EFFECT OF MEDIA PROPERTIES ON SIDE ERASE BANDS

The erase bands on CoNiCr/Cr longitudinal media with coercivities ranging from 176 to 1390 Oe have been studied using a two-frequency, triple-track profile method. In this method, the two side tracks are recorded at 10 kFCI and the central track ranges from 0 to 40 kFCI. The write and the erase widths are measured by the Bitter method. Media properties such as coercivity, coercivity squareness and remanence-thickness product are correlated with the total write width. It is shown that media with high coercivity squareness contribute to a reduction in the width of a side erase band. In addition, the magnetic structure of the triple-track profile has been characterized by high resolution Bitter patterns using scanning electron microscopy, which show domain structures within bit cells and along track edges. Finally, the relationship of the erase band to the magnetic structure is discussed. © 1990 IEEE