Abstract: A method of monitoring copper contamination. The method includes method, comprising: (a) ion-implanting an N-type dopant into a region of single-crystal silicon substrate, the region abutting a top surface of the substrate; (c) activating the N-type dopant by annealing the substrate at a temperature of 500° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere; (c) submerging, for a present duration of time, the substrate into an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution to be monitored for copper contamination; and (d) determining an amount of copper adsorbed from the aqueous solution by the region of the substrate.

Abstract: A computer system. The computer system including a processor and memory unit coupled to the processor, the memory unit containing instructions that when executed by the processor implement a method for monitoring a solution in a tank used to fabricate integrated circuits, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: (a) collecting data indicating of an amount of copper in a region of a substrate of a monitor, the monitor comprising an N-type region in a silicon substrate, the region abutting a top surface of the substrate, the monitor having been submerged in the solution for a preset time; (b) comparing the data to a specification for copper content of the solution; (c) if the data indicates a copper content exceeds a limit of the specification for copper, indicating a corrective action is required to prevent copper contamination of the integrated circuits; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) periodically.

Abstract: A method of monitoring copper contamination. The method includes method, comprising: (a) ion-implanting an N-type dopant into a region of single-crystal silicon substrate, the region abutting a top surface of the substrate; (c) activating the N-type dopant by annealing the substrate at a temperature of 500° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere; (c) submerging, for a present duration of time, the substrate into an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution to be monitored for copper contamination; and (d) determining an amount of copper adsorbed from the aqueous solution by the region of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for treating nasal cavity irritation, such as symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The method includes inserting a plug of a frozen liquid into a nasal cavity of a patient experiencing nasal irritation. The method also includes holding the plug against a lining of the nasal cavity to reduce the irritation.

Abstract: A percussion attachment mounts onto the rim of an African hand drum, e.g., Jembe, so that the percussionist can play both the drum and the percussion device without having to pick up a drumstick or striker. The percussion attachment has a brace and a striker. The brace has transverse curved bar that rests rest atop the annular flange formed by the crown ring of the drum. Uprights, i.e., vertical legs affixed to the curved bar extend downward so a foot portion rests against the drum. A transverse pivot member is supported on the uprights above the curved bar at a position above the rim of the drum. A cowbell or other percussion device is supported on the brace. An elongated striker pivots on pivot member, with a handle and a striker tip. The tip moves in a vertical arc so that it can hit the cowbell when the percussionist slaps the striker handle. A spring can bias the striker to a neutral position. There can be more than one striker, and more than one percussion device.

Abstract: An integrated interface structure for a nested body to provide an electrical connection. The interface structure includes nested bond pads which electrically interface with leads. The nested bond pads are fabricated on a microstructure to provide an interface to drive circuitry for transducer elements of a slider or head supported by the microstructure.

Abstract: A percussion attachment mounts onto the rim of an African hand drum, e.g., Jembe, so that the percussionist can play both the drum and the percussion device without having to pick up a drumstick or striker. The percussion attachment has a brace and a striker. The brace has transverse curved bar that rests rest atop the annular flange formed by the crown ring of the drum. Uprights, i.e., vertical legs affixed to the curved bar extend downward so a foot portion rests against the drum. A transverse pivot member is supported on the uprights above the curved bar at a position above the rim of the drum. A cowbell or other percussion device is supported on the brace. An elongated striker pivots on pivot member, with a handle and a striker tip. The tip moves in a vertical arc so that it can hit the cowbell when the percussionist slaps the striker handle. A spring can bias the striker to a neutral position. There can be more than one striker, and more than one percussion device.

Abstract: A microactuation system selectively alters a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disk having a plurality of concentric tracks. The microactuation system includes a head suspension having a first portion and a flexure for supporting the slider. A flexible beam extends from the first portion of the head suspension at one end to the flexure at the other end. An electroactive element is attached to the beam. The electroactive element bends in response to a control signal applied thereto. The beam is sufficiently compliant to permit movement of the first portion of the head suspension with respect to the flexure.

Abstract: A disc drive having a recording disc rotatable about an axis, a slider supporting a transducing head for transducing data with the disc, and a dual-stage actuation assembly supporting the slider to position the transducing head adjacent a select radial track of the disc. The dual-stage actuation assembly includes a movable actuator arm, a suspension assembly supported by the actuator arm including the flexure, a slider bonding pad supporting the slider and a microactuator. The microactuator includes a rotor attached to the slider bonding pad and a stator attached to the flexure. A beam structure operatively connects the rotor to the stator so as to permit movement of the rotor with respect to the stator. The beam structure includes a first beam pair element and a second beam pair element.

Abstract: A read/write head microactuator includes first and second insulating deposits that are flat, spaced apart by an air gap, and laterally movable responsive to a microactuator electrical drive current. First and second flat, interdigitated drive electrode deposits are deposited on the first insulating deposit. A flat, digitated sense electrode deposit is deposited on the second insulating deposit. The sense electrode deposit provides a relative position output. The sense electrode deposit faces both the drive electrode deposits across the air gap.

Abstract: A disc drive system includes a recording disc rotatable about an axis, a slider supporting a transducing head for transducing data with the disc, and a dual-stage actuation assembly supporting the slider to position the transducing head adjacent a selected radial track of the disc. The dual-stage actuation assembly includes a support structure supporting the slider in proximity to a surface of the disc, a microactuator and a capacitive position sensor. The support structure is coarsely positionable by a main actuator. The microactuator includes a stator attached to the support structure and a movable rotor operatively attached to the slider, the rotor being connected to the stator by at least one flexible beam. The capacitive position sensor connects the stator to the rotor, and provides a relative position signal representing a state of displacement of the microactuator.

Abstract: A microactuator finely positions a transducing head carried by a slider adjacent a select radial track of disc. A frame of the microactuator includes a motor for altering the position of the slider and a closed bonding tub extending upward from the bottom of the microactuator having a bonding surface to engage the top surface of the slider. The closed bonding tub is formed from the microactuator frame such that there is a tub bottom having a bonding surface, sidewalls and an open sidewall.

Abstract: A microactuator suspension supports a slider. The microactuator suspension has at least a first resilient support extending from a slider attachment pad to a suspension arm attachment pad. The slider attachment pad forms a clip which contacts the slider on side faces of the slider, and the microactuator adds little or nothing to the vertical thickness of the head gimbal assembly. The suspension arm attachment pad attaches to the gimbal with an attachment bridge which is longitudinally balanced relative to the gimbal point and relative to the air bearing centroid of the slider. The resilient supports may be beams having ends which are longitudinally spaced relative to the gimbal point, to the air bearing centroid, and to the attachment bridge to minimize moments and localized stresses on the beams. Dual beam and multiple beam arrangements are provided. The microactuator suspension further provides vibration attenuation at the slider of vibrations experienced by the suspension arm.

Abstract: A monocoque head suspension carries a read-write head on a distal end and is attachable at a proximal end to an actuator assembly. The monocoque head suspension includes a bottom skin and a top skin, and also a core positioned between the bottom and top skins. The core has voids therein that form hollow regions between the bottom and top skins. The core may be made of low-density material, such as photo-imageable epoxy, polyamide or polyimide, deposited on the bottom skin, or may be a separately formed piece. The bottom skin and top skin may be made of a stainless steel material. The monocoque head suspension may be a component of an assembly to store data to a magnetic medium and read data from the medium.

Abstract: A read/write head microactuator includes first and second insulating deposits that are flat, spaced apart by an air gap, and laterally movable responsive to a microactuator electrical drive current. First and second flat, interdigitated drive electrode deposits are deposited on the first insulating deposit. A flat, digitated sense electrode deposit is deposited on the second insulating deposit. The sense electrode deposit provides a relative position output. The sense electrode deposit faces both the drive electrode deposits across the air gap.

Abstract: A slider is provided for actively controlling a fly height of the slider relative to a data storage disc during operation of a data storage system. The slider includes a slider body having front and back surfaces, a length and a crown curvature on the front surface along the length. The slider also includes first and second elongated rails which are positioned on the front surface along the length of the slider body and form first and second bearing surfaces. Each bearing surface includes a leading portion, a trailing portion and a waist portion, wherein the waist portion is wider than the leading and trailing portions and has a maximum width within a middle half of the length of the slider body. A deformable material is positioned on the slider body having a dimension that is changeable in response to an electrical control signal applied in a deformable material, wherein a change in the dimension causes a change in the crown curvature.

Abstract: A process of forming a microactuator for positioning a transducing head over a selected radial track of a rotatable disc in a disc drive system is disclosed. A tub is etched in a substrate, and a bottom coil layer is plated at least partially in the tub. A first insulating layer is deposited on the bottom coil layer. A ferromagnetic core layer is formed on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is deposited on and around the ferromagnetic core layer. A top coil layer is plated on the second insulating layer, and contacts the bottom coil layer at a point spaced from the ferromagnetic core. A rotor is formed on a rotor substrate to confront the ferromagnetic core, is operatively attached to the slider and is movable with respect to the ferromagnetic core.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated coil-on-keeper assembly for use in a magnetic circuit to actuate a microactuator. The assembly is formed on a keeper substrate by patterning an insulator layer, plating at least one coil layer and patterning another insulator layer on top of each coil layer. The keeper substrate is etched to form the top keeper of the coil-on-keeper assembly.

Abstract: A microactuation system selectively alters a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disk having a plurality of concentric tracks. The microactuation system includes a head suspension having a first portion and a second portion coupled by one or more flexible hinges. An electroactive element is attached to the first portion of the head suspension at one end and the second portion of the load beam at the other end. The electroactive element bends in response to a control signal applied thereto. The hinge is sufficiently compliant to permit movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion of the head suspension.