In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a substrate and a closure, an array of transducers in a thin film structure on the substrate, the array being positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a heating element positioned in the thin film structure and recessed from the tape bearing surface, and a controller electrically coupled to the heating element. The controller is configured to apply a current pulse of size, shape and duration sufficient to induce a permanent expansion of the array of transducers.

An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a substrate and a closure above the substrate. A gap is positioned between the closure and the substrate, the gap having an array of magnetic transducers extending therealong and unpatterned films. The gap further includes a first layer of a first material having a bulk modulus of elasticity lower than the unpatterned films in the gap. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a plurality of magnetic transducers arranged in a linear array, and a layer of an expansion material between each adjacent pair of magnetic transducers in the array. An encapsulant is positioned between each layer of the expansion material and the adjacent magnetic transducers. The expansion material has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the encapsulant.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge, where a tape tenting region extends from the first edge toward the second edge, the first edge being a first end of the tape tenting region, a second end of the tape tenting region being positioned between the first and second edges. The apparatus includes a guide positioned relative to the first edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape and a transducer positioned in the tape tenting region. In one approach, the transducer is a TMR sensor. In another approach, the tape bearing surface is planar. In yet another approach, the guide is positioned to create an inflection point of the moving magnetic recording tape at a location above the tape tenting region that is between the transducer and the second edge.

An apparatus according to one approach includes a module having an array of transducers having at least two transducers. The apparatus also includes a persistent memory having stored therein data of a span of the array of transducers at a particular temperature. An apparatus according to another approach includes a module having fiducials at known positions relative to an array of transducers. The apparatus also includes a persistent memory having stored therein data of a span between the fiducials at a particular temperature. The fiducial span may be used in conjunction with the known locations of the fiducials relative to the array to characterize the span of the array.

In one embodiment, a method includes writing, using a magnetic head, a set of parallel shingled tracks onto a magnetic recording tape using specified drive parameters, changing one of the specified drive parameters, reading a set of selected data tracks on the magnetic recording tape using the changed drive parameter, changing a lateral head position while reading the set of selected data tracks using the changed drive parameter, comparing track error rates observed during reading at the different lateral head positions, selecting a reader offset value based on the comparing, and performing a further action using the selected reader offset value.

A tape drive system for ensuring tape data integrity by tape surface inspection, the tape drive system being configured for reading and writing data from/to a magnetic tape, is provided. The tape drive system includes a laser inspection unit comprising a sender and a receiver integrated into the tape drive system, wherein the laser inspection unit configured for recognizing a tape defect by scanning the magnetic tape when the tape drive system is in operation. The tape drive system includes a read/write head configured for acting together with the laser inspection unit as sensors for providing sensor data during a read/write operation of the tape drive system, a communication link between the sensors and a controller unit for exchanging sensor data. The controller is configured for evaluating sensor data and for triggering predefined actions based on the respective evaluation results such that the tape data integrity is ensured.

A method according to one embodiment includes forming a first portion of a thin film writer structure on a substrate, forming a portion of a write gap at an initial position, a plane of deposition of the portion of the write gap being at an angle of greater than 0 and less than 90 relative to an upper surface of the first portion in the initial position, moving the writer structure to orient the plane of deposition of the portion of the write gap more toward perpendicular to a plane corresponding to a final media-facing surface of the writer structure than the orientation of the plane of deposition of the portion of the write gap in the initial position, and fixing the writer structure in place after the moving.

A module according to one embodiment includes a body having a tape bearing surface, and a coating on the tape bearing surface. The module is nonfunctional for reading and writing. The module is useful for abrasiveness testing of magnetic recording tapes and/or coating wear.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a die comprising an array of transducers in a transducer region of the die, a first region extending from the transducer region to a first end of the die and a second region extending from the transducer region to a second end of the die, and a beam, wherein the transducer region of the die is fixedly attached to the beam.

An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a module; and a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along the module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes: a sensor structure having a tunnel barrier layer and a free layer. Moreover, each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes a pair of hard bias magnets which sandwich the respective sensor structure therebetween, the hard bias magnets being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor structure along a cross-track direction. Furthermore, a thickness of each of the hard bias magnets at a thickest portion thereof is at least 10 times greater than a thickness of the free layer. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.