Write head demagnetizer

A process for removing remnant magnetization from an inductive load comprising:

• switchably connecting a ramp-down voltage source to a control region of a transistor, the transistor having a first controlled region connected to a voltage source, a second controlled region connected to the inductive load, and a threshold voltage, and
• applying a declining, oscillating voltage to the control region using the ramp-down voltage source in response to a commanded switch to demagnetization mode, the declining, oscillating voltage driving the voltage across the control region and the first controlled region below the threshold voltage of the transistor.

A demagnetizer for an inductive write head comprising:

• an H-bridge circuit including at least one transistor, the transistor having a control region, a first controlled region, a second controlled region and a threshold voltage, the first controlled region being connected to a power supply, and the second controlled region being connected to the inductive write head;
• and
• a ramp-down voltage source connected to the control region of the transistor, the ramp-down voltage source being operable to drive a voltage between the control region and the first controlled region below the threshold voltage in response to a commanded switch to demagnetization mode.