Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray used for transporting a number of hard disk drive heads (HDD heads). The tray (10) according to the invention has small-projections provided on a part of the surface of the positioning part (12, 15) which contacts the HDD head (30) when the HDD heads (30) are set in the tray (10). An example of the small-projection (20) is a hemispherical projection (20) whose height is slightly larger than the thickness of the wiring (34) (e.g. about a few to several hundreds of micrometers). Another example of the small-projection is a ridge (21) of about one to several hundreds of micrometers in diameter and about a few millimeters in length. By virtue of such a design, the friction between the wire-applied surface of the HDD head (30) and the positioning part (12, 15) of the tray (10) is substantially reduced because they contact with each other only at the top of the small-projection (20, 21).

Abstract: A top surface imaging technique for top pole tip width control in a magnetoresistive (“MR”) or giant magnetoresistive (“GMR”) read/write head is disclosed in which a multi-layer structure is employed to define the thick photoresist during processing resulting in much improved dimensional control. To this end, a relatively thin upper photoresist layer is patterned with much improved resolution, an intermediate metal or ceramic layer is then defined utilizing the upper photoresist layer as a reactive ion etching (“RIE”) mask, with the intermediate layer then being used as an etching mask to define the bottom-most thick photoresist layer in a second RIE process. As a consequence, a much improved sub-micron pole tip width along with a high aspect ratio and vertical profile is provided together with much improved critical dimension control.

Abstract: A head structure for writing data on a magnetic media including a first pole having an upper surface and a write gap covering a portion of the upper surface. An upper pole tip formed on the write gap having a first width. A second pole having a second width greater than the first width and coupling to an upper surface of the upper pole tip. A conductive coil magnetically coupled to the first pole and the second pole to induce magnetic flux within the first and second pole in response to a current flowing in the coil.

Abstract: A top surface imaging technique for top pole tip width control in a magnetoresistive ("MR") or giant magnetoresistive ("GMR") read/write head is disclosed in which a multi-layer structure is employed to define the thick photoresist during processing resulting in much improved dimensional control. To this end, a relatively thin upper photoresist layer is patterned with much improved resolution, an intermediate metal or ceramic layer is then defined utilizing the upper photoresist layer as a reactive ion etching ("RIE") mask, with the intermediate layer then being used as an etching mask to define the bottom-most thick photoresist layer in a second RIE process. As a consequence, a much improved sub-micron pole tip width along with a high aspect ratio and vertical profile is provided together with much improved critical dimension control.

Abstract: A process for providing a thin encapsulation layer for thin film heads includes controlling the bias voltage of the substrate and head during the encapsulation layer deposition process. The bias voltage is first maintained at approximately 60 volts while the standard encapsulation overcoat portion of the layer is deposited. This may take approximately one hour. Over the next thirty minutes, the bias voltage is ramped from approximately 60 volts to approximately 200 volts in a gradual, linear manner to reduce the stress on the wafer and heads. The bias voltage is then maintained at approximately 200 volts for the next three hours while the remainder of the encapsulation layer is deposited. Because of the higher bias voltage, the layer is deposited in a substantially planar manner so that there is no need for a lapping back process. Stress to the head is minimized by ramping the bias voltage. In addition, relatively short studs can be used for routing signals to and from the read/write elements of the head.

Abstract: Coherent light passing through slits produces an optical interference pattern having a fringe spacing related to the spacing of the servo tracks on a magnetic disk. The convolution of the interference pattern with the servo tracks generates a servo error signal.