Magnetic head, servo pattern recording device, tape drive device, magnetic tape manufacturing method and recording method

Abstract

To provide a magnetic head such as a servo write head, a servo pattern recording device, a tape drive device, a manufacturing method of a magnetic tape, and a recording method that can improve recording accuracy of a servo pattern.SOLUTION: A magnetic head (servo write head) has first regions 23 corresponding to positions where magnetic gaps 26 are provided in a length direction (Y-axis direction), and second regions 24 provided with a plurality of groove portions 33, corresponding to positions where no magnetic gap is provided in the length direction and crossing from one end of a wide direction (X-axis direction: a running direction of the magnetic tape) perpendicular to the length direction to the other end of the width direction, and includes a recording surface 22 for recording signals on the magnetic tape by the magnetic gaps.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a servo write head that records a servo pattern on a magnetic tape. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, magnetic tapes have become widely used for purposes such as backing up electronic data. Because magnetic tapes have a large capacity and can be stored for a long period of time, they are attracting increasing attention as a storage medium for big data, etc.

[0003] The magnetic tape is provided with a plurality of data bands each including a plurality of recording tracks, and a plurality of servo bands each including a plurality of stripe-shaped servo patterns. In manufacturing the magnetic tape, first, a servo pattern is recorded on the servo bands by a servo write head of a servo pattern recording device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Thereafter, the servo pattern in the servo band is read by a head unit of a data recording / reproducing device, alignment with the recording track in the data band is performed, and data is recorded on the recording track.

[0005] In recent years, the number of recording tracks has increased significantly due to the demand for higher density recording on magnetic tapes. For example, the number of recording tracks on magnetic tapes of the LTO (Linear Tape Open) standard was 384 for the original LTO-1, but has increased to 512, 704, 896, 1280, 2176, 3584, and 6656 for LTO-2 to LTO-8, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-199706 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Since alignment with respect to the recording tracks is performed based on the servo patterns, as the number of recording tracks increases, the accuracy of recording the servo patterns must be improved accordingly.However, the accuracy of recording the servo patterns may decrease due to friction between the servo write head and the magnetic tape.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present technology is to provide a technology for a servo write head and the like that can improve the accuracy of recording servo patterns. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A magnetic head according to one embodiment of the present technology has a first region corresponding to a position where a magnetic gap is provided in a length direction, and a second region corresponding to a position where the magnetic gap is not provided in the length direction and having a plurality of grooves extending across from one end in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction to the other end in the width direction, and a recording surface for recording a signal on a magnetic tape by the magnetic gap. Equipped with: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic tape seen from the side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic tape viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a servo pattern recording device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a servo write head as seen from the magnetic tape side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a servo write head as viewed from the magnetic tape side. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a servo write head as viewed from the magnetic tape side. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic partial enlarged view of the upper part of the servo write head as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a magnetic gap provided in a servo write head. [Figure 10] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a groove provided in a servo write head; FIG. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams showing various dummy recording surfaces. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the dummy in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an evaluation device for evaluating the contact state between a recording surface and a running magnetic tape. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between a dummy and a magnetic tape in the evaluation device. [Figure 15] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image captured by an imaging section of the evaluation device. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image captured by an imaging section of the evaluation device. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image captured by an imaging section of the evaluation device. [Figure 19] 4 is a diagram showing the results of an experiment for explaining the operation of the servo write head of the present embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a recording / reproducing magnetic head. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing a recording surface of a magnetic head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <First embodiment> In this embodiment, an example of application of the magnetic head to a servo write head that records a servo pattern on a magnetic tape will be described.

[0013] [Magnetic tape] First, a basic configuration of a magnetic tape 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic tape 1 as viewed from the side, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic tape 1 as viewed from above. In the drawings, an orthogonal coordinate system based on the magnetic tape 1 is represented by an X'Y'Z' coordinate system.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic tape 1 is configured in a tape shape that is long in the length direction (X'-axis direction), short in the width direction (Y'-axis direction), and thin in the thickness direction (Z'-axis direction).

[0015] The magnetic tape 1 includes a tape-shaped substrate 2 that is long in the length direction (X'-axis direction), a nonmagnetic layer 3 provided on one main surface of the substrate 2, a magnetic layer 4 provided on the nonmagnetic layer 3, and a back layer 5 provided on the other main surface of the substrate 2. Note that the back layer 5 may be provided as necessary, and may be omitted.

[0016] The substrate 2 is a non-magnetic support that supports the non-magnetic layer 3 and the magnetic layer 4. The substrate 2 includes, for example, at least one of polyesters, polyolefins, cellulose derivatives, vinyl resins, and other polymer resins.

[0017] The magnetic layer 4 is a recording layer for recording data. The magnetic layer 4 contains magnetic powder, a binder, conductive particles, etc. The magnetic layer 4 may further contain additives such as a lubricant, an abrasive, and an anti-rust agent, as necessary.

[0018] The magnetic layer 4 may be oriented vertically or longitudinally. The magnetic powder contained in the magnetic layer 4 is composed of, for example, nanoparticles containing ε-iron oxide (ε-iron oxide particles), nanoparticles containing hexagonal ferrite (hexagonal ferrite particles), nanoparticles containing Co-containing spinel ferrite (cobalt ferrite), etc.

[0019] The non-magnetic layer 3 contains a non-magnetic powder and a binder. The non-magnetic layer 3 may contain additives such as conductive particles, a lubricant, a hardener, and an anti-rust material, as necessary.

[0020] The back layer 5 contains a non-magnetic powder and a binder. The back layer 5 may contain additives such as a lubricant, a hardener, and an antistatic agent, if necessary.

[0021] The upper limit of the average thickness (average total thickness) of the magnetic tape 1 is, for example, 5.6 μm or less, 5.0 μm or less, 4.4 μm or less, etc. If the average thickness of the magnetic tape 1 is 5.6 μm or less, the recording capacity that can be recorded in the cartridge 21 can be made higher than that of a general magnetic tape 1.

[0022] 2, the magnetic layer 4 has a plurality of data bands d (data bands d0 to d3) that are long in the length direction (X'-axis direction) in which data is written, and a plurality of servo bands s (servo bands s0 to s4) that are long in the length direction in which servo patterns 7 are written. The servo bands s are arranged at positions sandwiching each data band d in the width direction (Y'-axis direction).

[0023] 2 shows an example in which the number of data bands d is 4 and the number of servo bands s is 5. Note that the number of data bands d and the number of servo bands s can be changed as appropriate.

[0024] The data band d includes a plurality of recording tracks 6 that are long in the length direction and aligned in the width direction. Data is recorded along the recording tracks 6 within the recording tracks 6. The length of one bit in the data recorded in the data band d is, for example, 48 nm or less. The servo band s includes a servo pattern 7 recorded by a servo pattern recording device 100 (see FIG. 3).

[0025] Here, the number of recording tracks of the LTO-standard magnetic tape 1 increases with each generation, and the recording capacity is improved dramatically. For example, the number of recording tracks, which was 384 for the original LTO-1, has increased to 512, 704, 896, 1280, 2176, 3584, and 6656 for LTO-2 to LTO-8, respectively. Similarly, the data recording capacity has increased from 100GB (gigabytes) for LTO-1 to 200GB, 400GB, 800GB, 1.5TB (terabytes), 2.5TB, 6.0TB, and 12TB for LTO-2 to LTO-8, respectively.

[0026] In this embodiment, the number of recording tracks 6 and the recording capacity are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. However, the present technology is advantageously applied to a magnetic tape 1 having a large number of recording tracks 6 and a large recording capacity (for example, 6656 or more, 12 TB or more: LTO8 and later) and on which the servo patterns 7 need to be recorded strictly and accurately.

[0027] [Servo pattern recording device] Next, a description will be given of a servo pattern recording device 100 that records the servo patterns 7 on the servo bands s of the magnetic tape 1. FIG.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the servo pattern recording device 100 includes, in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the magnetic tape 1, a feed roller 11, a degaussing unit 12, a servo write head 13, a servo read head 14, and a take-up roller 15.

[0029] The feed roller 11 is capable of rotatably supporting the rolled magnetic tape 1. The feed roller 11 is rotated in response to the driving of a driving source such as a motor, and feeds out the magnetic tape 1 downstream in response to the rotation.

[0030] The winding roller 15 is capable of rotatably supporting the rolled magnetic tape 1. The winding roller 15 rotates in synchronization with the delivery roller 11 in response to the drive of a drive source such as a motor, and winds up the magnetic tape 1 in response to the rotation.

[0031] The feed roller 11 and the take-up roller 15 are capable of moving the magnetic tape 1 at a constant speed within the transport path.

[0032] The servo write head 13 is disposed, for example, above (on the magnetic layer 4 side of) the magnetic tape 1. The servo write head 13 generates a magnetic field at a predetermined timing in response to a square wave pulse signal, and applies the magnetic field to a part of the magnetic layer 4 of the magnetic tape 1.

[0033] As a result, the servo write head 13 magnetizes a portion of the magnetic layer 4 to record the servo pattern 7 on the magnetic layer 4. When the magnetic tape 1 passes below the servo write head 13, the servo write head 13 is capable of recording the servo pattern 7 on each of the five servo bands s0 to s4.

[0034] The demagnetizing unit 12 is disposed, for example, below the magnetic tape 1 (on the substrate 2 side) and upstream of the servo write head 13. The demagnetizing unit 12 is composed of a permanent magnet. Before the servo pattern 7 is recorded by the servo write head 13, the permanent magnet applies a magnetic field to the entire magnetic layer 4 by using a DC magnetic field, thereby demagnetizing the entire magnetic layer 4.

[0035] The servo read head 14 is disposed on the upper side (magnetic layer 4 side) of the magnetic tape 1, downstream of the servo write head 13. The servo read head 14 is configured to be able to reproduce servo signals by reading a magnetic field generated from the servo patterns 7 recorded on the magnetic tape 1 using an MR element (MR: Magneto Resistive), a GMR element (GMR: Giant Magneto Resistive), a TMR element (TMR: Tunnel Magneto Resistive), an inductive head, or the like. The reproduced waveform of the servo signal read by the servo read head 14 is used to check whether the servo patterns 7 have been recorded accurately.

[0036] Although not shown, the servo pattern recording device 100 includes a control device that controls each section of the servo pattern recording device 100 in an integrated manner.

[0037] The control device includes, for example, a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. The control unit is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc., and performs overall control of each unit of the servo pattern recording device 100 according to a program stored in the storage unit.

[0038] The storage unit includes a non-volatile memory in which various data and various programs are recorded, and a volatile memory used as a working area for the control unit. The various programs may be read from a portable recording medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory, or may be downloaded from a server device on a network. The communication unit is configured to be capable of communicating with other devices such as a server device.

[0039] Here, in this embodiment, a particular feature resides in the servo write head 13. Before describing the servo write head 13, the basic concept of the present technology will be mentioned.

[0040] The positioning of the recording tracks 6 in the data band d is performed based on the servo patterns 7 in the servo bands s. Therefore, as the number of recording tracks increases, the accuracy of recording the servo patterns 7 must be improved accordingly. Regarding the number of recording tracks, in LTO8, 6656 recording tracks 6 must be prepared, and the number of recording tracks is expected to further increase in LTO9 and later. Therefore, in such cases, it is required to record the servo patterns 7 strictly and accurately (for example, on the nano order).

[0041] On the other hand, in the case of a general servo write head, the accuracy of recording the servo pattern 7 may be reduced due to friction between the servo write head and the magnetic tape 1. When the present inventors actually performed a frequency analysis of the reproduced waveform of the servo pattern 7 written by a general servo write head, they confirmed that there was an error caused by friction in a specific frequency range.

[0042] When the number of recording tracks increases, it is necessary to eliminate errors caused by such friction. For this reason, in this embodiment, the shape of the portion of the servo write head 13 that slides against the magnetic tape 1 (opposing portion 21 and recording surface 22 described below) is devised to reduce the influence of friction and improve the recording accuracy of the servo pattern 7.

[0043] This technology is advantageous when applied to recording servo patterns 7 on a magnetic tape 1 having a large number of recording tracks 6 (e.g., 6656 or more: LTO8 and later), but it can also be applied to recording servo patterns 7 on a magnetic tape 1 having a small number of recording tracks (e.g., less than 6656).

[0044] (Servo write head) Next, a detailed description will be given of a specific configuration of the servo write head 13. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the servo write head 13 as viewed from the magnetic tape 1 side. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the servo write head 13 as viewed from the magnetic tape 1 side.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the servo write head 13 as viewed from the magnetic tape 1 side. Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the upper part of the servo write head 13 as viewed from the side. Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing a magnetic gap 26 provided in the servo write head 13.

[0046] In each drawing described in this specification, an orthogonal coordinate system based on the servo write head 13 (head block 20, dummy 70) is represented by an XYZ coordinate system.

[0047] In the servo write head 13, the length direction (Y-axis direction) corresponds to the width direction (Y'-axis direction) of the magnetic tape 1, and the width direction (X-axis direction) corresponds to the length direction (X'-axis direction) of the magnetic tape 1 and the running direction of the magnetic tape 1. In addition, in the servo write head 13, the height direction (Z-axis direction) corresponds to the thickness direction (Z'-axis direction) of the magnetic tape 1.

[0048] As shown in these figures, the servo write head 13 includes a head block 20, a shield case 50, and a plurality of coils 60.

[0049] The shield case 50 shields against magnetic fields from the coil 60 so that the magnetic fields generated from the coil 60 of the servo write head 13 do not adversely affect other external components. The shield case 50 also shields against magnetic fields from the outside so that the magnetic fields generated from other external components do not adversely affect the coil 60.

[0050] The shielding case 50 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the length direction (Y-axis direction), short in the width direction (X-axis direction), and tall in the height direction (Z-axis direction) (see especially Figs. 4 and 5). In this embodiment, the shielding case 50 has a length Ls (Y-axis direction) of 38 mm, a width Ws (X-axis direction) of 6.4 mm, and a height Hs (Z-axis direction) of 30 mm. Note that the specific dimensions of each member and the number of members given in this specification are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0051] An opening 51 is provided at the top of the shield case 50 to expose the head block 20 from the shield case 50. In addition, an opening is provided at the bottom of the shield case 50 to pull out a conductor 61 connected to the coil 60 to the outside of the shield case 50.

[0052] The head block 20 is formed long in the length direction (Y-axis direction), and is formed in an inverted U-shape (partially cylindrical) with a curved upper portion (magnetic tape 1 side) when viewed in the length direction (see especially Figs. 5 to 7). In this embodiment, the head block 20 has a length Lh (Y-axis direction) of 24 mm, a width Wh (X-axis direction) of 3.2 mm, and a height Hh (Z-axis direction) of 3.8 mm.

[0053] At the top of the head block 20, near the center in the width direction (X-axis direction), a facing portion 21 that faces the magnetic tape 1 is provided along the length direction (Y-axis direction). This facing portion 21 is provided on the head block 20 so as to protrude upward (toward the magnetic tape 1) higher than other portions at the top of the head block 20.

[0054] In this embodiment, the facing portion 21 has a length Lc (Y-axis direction) of 24 mm, a width Wc (X-axis direction) of 1 mm, and a height Hc (Z-axis direction) of 0.1 mm.

[0055] Two tapered surfaces 25 inclined in opposite directions with respect to a horizontal plane are provided at the upper portion of the head block 20 at positions that sandwich the opposing portion 21 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the angle φ at which the tapered surfaces 25 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane is set to 25°.

[0056] The surface of the facing portion 21 is a flat surface. In this specification, the surface of the facing portion 21 is referred to as a recording surface 22. The recording surface 22 faces the running magnetic tape 1, and records a servo pattern 7 on the magnetic tape 1 by a magnetic gap 26 provided on the recording surface 22.

[0057] In this embodiment, the shape of the recording surface 22 (the shape of the facing portion 21) is made different from a normal shape in order to reduce friction between the servo write head 13 and the magnetic tape 1. In this embodiment, the shape of the recording surface 22 (the shape of the facing portion 21) makes it possible to bring the magnetic tape 1 into contact with a part of the recording surface 22 (a first region 23) and prevent the magnetic tape 1 from coming into contact with the other part of the recording surface 22 (a second region 24).

[0058] Incidentally, the recording surface 22 is a sliding surface that slides against the magnetic tape 1, but in this embodiment, the magnetic tape 1 is partially separated from the recording surface 22, so not all of the recording surface 22 is a sliding surface. Also, in the upper part of the head block 20, the parts other than the recording surface 22, such as the tapered surface 25, are configured not to come into contact with the magnetic tape 1 in order to reduce friction.

[0059] A plurality of sets of magnetic gaps 26 are provided at predetermined intervals along the length direction (Y-axis direction) on the recording surface 22 (see FIG. 9 in particular). One set of magnetic gaps 26 is composed of two magnetic gaps 26 (" / " and (\)) arranged to be inclined in directions opposite to each other with a predetermined azimuth angle ψ. The azimuth angle ψ is, for example, 12°±3°. The length PL (Y-axis direction) of the magnetic gaps 26 is, for example, 96 μm±3 μm, and the gap width (X-axis direction), which is the width of the magnetic gap 26 itself, is, for example, 0.9 μm.

[0060] The number of sets of magnetic gaps 26 corresponds to the number of servo bands s on the magnetic tape 1, and in this embodiment, the number of sets of magnetic gaps 26 is 5. Furthermore, among the five sets of magnetic gaps 26, the interval PP between two adjacent sets of magnetic gaps 26 in the length direction (Y-axis direction) corresponds to the interval between two adjacent servo bands s, and this interval PP is, for example, 2858.8 μm±4.6 μm.

[0061] In the upper portion of the facing portion 21, notches 30 are provided in the regions (four locations) between adjacent magnetic gaps 26 in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 7 in particular). Each of the four sets of notches 30 has two notches, a first notch 31 and a second notch 32.

[0062] The first notch 31 is formed by cutting out one end side in the width direction (X-axis direction) in the upper part of the facing part 21. The second notch 32 is formed by cutting out the other end side in the width direction in the upper part of the facing part 21. The first notch 31 and the second notch 32 are formed line-symmetrically with respect to the center line in the width direction of the facing part 21 (recording surface 22).

[0063] In this embodiment, the first notch 31 and the second notch 32 are formed in an arc shape. The radius of curvature R of this arc is set to 2.2 mm. The depth of the notch portion 30 is set to 5 μm to 7 μm.

[0064] A cutout portion 30 is formed in the upper portion of the facing portion 21, thereby forming a first region 23 and a second region 24 on the recording surface 22. The first region 23 is formed with a first width W1 in the width direction (X-axis direction) and is a region corresponding to a position where the magnetic gap 26 is provided in the length direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the width direction. The second region 24 is formed with a second width W2 narrower than the first width W1 and is a region corresponding to a position where the magnetic gap 26 is not provided in the length direction. The second region 24 is formed such that the recording surface 22 is cut out in a predetermined shape in the width direction.

[0065] The first regions 23 and the second regions 24 are alternately arranged along the length direction (Y-axis direction). The number of first regions 23 corresponds to the number of sets of magnetic gaps 26, and is five in this embodiment. The number of second regions 24 is four in this embodiment. Note that, although the second regions 24 are set as regions between two adjacent sets of magnetic gaps 26 in this embodiment, the second regions 24 may be set as regions further outside the endmost magnetic gaps 26 in the length direction (Y-axis direction).

[0066] 7, of the five first regions 23, two first regions 23 located at both ends in the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the recording surface 22 are each provided with a recess 34. The recess 34 is a bottomed recess with a rectangular planar shape having long sides in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the recording surface 22, and is located on both ends of the recording surface 22 in the longitudinal direction relative to the magnetic gap 26.

[0067] In particular, the recess 34 is provided at a position that is shielded from the outside air by covering the edge side area of ​​the magnetic tape 1 when the magnetic tape 1 contacts the recording surface 22. Department Since a negative pressure is formed inside the magnetic tape 34, the edge of the magnetic tape 1 is kept in contact with the recording surface 22 by utilizing the pressure difference with the outside air. Department This allows the servo pattern to be stably recorded on the magnetic tape 1 by the magnetic gap 26 adjacent to the magnetic gap 34.

[0068] The shape of the recess 34 is not limited to the above example, and may be formed into any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, etc. In addition, the recess 34 is not limited to being formed alone, and may be composed of, for example, an array of a plurality of slot-shaped recesses.

[0069] The first region 23 on the recording surface 22 has a pair of magnetic gaps 26 at its center, a width W1 (first width: X-axis direction) of 1 mm, and a length L1 (Y-axis direction) of 0.5 mm. The width W1 (first width) of the first region 23 is the same as the width Wc of the facing portion 21.

[0070] The length L1 of the first region 23 is determined by setting a margin length (+α) with respect to the length PL (96 μm±3 μm) of the magnetic gap 26. The length of this margin is, for example, about two to ten times the length of the magnetic gap 26. In this embodiment, the length of this margin is about four times the length of the magnetic gap 26.

[0071] The width (second width W2) of the second region 24 on the recording surface 22 is narrower than the width (first width W1) of the first region 23 by the cutout portion 30. Since the cutout portion 30 has an arc shape, the width (second width W2) of the second region 24 gradually narrows toward the center (lengthwise direction) of the second region 24 and is narrowest at the center. In this embodiment, the width W2m of the narrowest point at the center in the lengthwise direction of the second region 24 is 0.3 mm.

[0072] In this embodiment, the width W2m (0.3 mm) corresponding to the narrowest portion of the second region 24 is 0.3 times the width (first width W1: 1 mm) of the first region 23. The radius of curvature R (2.2 mm) of the arc is 2.2 times the width (first width W1: 1 mm) of the first region 23.

[0073] The length L2 (Y-axis direction) of the second region 24 is set to 1.9 mm. The length L2 of the second region 24 is set to, for example, about two to ten times the length L1 of the first region 23. In this embodiment, the length L2 of the second region 24 is set to about four times the length L1 of the first region 23.

[0074] 7, the second region 24 is provided with a plurality of grooves 33. The plurality of grooves 33 are formed in the second region 24 so as to cross the recording surface 22 from one end to the other end in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the recording surface 22. In this embodiment, the plurality of grooves 33 are arranged at intervals in the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the recording surface 22, and are formed linearly parallel to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the recording surface 22.

[0075] As described below, the plurality of grooves 33 are intended to increase the amount of air flowing through the second region 24 while the magnetic tape 1 is running, thereby efficiently lifting the magnetic tape 1 from the second region 24. For this reason, it is preferable that the width dimension of the plurality of grooves 33 along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the recording surface 22 is formed to be greater than their depth dimension.

[0076] Figure 10 An example of the configuration of the groove portion 33 is shown in FIG. Figure 10 In the example, the upper groove portion 331 is formed as a square groove G1 having a flat bottom. A flat apex T1 is formed between two adjacent square grooves G1. In this example, the depth of the square groove G1 is about 1 μm, the groove width at the bottom of the square groove G1 is about 5 μm, the width of the apex T1 is about 5 μm, and the arrangement pitch of the square grooves G1 is about 10 μm.

[0077] on the other hand, Figure 10 In the example, the lower groove 332 is formed as a square groove G2 having a flat bottom. A flat top T2 is formed between two adjacent square grooves G2. In this example, the width dimension of the bottom of the groove is 1 / 100 mm. T210 in that the width dimension of the angular groove G1 is larger than the width dimension of the angular groove G2. In this example, the depth of the angular groove G1 is about 1 μm, the groove width at the bottom of the angular groove G2 is about 10 μm, the width of the top T2 is about 5 μm, and the arrangement pitch of the angular grooves G2 is about 15 μm.

[0078] In the servo write head 13 of this embodiment, the grooves 332 according to the configuration example shown on the lower side in FIG. The shape of the grooves 33 is not limited to the above example, and grooves of various cross-sectional shapes such as V grooves and U grooves can be used. The arrangement pitch of the grooves 33 does not have to be constant. The direction in which the grooves 33 are formed may be slightly inclined with respect to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the recording surface 22, or grooves inclined in different directions may be combined. Furthermore, the depth and width of the grooves 33 are not limited to being uniform.

[0079] The plurality of grooves 33 are typically formed throughout the second region 24. The method for forming the grooves 33 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a surface processing technique such as dry etching, but may also be a laser processing method, a mechanical processing method, or the like.

[0080] The head block 20 comprises a core portion 40 which is the core of the head block 20, a base portion 45 which is the base where the magnetic gap 26 is formed, and a thin film portion 46 which constitutes the surface of the facing portion 21 (see particularly Figs. 6 and 8). The thin film portion 46 includes a metal magnetic film 47 (Fig. 8) provided at a position corresponding to the first region 23 in the facing portion 21, and a non-magnetic hard film 48 (Fig. 6) provided at a position corresponding to the second region 24. Note that the above-mentioned recording surface 22 actually corresponds to the surfaces of the metal magnetic film 47 and the non-magnetic hard film 48 (surface of the thin film portion 46).

[0081] The core portion 40 is formed long in the length direction (Y-axis direction) and is formed in an inverted U-shape with a curved upper portion (partially cylindrical: a portion corresponding to a first core 41 described later) when viewed in the length direction. In this embodiment, the core portion 40 has a length Lh (Y-axis direction) of 24 mm, a width Wh (X-axis direction) of 3.2 mm, and a height Hh (Z-axis direction) of 3.8 mm (the same dimensions as the head block 20 described above).

[0082] An opening 49 penetrating vertically along the length direction (Y axis direction) is formed near the center in the width direction (X axis direction) in the upper part of the core part 40. The base part 45 is disposed in the opening 49 formed in the upper part of the core part 40 so as to fill this opening 49.

[0083] The base portion 45 is long in the length direction (Y-axis direction) and short in the width direction (X-axis direction) and thickness direction (Z-axis direction). In this embodiment, the base portion 45 has a length (Y-axis direction) of 24 mm, a width Wb (X-axis direction) of 0.33 mm, and a height Hb (Z-axis direction) of 0.4 mm. The width Wb of the base portion 45 is approximately 1 / 3 of the width Wc of the facing portion 21.

[0084] As the material for the base portion 45, a hard non-magnetic material with a high melting point (various glass materials, various ceramic materials) is used, taking into consideration that heat treatment is performed for various joints during the manufacture of the head block 20 and to ensure the magnetic properties of the metal magnetic film 47.

[0085] The metal magnetic film 47 is provided in a region corresponding to the first region 23 (all regions) in the facing portion 21. The metal magnetic film 47 is made of, for example, Fe-based microcrystals, NiFe, or other soft magnetic alloys similar thereto having high saturation magnetic flux density. The thickness of the metal magnetic film 47 is several μm.

[0086] The metal magnetic film 47 has an opening 27 of a shape corresponding to the magnetic gap 26 at a position corresponding to the magnetic gap 26. The opening 27 is provided in the metal magnetic film 47 so as to penetrate the metal magnetic film 47 in the vertical direction. A non-magnetic material is embedded in the opening 27. The upper surface of the non-magnetic material is flush with the surface (recording surface 22) of the metal magnetic film 47, and the lower surface of the non-magnetic material is connected to the upper surface of the base portion 45. The magnetic gap 26 is formed by the non-magnetic material embedded in the metal magnetic film 47.

[0087] When the core portion 40 (first core 41) is excited by the coil 60, the non-magnetic material (magnetic gap 26) embedded in the metal magnetic film 47 obstructs the magnetic flux that attempts to pass through the metal magnetic film 47, generating a leakage magnetic field at the position of the magnetic gap 26. This leakage magnetic field makes it possible to write the servo pattern 7 on the servo band s.

[0088] The nonmagnetic hard film 48 is provided in a region of the facing portion 21 that corresponds to the second region 24 (entire region). The nonmagnetic hard film 48 is also provided in a region of the facing portion 21 that is further outside the first region 23 at the end in the length direction (Y-axis direction). The nonmagnetic hard film 48 is made of, for example, SiO 2 The magnetic film 47 is made of a metal material having a thickness equal to that of the magnetic film 47.

[0089] The surface of the metal magnetic film 47 and the surface of the non-magnetic hard film 48 (i.e., the recording surface 22) are at the same height, and these surfaces are flat. The grooves 33 are formed by processing the non-magnetic hard film 48. The recesses 34 are formed by processing the metal magnetic film 47.

[0090] The core section 40 includes five first cores 41 corresponding to the first region 23, four second cores 42 corresponding to the second region 24, and two end cores 43 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 7 in particular). An adhesive layer 44 is interposed between each two adjacent cores 41, 42, 43, and the cores 41, 42, 43 are connected to each other via the adhesive layer 44.

[0091] The first core 41 is made of a magnetic material, while the second core 42 and the end core 43 are made of a non-magnetic material. By interposing the second core 42 made of a non-magnetic material between the first cores 41, it is possible to magnetically separate the individual first cores 41.

[0092] Materials such as single crystal ferrite and polycrystalline ferrite are used as the magnetic material forming the first core 41. Examples of ferrite materials include Mn-Zn ferrite.

[0093] As the non-magnetic material constituting the second core 42 and the end core 43, a material having a thermal expansion coefficient equivalent to that of the first core 41 and the metal magnetic film 47 is used, taking into consideration that heat treatment is performed for various joining processes and to ensure the magnetic properties of the metal magnetic film 47. For example, the non-magnetic material is BaO-TiO 2 Ceramics, CaO-TnO 2 Ceramics, glass ceramics with a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of ferrite materials, etc. are used.

[0094] The second core 42 and the end core 43 are formed in an inverted U shape with an open bottom when viewed in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6 in particular). On the other hand, the first core 41 has an upper part with the same shape as the second core 42 and the end core 43, but the lower part is not open and the first core 41 is formed in a cylindrical (O-shape) shape as a whole, which is different from the second core 42 and the end core 43.

[0095] At the bottom of each of the five first cores 41, an individual coil 60 is formed by winding an individual conductive wire 61 in a coil shape.

[0096] An individual pulse signal can be supplied to each of the five coils 60, and the five first cores 41 can be individually excited. This allows each of the five first cores 41 to write the servo pattern 7 to the servo band s at a different timing.

[0097] In addition, the thin film portion 46 that forms the surface of the opposing portion 21 in the first core 41 is a metal magnetic film 47, while the thin film portion 46 that forms the surface of the opposing portion 21 in the second core 42 and the end core 43 is a non-magnetic hard film 48.

[0098] The servo write head 13 may be movable in the height direction (Z-axis direction) by a head moving mechanism (not shown). In this case, the recording surface 22 of the head block 20 can be protruded toward the magnetic tape 1, and the penetration distance P toward the magnetic tape 1 and the wrap angle θ with respect to the magnetic tape 1 can be adjusted.

[0099] [Evaluation of the contact condition between the recording surface and the magnetic tape] Next, an explanation will be given of the evaluation of the contact state between the recording surface 22 and the running magnetic tape 1. In this evaluation, first, a plurality of types of dummies 70 simulating the upper part of the head block 20 were prepared, and then, each of these dummies 70 was set in the evaluation device 200 to evaluate the contact state.

[0100] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the recording surfaces 22 (22a, 22b) of various dummies 70. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a portion of the dummy 70 in the length direction.

[0101] Here, the shape of the dummy 70 is the same as the shape of the upper part of the actual head block 20, but the dummy 70 differs from the upper part of the actual head block 20 in that all parts of the dummy 70 are made of glass material.

[0102] The reason why a glass material is used as the material of the dummy 70 is to use optical interference fringes to evaluate the contact state between the recording surface 22 and the magnetic tape 1. In each figure including the dummy 70, the magnetic gap 26 is drawn to indicate the position of the magnetic gap 26, but the dummy 70 does not actually have the magnetic gap 26.

[0103] 11 shows two dummies 70 (70a, 70b). For the two dummies 70, two different types of recording surfaces 22 (22a, 22b) are prepared, respectively, in order to efficiently evaluate the contact state.

[0104] The upper dummy 70a in FIG. 11 is the same as that in the embodiment shown in FIG. Servo Light It has a recording surface 22a having the same structure as the recording surface 22 of the head 13. For the dummy 70a, a dummy in which the upper groove 331 in FIG. 10 is used as the groove 33, and a dummy in which the lower groove 332 in FIG. 10 is used were prepared. On the other hand, the lower dummy 70b in FIG. 11 has a recording surface 22b on which structures corresponding to the groove 33 and the recess 34 are not formed. FIG. 12 corresponds to a perspective view of the dummy 70b having this recording surface 22b.

[0105] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an evaluation device 200 for evaluating the contact state between the recording surface 22 and the running magnetic tape 1. As shown in FIG.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 13, the evaluation device 200 includes a light source 81, a beam splitter 82, an imaging unit 83, an amplifier unit 84, a control device 85, a display unit 86, and an input unit 87.

[0107] The light source 81 is configured to be capable of emitting monochromatic light in a specific wavelength region (for example, red). The beam splitter 82 transmits the light emitted from the light source 81 and guides the light reflected by the dummy 70 and the magnetic tape 1 to the imaging unit 83 side.

[0108] The imaging section 83 captures an image using light reflected from the dummy 70 and the magnetic tape 1. The amplifier 84 amplifies the signal of the image captured by the imaging section 83 and outputs the amplified signal to the control device 85.

[0109] The control device 85 includes, for example, a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. The control unit is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc., and comprehensively controls each unit of the evaluation device 200 according to a program stored in the storage unit.

[0110] The storage unit includes a non-volatile memory in which various data and various programs are recorded, and a volatile memory used as a working area for the control unit. The various programs may be read from a portable recording medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory, or may be downloaded from a server device on a network. The communication unit is configured to be capable of communicating with other devices such as a server device.

[0111] The display unit 86 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like, and displays the image captured by the imaging unit 83 on the display in response to an instruction from the control device 85. The input unit 87 is, for example, a keyboard, a contact sensor, or the like, and inputs various instructions from the user and outputs them to the control device 87.

[0112] Here, the movement of light will be explained. First, light emitted from the light source 81 passes through the beam splitter 82 and enters the dummy 70 from the back side of the dummy 70 (the side opposite the recording surface 22). A part of the light that enters the dummy 70 is reflected by the recording surface 22. Another part of the light that enters the dummy 70 passes through the recording surface 22 and is reflected by the magnetic tape 1. The light reflected by the recording surface 22 and the magnetic tape 1 is guided by the beam splitter 82 to the imaging unit 83, and an image is captured by the imaging unit 83.

[0113] If there is a distance between the recording surface 22 and the magnetic tape 1, the light reflected by the recording surface 22 and the light reflected by the magnetic tape 1 will strengthen or weaken each other depending on this distance, and this will appear as interference fringes in the image captured by the imaging unit 83.

[0114] Fig. 14 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the dummy 70 and the magnetic tape 1 in the evaluation device 200. The left side of Fig. 14 shows the evaluation device 200 as viewed from the magnetic tape 1 side. The right side of Fig. 14 shows an image of the dummy 70 and the magnetic tape 1. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' shown in Fig. 14.

[0115] 14 and 15, in addition to the components shown in Fig. 13, the evaluation device 200 is provided with a guide 88 for guiding the magnetic tape 1. Although not shown, the evaluation device 200 also includes a drive device for running the magnetic tape 1 and a dummy moving mechanism for moving the dummy 70 to the magnetic tape 1 side.

[0116] The two guides 88 are disposed at positions sandwiching the dummy 70 in the width direction of the dummy 70 (X-axis direction: running direction of the magnetic tape 1) with a predetermined distance between them. In this embodiment, the distance D between the dummy 70 and the guides 88 is set to 19.5 mm.

[0117] The dummy 70 can be moved in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the dummy 70 by a dummy moving mechanism, and can be protruded toward the magnetic tape 1. The distance by which the dummy 70 protrudes toward the magnetic tape 1 and penetrates into the magnetic tape 1 is hereinafter referred to as the penetration distance P. The penetration distance P is based on the position of the dummy 70 when the magnetic tape 1 is flat and the dummy 70 is in contact with the flat magnetic tape 1 (penetration distance P=0).

[0118] Moreover, the angle between the recording surface 22 of the dummy 70 and the magnetic tape 1 when viewed from the length direction of the dummy 70 (Y-axis direction: width direction of the magnetic tape 1) will hereinafter be referred to as the wrap angle θ (not the part of the magnetic tape 1 that faces the recording surface 22, but the parts on both sides that sandwich the part that faces the recording surface 22 in the running direction of the magnetic tape 1). Note that when the penetration distance P is 0, the wrap angle θ is 0°.

[0119] In this embodiment, the speed V at which the magnetic tape 1 runs is 10 m / s.

[0120] (Evaluation of the groove) First, the grooves 33 formed in the second region 22 on the recording surface 22 were evaluated.

[0121] Fig. 16 shows an image of the dummy 70a captured by the imaging unit 83 of the evaluation device 200. The upper side in Fig. 16 is an image of the dummy 70a having the groove portion 33 (331) shown in the upper side of Fig. 10, and the lower side in Fig. 16 is an image of the dummy 70a having the groove portion 33 (332) shown in the lower side of Fig. 10. For each dummy 70a, the penetration distance P was set to 1 mm, and the sliding width of the magnetic tape 1 relative to the recording surface 22 in the X-axis direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the sliding width) was set to 0.8 mm.

[0122] 16, the portion corresponding to the first region 23 is black over almost the entire area. This indicates that the magnetic tape 1 is in flat contact with the first region 23 over almost the entire area.

[0123] On the other hand, when comparing the locations corresponding to the second region 24, the region in which interference fringes are formed is wider in the lower view than in the upper view of Fig. 16. In particular, clear interference fringes with a narrow pitch of light and dark were confirmed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the second region 24. This indicates that the dummy 70a (lower view of Fig. 16) having the groove portion 332 with a wider groove width has a higher floating amount of the magnetic tape 1 from the second region 24.

[0124] The interference fringes represent contour lines, so to speak. To explain the interference fringes in the second region 24 in detail, the magnetic tape 1 is farthest from the recording surface 22 at the center part in the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the second region 24, and gradually approaches the recording surface 22 as it approaches both ends in the length direction of the second region 24.

[0125] The magnetic tape 1 floats relative to the second region 24 of the recording surface 22 for the following reasons. First, when the magnetic tape 1 runs, a minute air current is generated in the running direction by an air layer attached to the magnetic tape 1. The facing portion 21 has a notch 30 for forming the second region 24, and the air current flows into a notch 31 (left side in the image) of this notch 30 that is located upstream in the tape running direction.

[0126] The airflow that has flown into notch 31 on the upstream side in the tape running direction enters between the second area 24 of recording surface 22 and magnetic tape 1, and causes magnetic tape 1 to float from second area 24 of recording surface 22. After magnetic tape 1 has been floated, this airflow flows into notch 32 on the downstream side in the tape running direction, and is released to the outside. It is for this reason that magnetic tape 1 floats.

[0127] The groove 33 provided in the second region 24 increases the amount of air that gets in between the second region 24 and the magnetic tape 1. Comparing the top and bottom of Fig. 16, although the floating of the magnetic tape 1 in the second region 24 is observed, it is considered that the adoption of the groove 332 with a wider groove width results in a larger amount of air flowing through the second region 24, resulting in a higher floating amount of the magnetic tape 1.

[0128] Based on the above considerations, in the following evaluation, an experiment was carried out using the dummy 70a having the groove portion 332 with a wide groove width (lower part in FIG. 10).

[0129] (Comparison between Dummy 70a and Dummy 70b) Next, the effect of floating the magnetic tape 1 in the second area 24 was compared using a dummy 70a having the groove 33 (332) and a dummy 70b having no groove 33.

[0130] Fig. 17 shows images of the dummies 70a and 70b captured by the imaging unit 83 of the evaluation device 200. The upper side in Fig. 17 is an image of the dummy 70a, and the lower side in Fig. 17 is an image of the dummy 70b. For both dummies 70a and 70b, the penetration distance P was set to 1 mm, and the sliding width was set to 1 mm.

[0131] 17, the upper and lower images have in common that the portions corresponding to the first region 23 are almost entirely black. In other words, this shows that the magnetic tape 1 is in flat contact with the first region 23 for both dummies 70a and 70b.

[0132] On the other hand, when attention is paid to the portion corresponding to the second region 24, it is confirmed that the magnetic tape 1 floats from the entire second region 24 in the dummy 70a (upper part of FIG. 17). In contrast, in the dummy 70b (FIG. 17, bottom), interference fringes were observed only near the center of the second area 24. This indicates that the floating range of the magnetic tape 1 in the second area 24 is partial.

[0133] 18 is an image of the first region 23 located at one end in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the recording surface 22, taken by the evaluation device 200. Flat contact of the magnetic tape 1 in the first region 23 is also confirmed in this figure. In particular, since the first region 23 is located on the edge side of the magnetic tape 1, the edge of the magnetic tape 1 is likely to curl up due to airflow during running. However, as shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a recess 34 is provided in the first region 23, so that the pressure difference between the inside of the recess 34 and the outside air can be utilized to stably bring the edge region of the magnetic tape 1 into contact with the first region 23.

[0134] As is clear from the above results, by providing the grooves 33 in the second region 24 of the recording surface 22, the floating range of the magnetic tape 1 in the second region 24 can be expanded compared to the case where no grooves are provided. This allows the magnetic tape 1 to be stably brought into contact with the first region 23 having the magnetic gap 26 while running substantially without contacting the second region 24, thereby reducing friction between the recording surface 22 and the magnetic tape 1. This allows the magnetic tape 1 to flow smoothly relative to the recording surface 22, improving the accuracy of recording the servo pattern 7.

[0135] FIG. 19 shows the structure of this embodiment having a groove 33. Servo Light The experiment was carried out using three magnetic tapes with different coefficients of friction against the head 13. Servo Light 13 is an experimental result showing the frequency characteristics of the head 13. Servo Light The experimental results for the head (comparative example) are also shown. Here, Servo Light Magnetic tapes with coefficients of friction with respect to the head 13 of 0.38 (top of the figure), 0.33 (center of the figure), and 0.28 (bottom of the figure) were used. As shown in the figure, the higher the friction coefficient, the greater the improvement on the high frequency side (4000 to 5000 Hz).

[0136] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an example of application to a magnetic head in a tape drive device will be described as a magnetic head.

[0137] 20A and 20B are schematic diagrams of a magnetic head 20, where a) is a plan view, b) is an enlarged view of a), c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line cc in b), and d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line dd in b). In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the X-axis direction corresponds to the width direction of the magnetic head (the tape running direction), and the Y-axis corresponds to the length direction of the magnetic head (the tape width direction).

[0138] As shown in Figure 2B, the magnetic head 80 has a recording surface 83 having a head placement area 81 in which a recording / reproducing head unit for recording is placed, and end areas 82 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) where no recording / reproducing head unit is placed.

[0139] 21 is a further schematic enlarged view of the head arrangement area 81. As shown in the figure, in the head arrangement area 81, a plurality of recording / reproducing head sections 63 are arranged at intervals in the head longitudinal direction. The recording / reproducing head section 63 has a data write head section 64 and a data read head section 65. The data write head section 64 is composed of a magnetic gap. The data read head section 65 is composed of a magnetoresistance effect element (MR element).

[0140] The head arrangement area 81 has a first area 101 in which the recording / reproducing head section 63 is provided, and a second area 102 in which the recording / reproducing head section 63 is not provided. In this embodiment, a plurality of grooves 111 are provided in the second area 102 across both ends in the head width direction (X-axis direction). The shape of the grooves 111 is formed in the same manner as the grooves 33 (FIG. 10) in the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0141] The grooves 111 are formed linearly and parallel to the head width direction (X-axis direction). The grooves 111 are arranged at intervals in the head length direction (Y-axis direction) in the second region 102. The arrangement pitch of the grooves 111 is, for example, 83 μm in a magnetic head with a 32-channel structure in which 32 recording / reproducing head units 63 are arranged.

[0142] In the magnetic head 80 of this embodiment configured as described above, since a plurality of grooves are arranged in the second area 102 where the recording / reproducing head section 63 is not arranged, it is possible to reduce friction between the magnetic tape running on the recording surface 83 and the second area 102. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of recording data signals. It is also possible to improve the accuracy of reproducing data signals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1. Magnetic tape 13...Servo light head 21…Facing part 22...Record surface 23…First Area 24…Second Area 26...Magnetic gap 30…Notch 33…Groove 70…Dummy 100...Servo pattern recording device 200...Evaluation device

Claims

1. a recording surface having a first region corresponding to a position where a magnetic gap is provided in the length direction, and a second region corresponding to a position where the magnetic gap is not provided in the length direction and having a plurality of grooves extending across from one end to the other end in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction, the second region being provided with a plurality of grooves, and a signal is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic gap while the magnetic tape is lifted from the second region by air flowing between the second region and the magnetic tape during the running of the magnetic tape; Equipped with The first region is formed to have a first width in the width direction, the second region is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, A width dimension of the plurality of grooves along the length direction is greater than a depth dimension of the plurality of grooves. Magnetic head.

2. 2. The magnetic head according to claim 1, The first regions and the second regions are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction in multiples, The plurality of grooves are provided in the second region sandwiched between the first regions. Magnetic head.

3. 3. The magnetic head according to claim 2, The recording surface further has recesses provided in two of the first regions located at both ends in the longitudinal direction, the recesses being shielded from the outside air by the magnetic tape in contact with the recording surface. Magnetic head.

4. 2. The magnetic head according to claim 1, The plurality of grooves are formed linearly along the width direction. Magnetic head.

5. 2. The magnetic head according to claim 1, A width dimension of the bottoms of the plurality of grooves along the length direction is greater than a width dimension of the tops between the plurality of grooves. Magnetic head.

6. 2. The magnetic head according to claim 1, The second area is formed by cutting out the recording surface in a predetermined shape in the width direction. Magnetic head.

7. 7. The magnetic head according to claim 6, The predetermined shape is a circular arc. Magnetic head.

8. 2. The magnetic head according to claim 1, The magnetic head is a servo write head that records a servo pattern on the magnetic tape. Magnetic head.

9. 2. The magnetic head according to claim 1, The magnetic head is a recording head for recording data signals on the magnetic tape. Magnetic head.

10. a servo write head having a recording surface which includes a first region corresponding to a position in the length direction where a magnetic gap is provided, and a second region corresponding to a position in the length direction where the magnetic gap is not provided and in which a plurality of grooves are provided across the first region from one end in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction to the other end in the width direction, and which records a servo pattern on the magnetic tape by the magnetic gap while floating the magnetic tape from the second region by air flowing between the second region and the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape runs; Equipped with The first region is formed to have a first width in the width direction, the second region is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, A width dimension of the plurality of grooves along the length direction is greater than a depth dimension of the plurality of grooves. Servo pattern recording device.

11. a magnetic head having a head surface including a first region corresponding to a position in the length direction where a magnetic gap is provided, and a second region corresponding to a position in the length direction where the magnetic gap is not provided and having a plurality of grooves extending across the first region from one end to the other end in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction, the head surface recording a data signal on the magnetic tape by the magnetic gap while floating the magnetic tape from the second region by air flowing between the second region and the magnetic tape during the running of the magnetic tape Equipped with The first region is formed to have a first width in the width direction, the second region is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, A width dimension of the plurality of grooves along the length direction is greater than a depth dimension of the plurality of grooves. Tape drive device.

12. a magnetic tape is run in a width direction on a recording surface of a servo write head having a first region corresponding to a position where a magnetic gap is provided in the length direction, and a second region corresponding to a position where the magnetic gap is not provided in the length direction and having a plurality of grooves extending across the magnetic tape from one end in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction to the other end in the width direction; While the magnetic tape is in contact with the first area and floated above the second area, a servo pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic gap. A method for manufacturing a magnetic tape, comprising the steps of: The first region is formed to have a first width in the width direction, the second region is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, A width dimension of the plurality of grooves along the length direction is greater than a depth dimension of the plurality of grooves. How magnetic tapes are manufactured.

13. a magnetic tape is run in a width direction on a recording surface of a servo write head having a first region corresponding to a position where a magnetic gap is provided in the length direction, and a second region corresponding to a position where the magnetic gap is not provided in the length direction and having a plurality of grooves extending across the magnetic tape from one end in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction to the other end in the width direction; While the magnetic tape is in contact with the first area and floated above the second area, a data signal is recorded on the magnetic tape by the magnetic gap. A recording method comprising the steps of: The first region is formed to have a first width in the width direction, the second region is formed with a second width narrower than the first width, A width dimension of the plurality of grooves along the length direction is greater than a depth dimension of the plurality of grooves. Recording method.

Images