Write current optimization for single-pole and trailing-shield heads in perpendicular recording

Recording performance as a function of write current is studied for single-pole and trailing-shield heads. Optimal write current is not obvious from saturation curves. Media noise, jitter, and error rate give better guidance. For a single-pole head, there is an optimal write current, beyond which, the field strength may continue to increase, but field gradient degrades leading to higher noise. For trailing shield achieved by reverse-flying longitudinal heads, the field magnitude and gradient from the main pole continue to improve with increasing write current. However, the return pole erasure also increases. There is a critical current, above which, partial erasure from the return pole leads to excessive noise. Finite-element modeling of these two types of write poles has been performed to confirm and understand the experimental findings. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.