Patent ID: 6532130
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A head (130) for a disk storage device (100) having a plurality of tracks (117) divided into memory cells (234), the head (130) comprising:means (205, 230a, 230b, 250a, 250b) for reading the memory cells (234) in succession, including at least two partial reading means (206a, 230a, 250a; 206b, 230b, 250b) each for reading portions (234a; 234b) of each memory cell (234), the portions (234a; 234b) being arranged transversely relative to a longitudinal axis (233) of the corresponding track (117), each of the partial reading means (206a, 230a, 250a; 206b, 230b, 250b) comprises: a magnetic circuit (206a; 206b) having a magnetic core interrupted by an air-gap (230a; 230b) and coupled magnetically with the memory cell (234) being read; and means (250a; 250b), linked at least partially with the magnetic circuit (206a; 206b), for detecting a value indicative of the magnetization state of the memory cell (234); wherein the head (130) is formed in a chip (200) of semiconductor material, each air-gap (230a; 230b) being disposed in the vicinity of a free surface of the chip (200).