Detecting media defects
A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. Moreover, the program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to: detect, by the controller, a change in a resistance value of at least one of a plurality of detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. Moreover, none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
1. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions executable by a controller to cause the controller to:
detect, by the controller, a change in a resistance value of at least one of a plurality of detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium,
wherein each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material,
with a proviso that none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium.
2. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to:
use, by the controller, a servo reader to determine a position along a length of the magnetic medium that corresponds to an identified defect.
3. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to:
cause, by the controller, a plurality of write transducers to write in response to detecting the change in resistance value.
4. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein a distance separating the conductive layers of each of the detector structures, measured in an intended direction of magnetic media travel, is in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm.
5. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the insulating material is the only layer positioned between the conductive layers in each of the detector structures.
6. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to:
cause, by the controller, at least one write transducer to write a signal burst on a magnetic medium at about a position of an identified defect along a length of the magnetic medium.
7. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to:
evaluate, by the controller, a number of identified defects per unit surface area of a magnetic tape to determine a quality of the magnetic tape.
8. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of detector structures are positioned in an array, wherein a width of the array of detector structures is wider in a cross-track direction than an array of the at least one write transducer.
9. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the insulating material includes a laminate of layers.
10. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein each of the detector structures includes a resistor associated therewith, wherein each resistor couples the respective pair of conductive layers together.
11. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
detecting a change in a resistance value of at least one of a plurality of detector structures for identifying an approximate location of a defect on a magnetic medium,
wherein each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material,
with a proviso that none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , comprising:
evaluating a number of identified defects per unit surface area of a magnetic tape to determine a quality of the magnetic tape.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein a distance separating the conductive layers of each of the detector structures, measured in an intended direction of magnetic media travel, is in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the insulating material is the only layer positioned between the conductive layers in each of the detector structures.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the insulating material includes a laminate of layers.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein each of the detector structures includes a resistor associated therewith, wherein each resistor couples the respective pair of conductive layers together.
17. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , comprising:
using a servo reader to determine a position along a length of the magnetic medium that corresponds to an identified defect.
18. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , comprising:
using at least one write transducer to write a signal burst on a magnetic medium at about a position of an identified defect along a length of the magnetic medium.
19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of detector structures are positioned in an array, wherein a width of the array of detector structures is wider in a cross-track direction than an array of the at least one write transducer.