Provided are a tape head module, tape drive, and method for moving a tape medium over a tape head having a recessed portion to provide air bearing between a tape medium and a tape bearing surface of the module. The tape head includes a tape bearing surface, an array of transducers, including read and/or write transducers, on the tape bearing surface, and a recessed portion formed on the tape bearing surface, wherein the array of transducers is located on the tape bearing surface between the recessed portion and an end of the module to perform read and/or write operations with respect to the tape medium.

An apparatus, according to one approach, includes an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module. Two outer arrays of data transducers are positioned on the module to sandwich the inner array therebetween. Inner servo readers are positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays. Outer servo readers are positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays. A method, according to one approach, includes passing a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands over a module as described above. Data on two of the data bands is simultaneously transduced (read and/or written) using the data transducers of the inner and outer arrays. Thus, the bandwidth of the data operation can be increased, e.g., effectively doubled.

An apparatus, according to one approach, includes an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module. Two outer arrays of data transducers are positioned on the module to sandwich the inner array therebetween. Inner servo readers are positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays. Outer servo readers are positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays. A method, according to one approach, includes passing a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands over a module as described above. Data on two of the data bands is simultaneously transduced (read and/or written) using the data transducers of the inner and outer arrays. Thus, the bandwidth of the data operation can be increased, e.g., effectively doubled.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a top head actuated over a top surface of a first disk, a bottom head actuated over a bottom surface of the first disk, a top head actuated over a top surface of a second disk, and a bottom head actuated over a bottom surface of the second disk. A dual channel preamp circuit is coupled to the top and bottom heads of the first and second disks, wherein a selection signal is applied to the dual channel preamp circuit to select between the first disk and the second disk. A concurrent access operation of the top and bottom surface of the selected disk is executed using the dual channel preamp circuit.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a top head actuated over a top surface of a first disk, a bottom head actuated over a bottom surface of the first disk, a top head actuated over a top surface of a second disk, and a bottom head actuated over a bottom surface of the second disk. A dual channel preamp circuit is coupled to the top and bottom heads of the first and second disks, wherein a selection signal is applied to the dual channel preamp circuit to select between the first disk and the second disk. A concurrent access operation of the top and bottom surface of the selected disk is executed using the dual channel preamp circuit.

The present disclosure generally relates to tape heads for use in a tape drive system. The tape head includes a plurality of servo elements and a plurality of data elements disposed between the servo elements. An electrostrictive material is present in the tape head. Electrodes are coupled to the electrostrictive material to permit a voltage to be distributed across the electrostrictive material. The voltage causes the electrostrictive material to expand, and thus expand the tape head. By expanding the tape head by adding voltage, or contracting the tape head by lowering voltage, the spacing between adjacent data elements can be adjusted to match the spacing between adjacent data tracks on a tape.

An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a module having a first array of read transducers. A first electrical shielding layer is positioned above the first array of read transducers. An array of write transducers is positioned above the first electrical shielding layer. A second electrical shielding layer is positioned above the array of write transducers. A second array of read transducers is positioned above the second electrical shielding layer.

An apparatus, in accordance with one approach, includes a module having a first array of read transducers. A first electrical shielding layer is positioned above the first array of read transducers. An array of write transducers is positioned above the first electrical shielding layer. A second electrical shielding layer is positioned above the array of write transducers. A second array of read transducers is positioned above the second electrical shielding layer.

A magnetic head, according to one embodiment, includes a rowbar substrate having a tape support surface and a gap surface at a substrate edge. A closure is positioned opposite the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, the closure forming a portion of the tape support surface. A recessed gap region is interposed between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a recessed gap profile that extends between the gap surface of the rowbar substrate and the closure, the recessed gap region having a transducer row with at least one magnetic sensor on the gap surface of the rowbar substrate. An insulation layer is positioned over the recessed gap profile of the recessed gap region.

An apparatus according to one approach includes a servo reader transducer structure on a module. The servo reader transducer structure has a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, the upper and lower shields providing magnetic shielding, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and one of the shields, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the one of the shields. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. The conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than the conductivity of the spacer layer. An array of writers is also present on the module. Writer modules having this structure are less susceptible to shorting, and therefore enable use of TMR servo readers on writer modules.