Magnetic head for very high track density magnetic recording

A magnetic head for use in connection with recording information on and reading information from a magnetic tape, said magnetic head comprising:

• a. a surface;
• b. two laterally spaced apart longitudinal head gaps opening onto said surface, said head gaps extending generally parallel to each other, said head gaps being generally laterally aligned;
• and
• c. a third longitudinal head gap opening onto said surface and located between said first two head gaps, said third head gap extending generally parallel to said first two head gaps and being offset in a lengthwise direction from said first two head gaps.

A magnetic head for use in connection with recording information on and reading information from a magnetic tape, said magnetic head comprising:

• a. a surface;
• b. two laterally spaced apart columns of head gaps opening onto said surface, each said column comprising a plurality of longitudinal head gaps, said head gaps being in an end-to-end spaced apart relationship, said first two columns being generally laterally aligned;
• and
• c. a third column of head gaps opening onto said surface, said third column being located between said first two columns, and comprising a corresponding plurality of longitudinal head gaps, said head gaps being in an end-to-end spaced apart relationship, said head gaps of said third column being offset in a lengthwise direction from said corresponding head gaps of said first two columns.