Downtrack response of differential reader for high density magnetic recording

TL;DR

This study investigates the micromagnetic response of differential readers in high-density magnetic recording, revealing how design parameters affect signal quality and discrimination capabilities essential for future data storage technologies.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the micromagnetic behavior of differential readers and how their parameters influence signal quality in high-density magnetic recording.

Findings

Differential signals effectively discriminate '0' and '1' bits.

Waveforms resemble those of longitudinal or perpendicular media.

Reducing head-media spacing, free layer thickness, and gap length improves signal properties.

Abstract

The downtrack responses of a differential reader to various magnetic patterns have been investigated micromagnetically. The differential signals can well discriminate the "0" and "1" readback bits and the waveforms obtained resemble the counterparts for longitudinal media or for perpendicular media after differentiation. Pulse shapes are found Gaussian. With decreasing head media spacing, free layer thickness, and gap length, PW50 roughly linearly decreases and the maximum signal exponentially increases. These properties, together with small inter-symbol interference, are essential for future high density magnetic recording.