Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a plurality of elements selected from a group consisting of readers and writers. A servo sensor is positioned towards the elements, the servo sensor being adapted for sensing a first servo track of a magnetic medium. A fence is positioned towards the servo sensor and aligned therewith in a tape travel direction. A magnetic head in another embodiment includes a substrate and a reader positioned above the substrate, the reader having a sensor and shields sandwiching the sensor. A fence is positioned towards the reader on an opposite side thereof from the substrate, the fence being aligned with the reader in a travel direction of a magnetic medium passing thereby.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction paired to a semiconductor field-effect transistor is described. In one embodiment, there is a circuit that comprises at least one semiconductor field-effect transistor and a magnetic tunnel junction coupled to the at least one semiconductor field-effect transistor. The magnetic tunnel junction has a control line that is configured to control operational characteristics of the at least one semiconductor field-effect transistor.

Abstract: A cable in one embodiment includes a plurality of leads; and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) dissipative layer operatively coupled to the leads, the ESD dissipative layer being characterized as being at least one of translucent, semi-transparent or transparent. A cable in another embodiment includes a plurality of leads; an ESD dissipative layer operatively coupled to the leads, the ESD dissipative layer; and a metallic layer operatively coupled to the leads, the metallic and ESD dissipative layers being characterized as being at least one of translucent, semi-transparent or transparent. A cable in another embodiment includes a plurality of leads; a metallic layer operatively coupled to the leads, the metallic layer being characterized as being at least one of translucent, semi-transparent or transparent, wherein the metallic layer has a volume resistivity of greater than 1×104 ohm·cm as defined by ANSI/EIA-541-1988; and an insulating layer positioned between the metallic layer and the leads.

Abstract: A filled-gap magnetic recording head is provided comprising a flat or cylindrical contour head having a row of magnetic transducers in a gap region disposed between a rowbar substrate and a closure. The gap region is intentionally recessed to have a predetermined recess profile below a tape support surface. An electrical insulation layer is deposited on the tape support surface and on the recess profile of the gap region. The insulation layer prevents electrical shorting between the magnetic transducers and other conductive elements in the gap due to accumulations of conductive debris from the magnetic recording tape. A method of making the filled-gap magnetic recording head by intentionally recessing the gap region, cleaning the recessed profile and depositing an insulator layer is provided.

Abstract: A system such as a tape head having multiple read devices, where the read devices have less than or equal to half the width of the write devices or data tracks. The read devices are aligned adjacent to one another in the track width direction. Data tracks and guide bands can be used for track following, while a preferred embodiment uses additional readers to read servo bands for track following purposes.

Abstract: A filled-gap magnetic recording head is provided comprising a flat or cylindrical contour head having a row of magnetic transducers in a gap region disposed between a rowbar substrate and a closure. The gap region is intentionally recessed to have a predetermined recess profile below a tape support surface. An electrical insulation layer is deposited on the tape support surface and on the recess profile of the gap region. The insulation layer prevents electrical shorting between the magnetic transducers and other conductive elements in the gap due to accumulations of conductive debris from the magnetic recording tape. A method of making the filled-gap magnetic recording head by intentionally recessing the gap region, cleaning the recessed profile and depositing an insulator layer is provided.

Abstract: A method for reading data from a magnetic recording tape having multiple adjacent data tracks according to one embodiment includes simultaneously detecting signals from a plurality of read devices, at least some of the read devices being positioned over multiple data tracks while other of the adjacent read devices are positioned over single data tracks; determining which of the read devices is positioned over a single data track; and simultaneously reading data from the data tracks using only those read devices over the single data tracks. A method for reading and writing data to a magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes simultaneously writing data tracks to a magnetic medium; and simultaneously reading the data tracks on the magnetic medium using a plurality of adjacent read devices; wherein the number of the adjacent read devices is at least twice the number of the adjacent write devices.

Abstract: A method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of simultaneously written tracks. The method includes receiving signals from a plurality of adjacent readers simultaneously reading data tracks, wherein at least some of the readers that are currently reading overlie adjacent data tracks such that the reader generates signals from the adjacent data tracks; receiving a signal from at least one reader reading an alignment band; for at least each reader overlying adjacent data tracks, determining a fractional overlap of the reader relative to the underlying adjacent data tracks based on the signal from the reader reading the alignment band; and extracting data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the determined fractional overlaps of the readers relative to the adjacent data tracks thereunder.

Abstract: A design structure for an electrically tunable resistor. In one embodiment, the design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, and includes a resistor including: a first resistive layer; at least one second resistive layer; and an intermediate interdiffused layer of the first resistive layer and the at least one second resistive layer.

Abstract: An electrically tunable resistor and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the resistor includes a first resistive layer, at least one second resistive layer, and an intermediate interdiffused layer of the first resistive layer and the at least one second resistive layer. One method may include providing a first plurality of layers of different materials surrounded by at least one insulating layer, and passing a current pulse through the first plurality of layers to affect a conductivity structure of the first plurality of layers in order to obtain a first predetermined resistance value for the resistor.

Abstract: A system and method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of written data tracks and in some embodiments at least one alignment band. The system in one embodiment includes a plurality of adjacent readers for simultaneously reading the data tracks, at least some of the readers overlapping multiple data tracks. At least one reader is also present for reading the at least one alignment band. A mechanism determines a fractional overlap of each reader on the data tracks based on readback of the alignment band. A mechanism extracts data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the fractional overlap.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for dynamically controlling a recording head substrate bias voltage. The apparatus includes a midpoint module and a substrate module. The midpoint module calculates a midpoint voltage of a plurality of data read elements and servo read elements contained in the head. The substrate module calculates a substrate bias voltage. The apparatus, system, and method dynamically control the substrate bias voltage post-assembly, minimizing certain head degradations and extending the life of associated head readers.

Abstract: A read/write head for magnetic tapes configured with an in situ radio frequency (RF) shield is provided. The RF shield of the invention inhibits device elements reading data from reading RF radiation irradiated by other device elements writing data. The RF shield may be situated between the device elements of one module and the device elements of a second module. The dimensions and materials of the RF shield may be selected depending upon the operating frequencies of the head and skin depth of materials comprising the RF shield. The data cable may be bonded to device element pads of a module using ACF bonding. AFC bonding the cable to the module may allow a metal ground plane on the cable to be extended to provide additional RF shielding.

Abstract: A system for protecting an electronic device from an electrical event such as electrostatic discharge and other spurious events according to one embodiment of the present invention includes first and second leads adapted for passing an electric current through an electronic device, a first diode protection mechanism coupled to the leads such that the first diode protection mechanism is connected in parallel with the electronic device when the leads are coupled to the electronic device, and a second diode protection mechanism coupled in series with the electronic device when the leads are coupled to the electronic device.

Abstract: A sensing mechanism for reading a magnetic storage medium includes first and second variable resistive elements, and sensing elements. Each first and second variable resistive element has a variable resistance. Each sensing element has a resistance depending at least on a portion of the medium currently being read. First and second ends of each sensing element are electrically connected to corresponding first and second variable resistive elements, respectively. For each sensing element, the resistance value of the first variable resistive element to which it is electrically connected is equal to the resistance of the second variable resistive element to which it is electrically connected, so that a mid-point voltage at each sensing element is equal. For each sensing element, the variable resistances of the first and second variable resistive elements to which it is electrically connected are selected so that the desired current flows through the sensing element.

Abstract: A removable device which is used during manufacturing for ESD/EOD protection and removed when the head is mounted in a drive. The device consists of crossed diodes which are mounted in the device and will connect to the readers. Each reader has two or more crossed diodes detachably coupled to its leads. The diodes are mounted on a device which is removable at the end of manufacturing assembly and the device can be reused. The device limits the voltage across a reader to the voltage limit of the number of diodes connected in series. Crossed diodes are connected in parallel with the electrical device to be protected to protect against random current spikes in either direction through the device in question. The device has leads which can be connected to an external device to measure the reader resistance or other electrical properties.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and system are presented for adhesive bond strength recovery in a bonded system, which may be an electronic device, such as, a magnetic drive or magnetic disk drive. The adhesive bond strength of an adhesive bonding material degrades over time and under certain ambient conditions, such as humidity. The process, apparatus, and system are designed to recover at least a portion of the initial adhesive bond strength through the application of joule heating. The adhesive bonding material, and possibly the materials bonded by the adhesive bonding material, is heated via an embedded heat source within the bonded system. The embedded heat source receives electric power from a controlled power source that selectively applies power to achieve optimum heating and adhesive bond strength recovery consistent with a characterization of the bonded system, heat source, and adhesive bonding material.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and system are presented for adhesive bond strength recovery in a bonded system, which may be an electronic device, such as, a magnetic drive or magnetic disk drive. The adhesive bond strength of an adhesive bonding material degrades over time and under certain ambient conditions, such as humidity. The process, apparatus, and system are designed to recover at least a portion of the initial adhesive bond strength through the application of joule heating. The adhesive bonding material, and possibly the materials bonded by the adhesive bonding material, is heated via an embedded heat source within the bonded system. The embedded heat source receives electric power from a controlled power source that selectively applies power to achieve optimum heating and adhesive bond strength recovery consistent with a characterization of the bonded system, heat source, and adhesive bonding material.