Patent ID: 7808736

Claim:
A servo signal recording apparatus for recording a servo signal on a magnetic tape that includes a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer, the magnetic layer having a data area capable of storing data and a servo area capable of storing a servo signal, comprising: a transportation unit that winds the magnetic tape unwound from a supply reel around a take-up reel and transporting the magnetic tape; a DC erasing unit that is placed on a downstream side in a magnetic tape transportation direction and performs DC erasure with respect to a surface layer portion of the magnetic layer by magnetization in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape; and a servo signal recording unit that is placed on a downstream side of the DC erasing unit in the magnetic tape transportation direction, rubs against the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, and records a servo signal in the servo area by magnetization in a direction opposite to a direction of the magnetization of the DC erasing unit, wherein the DC erasing unit forms a magnetization area having a depth smaller than that of an area magnetized during recording of the data, in a thickness direction from a surface of the magnetic layer.