The computing, information processing, and networking industries have undergone rapid expansion in applications, all of which require improved data storage and retrieval systems. For many years hard disk drives have provided cost-effective online storage and retrieval of large quantities of data; hard drives are in the middle of the storage hierarchy because they are nonvolatile, cheaper than semiconductor memory, and faster than tape drive systems used as backup for other storage technologies. Demands for increased storage capacity, higher speed, increased reliability, and reduced cost have led to significant and impressive reductions in the size of the magnetic bit, or bit cell, in hard disk drives. The advent of the personal computer spurred reductions in the size of hard disk drives, which in turn led to smaller recording recording heads and disk diameters. Because data are retrieved in the form of electrical signals arising from magnetic transducers, recording head engineers and scientists have continuously improved these devices to provide useful signal levels in the presence of electrical noise as well as acceptable data integrity and long-term reliability.
1. Overview of Digital Recording Systems
2. Thin-Film Properties for MR Sensors
3. Coupled Magnetic Films
4. Sense Element Biasing, Shielding, and Stabilization
5. AMR Head Design and Analysis
6. GMR Head Design and Analysis
7. Microtrack Profiles
8. Characterization of MR Device Function and Reliability
Subject Index