The write field distributions of merged MR heads and the magnetization of longitudinal magnetic recording media were investigated by using a three-dimensional simulator. The recording performance of a leading-pole trimmed merged MR head (head-2) is compared with that of a conventional merged MR head (head-1). The write field of head-2 decreases more sharply at the track edge than that of head-1. The magnetization pattern recorded by using head-1 shows track edge hooks; however, fewer hooks were recorded by using head-2. It is confirmed that the effective track width (ETW) recorded by head-2 at a low linear density is narrower and the linear density dependence of the ETW is smaller than in head-1. The phase shift of the output wave recorded by head-2 in the off-track position is smaller than that of head-1. The D50 of head-2 is higher than that of head-1.
