11.5-Gb/[in.sup.2] recording using spin-valve heads in tape systems

We have investigated recording at densities higher than 4.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] in tape systems using spin-valve heads. We report the signal-to-noise ratio at areal recording densities of 4.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] and 11.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] on low-noise obliquely metal evaporated (ME) tapes. Also, we studied an electrostatic discharge failure of giant magnetoresistive heads on ME tape. The results indicate the feasibility of an areal density of 11.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] in a helical-scan tape system. Index Terms--Areal recording density, metal evaporated tape, spin-valve head.