WESTMIJZE THIN GAP HEAD REVISITED

The “thin” gap head, first discussed by Westmijze 35 years ago, has never been realized practically. A new analysis is described here which is useful primarily because it leads to the formulation, for the first time, of an algorithm for the noniterative calculation of regular “semi-infinite” gap head fields accurate to better than any specified error. The subject of “thin” gap heads is of further interest because the eventual inclusion of superconducting materials in magnetic head construction could lead to a number of devices which have the “thin” gap field configuration. © 1990 IEEE