Signal-noise performance of 1–4-μm-wide multilayer M-R transducers

Signal-to-noise ratio measurements were performed on 0.75-, 1.25-, 1.5-, 2.0-, and 4.0-μm-wide end-on magnetoresistive (M-R) transducers made from multilayer magnetic films. The transducers had length-to-width ratios of 10 and 100. From experimental results, the calculated signal-to-noise performance of in-gap transducers with a length-to-width ratio of 10 was 34±2 dB. Measured signal-to-noise ratios of uniformly driven transducers with length-to-width ratios of 100 was 47±2 dB and transducers with a 10 to 1 ratio was 35±2 dB.