Magnetic head employing flux interrogation

Claim 1

A magnetic head adapted to produce a signal corresponding to a sensed level of magnetic flux, comprising: a. first and second magnetic pole pieces, and means structurally cooperating with said pole pieces so that they define a non-magnetic transducer gap therebetween; b. an elongated electrical conductor secured to and extending between the pole pieces remote from said transducer gap, said conductor having a thin single domain film of magnetic material less than 3 microns in thickness coated thereon, said film forming a closed magnetic path about the longitudinal axis of said conductor; and c. a coil inductively coupled to said conductor, said thin film covering the outer skin of said conductor, and said film having an easy axis of magnetization which is substantially in the plane of said film and which axis is substantially orthogonal to the length of said conductor, said conductor including means for applying a current having an alternating component passed therethrough, whereby said coil produces a modulated signal, the modulation of which corresponds to the level of flux traversing said pole pieces.