Magnetic sensors for data storage: perspective and future outlook

Sensors based on various magnetic principles and mechanisms are gaining wide acceptance in the data storage industry. The focus here is to make a comparative analysis of the practice and properties of current and past magnetic recording systems. Both longitudinal magnetic recording and perpendicular magnetic recording are addressed in the context of the media and magnetic sensors used in the recording head. An outlook for future data storage, such as patterned media and heat assisted recording, is also presented.