Patent ID: 6172857
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A magnetoresistive head carried on a rotating drum to read signals on a magnetic tape by the helical scanning method, the magnetoresistive head comprising a magnetoresistive element sandwiched between a pair of soft magnetic material shields to detect signals on the magnetic tape in accordance with magnetoresistance effect principles,the magnetoresistive element having a magnetic sensor disposed obliquely, at a predetermined azimuth angle, to a direction perpendicular in which the magnetic tape is moved relative to the magnetoresistive head;the magnetoresitive element having an effective width, as measured relative to a width of a recording track width on the tape, that is wider than the width of the recording track on the magnetic tape, andthe effective width is 10 micrometers or less and the azimuth angle is 5.degree. to 45.degree..