Abstract: Multi-dimensional optical gratings (600, 700) of a background material (602, 702, 802) having a first refractive index and cells (604, 704, 804) of at least one different refractive index. The cells (604, 704, 804) may occupy two-dimensional or three-dimensional grids, defining the optical gratings as planar gratings (600) or cubical gratings (700), and thus providing two or three sets of surface-to-surface separations, or thicknesses, and cell-to-cell separations. The respective sets of surface-to-surface separations and cell-to-cell separations used may particularly be selected according to Bragg's law to selectively scatter respective light wavelengths.

Abstract: The method for controlling the depth of polishing during a CMP process involves the deposition of a polishing stop layer at an appropriate point in the device fabrication process. The stop layer is comprised of a substance that is substantially more resistant to polishing with a particular polishing slurry that is utilized in the CMP process than a polishable material layer. Preferred stop layer materials of the present invention are tantalum and diamond-like carbon (DLC), and the polishable layer may consist of alumina. In one embodiment of the present invention the stop layer is deposited directly onto the top surface of components to be protected during the CMP process. A polishable layer is thereafter deposited upon the stop layer, and the CMP polishing step removes the polishable material layer down to the portions of the stop layer that are deposited upon the top surfaces of the components. The stop layer is thereafter removed from the top surface of the components.

Abstract: In an essentially flat contour linear tape recording head, a nominal tape wrap angle exists at which reading signals from the magnetic tape ceases and/or commences. This nominal tape wrap angle can be easily determined by monitoring a prerecorded signal, such as the servo track signal, while the tape wrap angle is adjusted. When the signal ceases (or starts, depending upon the direction of adjustment) an initial position of the tape movement control device relative to the tape wrap angle is identified. At this initial position it is known that the tape wrap angle is at its nominal value, such as approximately 0.1°. Thereafter, the tape movement control device can be knowingly adjusted with a calibrated indicator to accurately and quickly achieve a desired final tape wrap angles.

Abstract: A process (400) to construct single- and multi-dimensional optical gratings (100, 800) of interlayers (110, 230, 310 808) of differing refractive index, either in or atop a non-fiber substrate material (104, 202, 302). The optical gratings (100, 800) may particularly be Bragg type gratings, and thus suitable for receiving a laser beam (102, 240, 802) and forming there from one or more reflected beam portions (118, 248, 810) having one or more narrow wavelengths and a passed beam portion (120, 250, 812) of other wavelengths.

Abstract: In the tape head polishing method of the present invention the tape head is moved orthogonally to the polishing medium (such as diamond polishing tape) direction of motion during polishing. The polishing medium motion is synchronized with the tape head motion, such that the polishing medium is held stationary when the tape head motion is stationary, and the polishing medium is moved when the tape head motion is approximately at a maximum velocity. The tape head velocity VH and the polishing medium velocity VT during the tape motion are generally related by the equation VT≦VH Tan &phgr;, where Tan &phgr;=W/L, where W is the width of an insulation layer fabricated between a magnetic shield and a tape head read sensor element, and L is the length of a read sensor element.

Abstract: Following the deposition of an insulation layer, a patterned P2 pole tip seed layer is deposited. Significantly, the pole tip seed layer is not deposited beneath the induction coil area of the magnetic head. A dielectric layer is next deposited and a patterned RIE etching mask that includes both a P2 pole tip trench opening and an induction coil trench opening is fabricated upon the dielectric layer. Thereafter, in a single RIE etching step, the P2 pole tip trench is etched through the dielectric material down to the seed layer, and the induction coil trench is etched through the dielectric material down to the insulation layer. The P2 pole tip is first electroplated up into its trench, an induction coil seed layer is next deposited, and the induction coil is then electroplated up into the induction coil trench.

Abstract: A frequency locker (100) for working with external light sources or frequency locked light sources (200, 300, 400) having integrated laser light sources (214, 414). The locker (100) provides multi-channel frequency tuning and stabilization with common components, particularly including common beam splitters (114, 118), an interferometer (128), and a processing circuit (138). The locked light source (200) integrates a light source (214) and single channel frequency tuning and stabilization capabilities. The locked light source (300) integrates multiple instances of the locked light source (200) within a single housing (312) to provide multi-channel capability. And the locked light source (400) provides multi-channel frequency tuning and stabilization with common components, particularly including a single beam splitter (420), an interferometer (426), and a processing circuit (434).

Abstract: The present invention includes a two-step etching process for notching the P1 pole of the write head element of a magnetic head. In a first step, the preferred embodiment utilizes a combination of C2F6 and argon gases (designated as C2F6/Ar) as the etchant gas to preferentially etch portions of the alumna write gap layer. Thereafter, in the second step, argon is used as the etchant gas to preferentially etch the P1 pole material. The C2F6/Ar etchant gas preferably includes C2F6 gas in a concentration range of from 50% to 90%, with a preferred concentration range being from 70% to 80%. The etching of the alumna write gap layer is preferably conducted with a first echant ion beam angle of from 5° to 30°, and a second etchant ion beam angle of from 65° to 85°.

Abstract: A magnetic head for a hard disk drive. The magnetic poles of the head are formed with a NiFe alloy having a graduated composition in which a higher Fe concentration is fabricated proximate the write gap layer between the magnetic poles. Each magnetic pole is fabricated in a single electroplating step in which the duty cycle of the electroplating current is altered during the electroplating operation. Where the duty cycle is greatest the Fe ion concentration is likewise greatest.

Abstract: A frequency processing system for detecting, tuning, or stabilizing light frequency or wavelength in a light beam produced by a light source. A grating block receives the light beam and may produce diffracted beams and a passed beam. The diffracted beams are received by respective detectors which produce measurement signals that are communicated to a processor. The processor then produces control signals that are communicated to the light source where they are usable for detecting, tuning, or stabilizing the light frequency or wavelength. The grating blocks particularly employ planar or cubical gratings, or gradient versions of these, to produce the diffracted beams.

Abstract: An inclining collapsible bed (200) including a mattress (214) and a support frame (218), including a number of frame members (32) where the upper ends of the frame members (32) are pivotally attached to upper connector assemblies (40), and the lower ends are pivotally attached to feet (38). The support frame (218) includes an inclining portion (206) having at least one inclining support member (208) and at least one angle retention mechanism (220), which is preferably an adjustable clip (222). The bed (200) is configured to optionally use an air mattress (14), which can be attached to the frame (214) so that the bed frame (218) is self-expanding in response to the inflation of the air mattress (14). Also an inclining collapsible bed frame (218).

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a GMR read head that is protected from electrostatic discharge (ESD) on a slider by a silicon germanium (SiGe) integrated circuit device. In a preferred embodiment the SiGe circuit device includes one or more silicon germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGe HBT) or silicon germanium carbon heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGeC HBT) that is electrically connected across the electrical leads of the GMR read head. Particular electrical connection configurations with the SiGe circuit devices include diodic modes, npn modes, series cascade modes and two stage ESD network configurations. The silicon chip may be sandwiched between the slider body and the read/write head or the read/write head may be sandwiched between the slider body and the silicon chip.

Abstract: A mixing section (10,50,60) for mixing material in an extruder (8) having a barrel (32), The mixing section (10,50,60) includes a screw (14) having a central shaft (16), and a floating annular sleeve (12) located between the screw (14) and the barrel (32), and surrounding a portion of the screw (14). The sleeve (12) has mixing elements (28) protruding radially inward toward the screw (14). A portion of the central shaft (16) has mixing elements (18) protruding radially outward toward the sleeve (12). The mixing elements (18) on the screw (14) and the sleeve (12) create multiple regions of reorientation (2) in the material to be mixed which produce improved dispersive mixing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing very high crown and camber curvature in slider materials using a laser processing system which produces fluence which is variable in a controllable manner, by applying a laser beam to the flex side of the slider material and varying the fluence of the laser beam to optimize the curvature in the slider material. The fluence is variable by finely controlling the power output of the laser or by changing the spot size of the laser beam. The beam spot size can be changed by using a focusing lens to establish a focal plane and then varying the relative positions of the slider relative and the focal plane. An apparatus for producing high crown and camber is also disclosed, as well as a slider produced by the process of applying a laser beam to the flex side of the slider material and varying the fluence of the laser beam to optimize the curvature in the slider material.