Recording performances of perfectly aligned HSS heads

The recording characteristics of helical scan silicon (HSS) heads with perfect alignment of the magnetic poles were investigated. Their overall performances were found to be superior to those of ferrite MIG heads, especially the side writing. Erase bands of 0.25 /spl mu/m were measured using a HSS head and ME tape with 50 nm thick magnetic layer. Side writing and erasing were studied from the frequency response of microtracks, as well as from triple-track profiles.