Three pole single element magnetic read/write head

A magnetic head structure for recording and reading magnetic transitions on a selectable one of a plurality of tracks on a magnetic recording medium comprising:

• a magnetic structure having three spaced pole pieces, said pole pieces comprising outside pole pieces each spaced from a central pole piece to form a transducing gap between each of said outside pole pieces and said central pole piece;
• first and second coils each wound on said magnetic structure between an outside and the center pole of said pole pieces;
• first control circuit means for connecting said coils in a first configuration for a write operation whereby the flux in said magnetic pole pieces is additive for writing;
• and
• second control circuit means for connecting said coils in a second configuration for a read operation so that a previously recorded magnetic transition in the magnetic recording medium adjacent to said transducing gaps is sensed additively in said coils.