Filled-gap magnetic recording head and method of making

A magnetic head comprising:

• a rowbar substrate having a tape support surface and a gap surface;
• a gap comprising at least one MR transducer on the gap surface of the substrate, said gap forming a recessed portion of the tape support surface;
• a closure covering the gap on a side thereof opposite said gap surface, said closure forming a further portion of the tape support surface;
• and
• an insulator layer on the recessed portion of the tape support surface.

A method of making a magnetic head comprising:

• supplying a magnetic recording head having a gap disposed between a rowbar substrate and a closure, said rowbar substrate and closure having a tape support surface;
• recessing the gap below the level of the tape support surface;
• sputter cleaning the head in a vacuum;
• and
• depositing an insulation layer on the tape support surface and the recessed gap.

A magnetic tape recorder system comprising:

• a magnetic recording tape;
• a tape drive for moving the magnetic recording tape linearly and bidirectionally;
• a magnetic head for magnetically recording data on the magnetic recording tape and for sensing magnetically recorded data on the magnetic recording tape, said magnetic head comprising:
• a rowbar substrate having a tape support surface and a gap surface at a substrate edge;
• a gap having a transducer row with at least one magnetoresistive (MR) sensor on the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, said gap having a gap profile recessed from the tape support surface;
• a closure covering the gap on a side thereof opposite the gap surface of the rowbar substrate, said closure forming a portion of the tape support surface;
• and
• an insulator layer over the recessed gap profile;
• an actuator for positioning said magnetic head to access various tracks on the magnetic recording tape;
• and
• a read/write channel coupled electrically to the magnetic head for magnetically recording data on the magnetic recording tape and for reading data recorded on the magnetic recording tape.