Bidirectional flat contour linear tape recording head and drive

A bidirectional linear thin film tape head for use with a magnetic recording tape passing thereover, comprising:

• a ceramic rowbar substrate having a flat transducing surface and at least one thin film transducer on a gap surface on a side of said substrate, said thin film transducer forming an extension to said flat transducing surface;
• a slope discontinuity edge at said transducing surface opposite said gap surface of 10 degrees or more with said flat transducing surface;
• a ceramic closure covering said thin film transducer on a side thereof opposite said gap surface of said substrate and forming a further extension to said flat transducing surface, and forming a slope discontinuity edge with respect to said flat transducing surface in front of said gap surface of 10 degrees or more with said flat transducing surface;
• and
• at least one outrigger spaced from said ceramic rowbar substrate for controlling the wrap angle of said tape at said ceramic rowbar substrate to an angle between about 1/8 of a degree to about 4.5 degrees.

A magnetic tape drive for use with a magnetic recording tape, comprising:

• a tape drive system for moving said magnetic recording tape linearly and bidirectionally;
• a ceramic rowbar substrate having a flat transducing surface and at least one thin film transducer on a gap surface on a side of said substrate, said thin film transducer forming an extension to said flat transducing surface for contacting said moving magnetic recording tape and reading and/or writing on said tape with said thin film transducer;
• a slope discontinuity edge at said transducing surface opposite said gap surface of 10 degrees or more with said flat transducing surface;
• an alumina overcoat covering said thin film transducer on a side thereof opposite said gap surface of said substrate and forming a further extension to said flat transducing surface, and forming a slope discontinuity edge of 10 degrees or more with said flat transducing surface for contacting said moving magnetic tape;
• and
• at least one outrigger spaced from said ceramic rowbar substrate in said linear direction of said tape for controlling the wrap angle of said tape at said ceramic rowbar substrate to an angle between about 1/8 a degree to about 4.5 degrees.

A magnetic tape drive for use with a magnetic recording tape, comprising:

• a motor and reel drive for moving said magnetic recording tape linearly and bidirectionally;
• a ceramic rowbar substrate having a flat transducing surface and at least one thin film transducer on a gap surface on a side of said substrate, said thin film transducer forming an extension to said flat transducing surface for contacting said moving magnetic recording tape and reading and/or writing on said tape with said thin film transducer;
• a slope discontinuity edge at said transducing surface opposite said gap surface of 10 degrees or more with said flat transducing surface;
• a ceramic closure covering said thin film transducer on a side thereof opposite said gap surface of said substrate and forming a further extension to said flat transducing surface, and forming a slope discontinuity edge with respect to said flat transducing surface in front of said gap surface of 10 degrees or more with said flat transducing surface for contacting said moving magnetic tape;
• and
• at least one outrigger spaced from said ceramic rowbar substrate for controlling the wrap angle of said tape at said ceramic rowbar substrate to an angle between about 1/8 a degree to about 4.5 degrees.