Tape heads with sub-ambient pressure cavities

A bi-directional tape head for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, the bi-directional tape head comprising:

• a tape-bearing surface;
• a transducer area with at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element designed for reading and/or writing to the magnetic tape;
• a first cavity open on the tape-bearing surface adjacent to the transducer area that extends parallel to the transducer area and transversally to the longitudinal direction of circulation of the tape such that an opening of the cavity faces the tape in operation;
• and
• a second cavity open on the tape-bearing surface, dimensioned and arranged with respect to the transducer area and located opposite to the first cavity with respect to the transducer area;
• wherein the first cavity and second cavity are further dimensioned and arranged with respect to the transducer area to create sub-ambient pressure therein upon circulation of the tape in operation.