Patents by Inventor Joseph Michael Stephan
Joseph Michael Stephan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11763847Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recording head that includes a write pole extending to a media-facing surface of the recording head; a near-field transducer extending to a media-facing surface of the recording head; a trailing return pole positioned between the write pole and the trailing edge; and a recessed portion that is recessed relative to the media-facing surface by a distance when no power is applied to the recording head. The trailing return pole is located in the recessed portion. The present disclosure also includes relates methods of making and detecting contact between a recording head and recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: David James Ellison, James D. Kiely, Neil Zuckerman, Edwin F. Rejda, Joseph Michael Stephan
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Patent number: 10049689Abstract: Methods that include depositing a first layer over the entire surface of a structure, the structure having a magnetic reader and a magnetic writer, wherein the magnetic reader and the magnetic writer are positioned adjacent to each other on a substrate and the magnetic writer includes a near field transducer (NFT); depositing a second layer over the entire surface of the first layer; depositing a photoresist material layer over the entire surface of the second layer, the photoresist material layer having a bottom surface in contact with the second layer and an opposing top surface; exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the bottom surface of the photoresist material layer via the NFT to form a first exposed region; and exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the top surface of the photoresist material layer to form a second exposed region.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Joseph Michael Stephan, Douglas H. Cole, Daniel Richard Buettner
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Publication number: 20180040341Abstract: A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Edwin Frank Rejda, Joseph Michael Stephan, The Ngoc Nguyen, Neil Zuckerman, Gary J. Kunkel, Douglas H. Cole, Michael A. Seigler, Chris Rea
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Patent number: 9830937Abstract: A laser is configured to emit light along a substrate-parallel plane along a first surface of the laser. An etched facet is on an emitting end of a lasing cavity and an etched mirror is on another end of the lasing cavity. An etched shaping mirror redirects light received from the etched facet in a direction normal to the substrate-parallel plane. A slider comprises an optical input coupler configured to couple the light from the laser into a waveguide of the slider. At least one protrusion is disposed on the laser and at least one recession is disposed on the slider, the at least one protrusion and the at least one recession configured to align the laser with the slider to allow the light to be coupled into the optical input coupler.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Jon Paul Hurley, Scott Eugene Olson, Ralph Kevin Smith, Joseph Michael Stephan
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Patent number: 9792935Abstract: A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Edwin Frank Rejda, Joseph Michael Stephan, The Ngoc Nguyen, Neil Zuckerman, Gary J. Kunkel, Douglas H. Cole, Michael A. Seigler, Chris Rea
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Publication number: 20170061994Abstract: Methods that include depositing a first layer over the entire surface of a structure, the structure having a magnetic reader and a magnetic writer, wherein the magnetic reader and the magnetic writer are positioned adjacent to each other on a substrate and the magnetic writer includes a near field transducer (NFT); depositing a second layer over the entire surface of the first layer; depositing a photoresist material layer over the entire surface of the second layer, the photoresist material layer having a bottom surface in contact with the second layer and an opposing top surface; exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the bottom surface of the photoresist material layer via the NFT to form a first exposed region; and exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the top surface of the photoresist material layer to form a second exposed region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Joseph Michael Stephan, Douglas H. Cole, Daniel Richard Buettner
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Patent number: 9460746Abstract: An air-bearing surface of a slider is coated with a photoresist having a high optical absorbance at or near an operational wavelength of the slider. Light is directed at a target wavelength through an entry of a waveguide integrated into the slider. The light exiting the waveguide forms a feature through the photoresist, the feature proximate a near-field transducer of the slider. A sub-micron pattern is formed using the feature.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Daniel Richard Buettner, Joseph Michael Stephan, Douglas Hampton Cole, The Ngoc Nguyen
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Patent number: 9431035Abstract: A slider comprising a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), wherein the ABS extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body. The slider comprises a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, wherein the transducer comprises a pole tip partially extending from the body. The slider comprises a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of segments. A first segment of the plurality of segments extends from the ABS and is offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body. The first segment is offset from the pole tip portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Gordon Merle Jones, Edwin Frank Redja, Joseph Michael Stephan
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Publication number: 20150348578Abstract: An air-bearing surface of a slider is coated with a photoresist having a high optical absorbance at or near an operational wavelength of the slider. Light is directed at a target wavelength through an entry of a waveguide integrated into the slider. The light exiting the waveguide forms a feature through the photoresist, the feature proximate a near-field transducer of the slider. A sub-micron pattern is formed using the feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Daniel Richard Buettner, Joseph Michael Stephan, Douglas Hampton Cole
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Patent number: 9196274Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment of a suspension for a disk drive having a slider configured for bonding with a gimbal using an adhesive. Embodiments of the slider include one or more cavities in a portion of a slider mounting surface of the slider. The one or more cavities are configured for increasing a volume of the adhesive between the slider mounting surface and the gimbal. A method of forming the one or more cavities on the slider mounting surface, and bonding together the gimbal and the slider is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Joseph Michael Stephan, Gordon Merle Jones, Douglas Hampton Cole, Christopher Unger
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Publication number: 20150333476Abstract: Two microelectronic components can be attached by flowing solder between solderable pads patterned on interfacing surfaces. According to one implementation, the microelectronic components can include the solderable pads patterned onto first respective surfaces and other surface features patterned onto second respective surfaces. In another implementation, the solderable pads can include an adhesion layer, a diffusion barrier layer, and a surface oxidation layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Lijuan Zhong, Joseph Michael Stephan, The Ngoc Nguyen, Carl Kristian Lunde
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Patent number: 9165584Abstract: A slider for a head to read data from or write data to a magnetic media is disclosed. The slider includes an air bearing surface including raised bearing surface(s) elevated above recessed bearing surface(s) to pressurize air flow along the air bearing surface to provide a fly height for the slider above the media. The raised bearing surfaces are formed along one or more raised substrate structures etched from a substrate body. The slider includes one or more insets inset into the one or more raised substrate structures formed of an inset material having a different coefficient of expansion than a substrate material of the slider to compensate for temperature and/or humidity changes.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Igor Sytine, Jeremy Adam Thurn, Joseph Michael Stephan
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Publication number: 20150170689Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment of a suspension for a disk drive having a slider configured for bonding with a gimbal using an adhesive. Embodiments of the slider include one or more cavities in a portion of a slider mounting surface of the slider. The one or more cavities are configured for increasing a volume of the adhesive between the slider mounting surface and the gimbal. A method of forming the one or more cavities on the slider mounting surface, and bonding together the gimbal and the slider is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Joseph Michael Stephan, Gordon Merle Jones, Douglas Hampton Cole, Christopher Unger
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Patent number: 8982923Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider with a cavity in a trailing end of the slider. A laser is positioned in the cavity and has an output facet positioned adjacent to a first wall of the cavity. A cap is connected to the trailing end of the slider and covers the laser.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Douglas Cole, Lijuan Zhong, Roger Lee Hipwell, Jr., Joseph Michael Stephan, Scott Eugene Olson, Tanya Jegeris Snyder, Yongjun Zhao
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Publication number: 20150040380Abstract: A slider comprising a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), wherein the ABS extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body. The slider comprises a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, wherein the transducer comprises a pole tip partially extending from the body. The slider comprises a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of segments. A first segment of the plurality of segments extends from the ABS and is offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body. The first segment is offset from the pole tip portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Gordon Merle Jones, Edwin Frank Redja, Joseph Michael Stephan
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Publication number: 20150036467Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider with a cavity in a trailing end of the slider. A laser is positioned in the cavity and has an output facet positioned adjacent to a first wall of the cavity. A cap is connected to the trailing end of the slider and covers the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Douglas Cole, Lijuan Zhong, Roger Lee Hipwell, JR., Joseph Michael Stephan, Scott Eugene Olson, Tanya Jegeris Snyder, Yongjun Zhao
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Publication number: 20150015989Abstract: A slider for a head to read data from or write data to a magnetic media is disclosed. The slider includes an air bearing surface including raised bearing surface(s) elevated above recessed bearing surface(s) to pressurize air flow along the air bearing surface to provide a fly height for the slider above the media. The raised bearing surfaces are formed along one or more raised substrate structures etched from a substrate body. The slider includes one or more insets inset into the one or more raised substrate structures formed of an inset material having a different coefficient of expansion than a substrate material of the slider to compensate for temperature and/or humidity changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Igor Sytine, Jeremy Adam Thurn, Joseph Michael Stephan
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Publication number: 20140177405Abstract: A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Edwin Frank Rejda, Joseph Michael Stephan, The Ngoc Nguyen, Neil Zuckerman, Gary J. Kunkel, Douglas H. Cole, Michael A. Seigler, Chris Rea
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Publication number: 20130277863Abstract: Two microelectronic components can be attached by flowing solder between solderable pads patterned on interfacing surfaces. According to one implementation, the microelectronic components can include the solderable pads patterned onto first respective surfaces and other surface features patterned onto second respective surfaces. In another implementation, the solderable pads can include an adhesion layer, a diffusion barrier layer, and surface oxidation layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Lijuan Zhong, Joseph Michael Stephan, The Ngoc Nguyen, Carl Kristian Lunde
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Patent number: 8532157Abstract: A method includes: positioning a laser in the cavity in an end of a slider, wherein the laser has an output facet positioned adjacent to a first wall of the cavity to define a first gap between the output facet and the first wall of the cavity, and filling at least a portion of the first gap adjacent to the output facet. An apparatus including a slider including a cavity in a trailing end of the slider, a laser positioned in the cavity and having an output facet positioned adjacent to a first wall of the cavity to define a first gap between the output facet and the first wall of the cavity, and a sealing material filling at least a portion of the first gap adjacent to the output facet is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Douglas Cole, Lijuan Zhong, Roger Lee Hipwell, Jr., Joseph Michael Stephan, Scott Eugene Olson, Tanya Jegeris Snyder, Yongjun Zhao