2 Gbits/in2 dual stripe MR heads

Dual-stripe MR heads with linear density capability of 200 KBPI and track density capability of 11,000 TPI have been manufactured. The write head, with a 15 turn coil and a gap length of 0.3 [[micro]meter], is made of conventionally plated Permalloy for both the leading and trailing poles. The thickness and track width of the trailing pole are 3.5 and 2.1 [[micro]meter], respectively. The MR elements have a 1.4 [[micro]meter] track width, 1.1 [[micro]meter] stripe height and a 17.5 nm thickness. The shield-to-shield separation is 0.18 [[micro]meter]. The two MR elements are mutually biased and patterned-exchange domain stabilized. Recording tests were performed on a thin-film disk with a coercivity of about 3000 Oe and an [M.sub.r]t of 0.75 memu/[cm.sup.2]. The read-back amplitude is as large as 1.02 mV (p-p), and the 50% roll-off density is as high as 160 kfci. Error rate test with a PRML channel at a data rate of 105 Mbits/s showed that a low on track error rate of [10.sup.-10] and an off-track capability of more than 15% of the track pitch could be easily achieved at a linear density of 200 KBPI and a track density of 11,000 TPI.