-axis-of-magnetization. Flux-transitions, contact-recorded on the edges of tape segments positioned with their planar surface perpendicular to the gap edges of the recording head, are visually observed and photographed with a magnetic-viewer. Single-current-pulses are used to record magnetization patterns on stationary tape segments, to observe the cross-section magnetized by the head-field, and illustrate penetration depth, transition-width, and the location of recorded transitions relative to the gap edges. Square-wave signals are used to simulate the depth profile of digital flux-transitions. Curved flux-transitions with penetrations exceeding 2 mm, and evidence of a "dead layer" erased by perpendicular head-field components, are observed using 75-125 μm gap iron-cobalt core heads and 1.5 A current on a magnetic tape with of 360 Oe. Broader flux transitions resulted from broader switching-field-distributions. Tape segments slit to form edges perpendicular to the easy-axis, are used to simulate vertical easy-axis orientation.