Method of reading and writing data transitions on side-by-side tracks on magnetic media

In the method of writing and reading data, by operation of magnetic head means, on side-by-side tracks defined by magnetic recording media on a substrate, said tracks having lengths and widths, said said magnetic head means having lengthwise elongated magnetic flux gaps, the steps that include:

• a) magnetically writing data magnetic transitions on the tracks, and to extend at angles relative to the length directions of the tracks, at least one angle being acute relative to said length direction,
• b) and immediately thereafter magnetically reading said transitions,
• c) the method including operating said magnetic head means to cause the data transitions, as recorded, to have lengths as measured along the direction of gap lengthwise elongation greater than the widths of said side-by-side tracks, and operating the head means to perform read after write on two or more adjacent data tracks simultaneously, in either direction of media travel relative to and along said length directions of the tracks,
• d) there being servo bands buried in the media beneath said data tracks, each servo band underlying multiple of said data tracks,
• e) the magnetic head means including read/write magnetic cores which are azimuthally angled relative to the track means length direction, and orienting and operating said magnetic cores to carry out said a), b) and c) steps,
• f) and including a guidance system, the magnetic cores including a read core, and operating said system to laterally guide said head means to maintain the read core in alignment with said data transitions extending at said acute angle on the track means.