With Significant Slider/housing Shaping Or Treating Patents (Class 29/603.12)
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Patent number: 8347487Abstract: A fabricating method of a magnetoresistance sensor is provided with cost effective and process flexibility features. Firstly, a substrate is provided. Then, at least one magnetoresistance structure and at least one bonding pad are formed over the substrate, wherein the bonding pad is electrically connected with the magnetoresistance structure. Then, a passivation layer is formed over the magnetoresistance structure and the bonding pad. Then, a magnetic shielding and concentrator structure is formed over the passivation layer at a location corresponding to the magnetoresistance structure. Finally, bonding pad openings is formed on the passivation layer by patterned polyimide, thereby exposing the bonding pad. After bonding pad was opened, the patterned polyimide can be removed or retained as an additional protection layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Voltafield Technology CorporationInventors: Fu-Tai Liou, Chih-Chien Liang, Chien-Min Lee
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Patent number: 8341826Abstract: A method and system for fabricating magnetic transducer are described. The method and system include providing a main pole having a bottom, a top wider than the bottom, and a top bevel. A nonmagnetic gap covering the main pole is provided. A portion of the nonmagnetic gap resides on the top of the main pole. A first seed layer is provided. At least a portion of the first seed layer covers the portion of the nonmagnetic gap on top of the main pole. A portion of the nonmagnetic gap on the magnetic recording transducer is removed after the first seed layer is provided. A second seed layer is provided after the portion of the nonmagnetic gap is removed. The second seed layer covers at least the portion of the first seed layer. A wrap-around shield layer is provided on the second seed layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Hai Jiang, Yunhe Huang, Jinwen Wang, Yun-Fei Li, Ying Hong
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Patent number: 8341825Abstract: A thermally-assisted magnetic head includes a slider including an air bearing surface (ABS) and a waveguide with a core that extends from a light entering surface to the ABS, and a laser diode (LD) unit attached to the light entering surface. The LD unit faces the light entering surface, and a photo detector faces the ABS. A polarizer that only transmits light having a polarization component orthogonal to a polarization direction of linearly polarized laser light is disposed between the ABS and the photo detector. An LD of the LD unit is activated, and the linearly polarized laser light enters the core from the light entering surface. Light radiated from the ABS enters the polarizer, and an alignment of the slider and the LD unit is performed while the photo detector detects the light transmitted through the polarizer.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Shinji Hara, Koji Shimazawa, Eiji Komura, Tsutomu Chou, Seiichi Takayama
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Patent number: 8334093Abstract: A method and system for providing a PMR pole in a magnetic recording transducer including an intermediate layer are disclosed. The method and system include providing a mask on the intermediate layer. The mask includes a line having at least one side. A hard mask layer is provided on the mask. At least a portion of the hard mask layer resides on the side(s) of the line. At least part of the hard mask layer on the side(s) of the line is removed. Thus, at least a portion of the line is exposed. The line is then removed, providing an aperture in the hard mask corresponding to the line. The method also includes forming a trench in the intermediate layer under the aperture. The trench top is wider than its bottom. The method further includes providing a PMR pole, at least a portion of which resides in the trench.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Jinqiu Zhang, Hai Sun, Hongping Yuan, Tsung Yuan Chen, Guanxiong Li
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Patent number: 8307539Abstract: A method for modeling devices in a wafer comprises the step of providing the wafer comprising a first plurality of devices having a track width and a first stripe height, a second plurality of devices having the track width and a second stripe height, and a third plurality of devices having the track width and a third stripe height. The method further comprises the steps of measuring resistance values for the first, second and third plurality of devices to obtain a data set correlating a stripe height and a resistance value for each of the first, second and third plurality of devices, and estimating a linear relationship between resistance and inverse stripe height for the first, second and third plurality of devices based on the data set.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Steven C. Rudy, Eric R. Mckie, Mark D. Moravec
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Patent number: 8296930Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor that results in the sensor having a very flat top magnetic shield. The process involves depositing a plurality of sensor layers and then depositing a thin high density carbon CMP stop layer over the sensor layers and forming a mask over the CMP stop layer. An ion milling is performed to define the sensor. Then a thin insulating layer and magnetic hard bias layer are deposited. A chemical mechanical polishing is performed to remove the mask and a reactive ion etching is performed to remove the remaining carbon CMP stop layer. Because the CMP stop layer is very dense and hard, it can be made very thin. This means that when it is removed by reactive ion etching, there is very little notching over the sensor, thereby allowing the upper shield to be very thin.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Shin Funada, Quang Le, Thomas L. Leong, Jui-Lung Li, Chang-Man Park, Ning Shi, Hicham M. Sougrati
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Patent number: 8286334Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to manufacturing pre-sliders by annealing to saturation. According to one embodiment, pre-sliders are lapped to prepare for air bearing surfaces for the pre-sliders. The pre-sliders are annealed to saturation to level off the amount of overcoat expansion for the pre-sliders.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Damaris Davis, Hardayal S. Gill, Kenneth D. MacKay, Xiao Z. Wu
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Patent number: 8276257Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a write head having well-defined, precise write head pole tips. A coplanar write head pole tip processing method provides a thin-film magnetic write head pole tip layer and defines first and second pole tips from the pole tip layer. When the pole tips are provided on a write head, a write gap can be defined using ion milling, E-beam lithography, FAB or can be deposited. The write head pole tips can be used in conjunction with read heads by merging a read head with a write head or a read head can be bonded to a write head in a piggybacked fashion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Terence Tin-Lok Lam, Vladimir Nikitin, Changqing Shi, Samuel Yuan
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Patent number: 8266785Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor having improved pinned layer stability at small track widths. The method includes providing a substrate, and depositing a plurality of sensor layers. A layer of material that is resistant to removal by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP stop layer) and an antireflective coating layer are deposited. A photoresist mask is formed on the antireflective layer, and a reactive ion etch (RIE) is performed to remove portions of the ion mill resistant mask that are not covered by the photoresist mask, the RIE being performed in a plasma chamber having a platen, the performing the RIE further comprising applying a platen power of at least 70 W. An ion milling is performed to remove a portion of the sensor layers, the ion milling being terminating before all of the sensor materials have been removed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: James Mac Freitag, Wipul Pemsiri Jayasekara, Mustafa Michael Pinarbasi
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Patent number: 8256096Abstract: Using a beam of xenon ions together with a suitable mask, a stack is ion milled until a part of it, no more than about 0.1 microns thick, has been removed so that a pedestal having sidewalls, including a vertical section and a shortened taper portion, has been formed. This is followed by formation of conductive lead layers as needed. Using xenon as the sputtering gas enables the point at which milling is terminated to be more precisely controlled.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignees: Headway Technologies, Inc., TDK CorporationInventors: Stuart Kao, Chunping Luo, Chaopeng Chen, Takahiko Machita, Daisuke Miyauchi, Jeiwei Chang
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Patent number: 8256095Abstract: An example method for manufacturing a magneto-resistance effect element includes forming a free magnetization layer and forming a spacer layer. The spacer layer is formed, for example, by forming a non-magnetic first metallic layer and forming a second metallic layer on a surface of the non-magnetic first metallic layer. A first irradiating process includes irradiating, onto the second metallic layer, first ions or plasma including at least one of oxygen and nitrogen and at least one selected from the group consisting of Ar, Xe, He, Ne, Kr, so as to convert the second metallic layer into an insulating layer and to form a non-magnetic metallic path penetrating through the insulating layer and containing elements of the non-magnetic first metallic layer. A second irradiating process includes irradiating second ions or plasma onto the insulating layer. A non-magnetic third metallic layer is formed on the non-magnetic metallic path.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiromi Yuasa, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji
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Patent number: 8233248Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a magnetic transducer is described. The transducer has a device region, a field region, and a magnetoresistive stack. The method and system include providing a hard mask on the magnetoresistive stack. The hard mask is inorganic and includes a sensor portion and a line frame. The sensor portion covers a first portion of the magnetoresistive stack corresponding to a magnetoresistive structure. The line frame covers a second portion of the magnetoresistive stack in the device region. The method and system include defining the magnetoresistive structure in a track width direction using the hard mask and providing at least one hard bias material after the magnetoresistive structure is defined. A first portion of the hard bias material(s) is substantially adjacent to the magnetoresistive structure in the track width direction. The method and system also include removing a second portion of the hard bias material(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Guanxiong Li, Wei Zhang, Ming Mao
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Patent number: 8220136Abstract: A method for forming a planarized surface for at least one bar of sliders for utilization in a hard disk drive is disclosed. In general, at least one bar of sliders is placed on an adhesive layer. A single thermoplastic layer is then provided above the at least one bar of sliders. The single thermoplastic layer is then heated to a softening temperature such that the single thermoplastic layer will flow between the at least one bar of sliders. The single thermoplastic layer is then cooled to form a planarized surface of both said single thermoplastic layer and said at least one bar of sliders at said adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B. V.Inventors: Cherngye Hwang, Jorge Goitia, Kenneth L. Larson, Dennis R. McKean
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Patent number: 8209847Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic head is provided. The method of fabricating the magnetic head includes forming a writing head on a writing head area, forming an insulating layer having an inclined surface, forming a reading head on the inclined surface of the insulating layer, and forming an air bearing surface by polishing the surfaces of the writing head. Forming the reading head includes forming a first shield layer, a reading sensor, and a second shield layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Seagate Technology InternationalInventor: Kyusik Sin
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Patent number: 8201319Abstract: A method for a slider pad that allows for contact to be mitigated without plastic deformation. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a slider that presents a transducer and has at least one air bearing surface (ABS) feature. The ABS feature comprises a pair of sidewalls spaced a distance X apart. A pad is deposited on the ABS feature so that the pad comprises a hemispherical cross-section and has a circumferential diameter greater than X. As configured, the pad may mitigate contact between the pad and a media surface with elastic deformation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: KiMyung Lee, Ying Dong, Catalin Ioan Serpe
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Patent number: 8191234Abstract: A method for protecting a thin film structure including fabricating a plurality of island structures in a recording gap of a magnetic recording head, exposing a substantial portion of the plurality of island structures by removing at least a portion of the surrounding recording gap material via at least one etching process, including ion milling, coating the magnetic recording head containing the plurality of island structures with a coating material, including silicon nitride or aluminum oxide, and removing at least a portion of the coating material via a removal process, including chemical-mechanical polishing or lapping, to expose an uppermost region of at least a portion of said plurality of island structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Cherngye Hwang
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Patent number: 8191235Abstract: The method of the present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element, which is capable of having a high MR ratio, corresponding to high density recording and being suitably applied to a magnetoresistance device even though a barrier layer is thinned to reduce resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element. The method of producing the magnetoresistance effect element, which includes the barrier layer composed of an oxidized metal, a first magnetic layer contacting one of surfaces of the barrier layer and a second magnetic layer contacting the other surface thereof, comprises the steps of: laminating the barrier layer on the first magnetic layer with using a target composed of the oxidized metal; and laminating the second magnetic layer on the barrier layer. The barrier layer is annealed before laminating the second magnetic layer thereon.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Tohoku UniversityInventors: Migaku Takahashi, Masakiyo Tsunoda, Koujiro Komagaki, Yuji Uehara, Kazuyuki Sunaga
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Patent number: 8176622Abstract: A process for manufacturing a high performance MTJ it is described: A first cap layer of NiFeHf is deposited on the free layer, followed by a second cap layer of Ru on Ta. The device is then heated so that oxygen trapped in the free layer diffuses into the NiFeHf layer, thereby sharpening the interface between the tunnel barrier layer and the free layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Cheng T. Horng, Ru-Ying Tong, Chyu-Jiuh Torng, Witold Kula
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Patent number: 8166633Abstract: A method for manufacturing an extraordinary magnetoresistive sensor (EMR sensor) having reduced size and increased resolution is described. The sensor includes a plurality of electrically conductive leads contacting a magnetically active layer and also includes an electrically conductive shunt structure. The electrically conductive leads of the sensor and the shunt structure can be formed in a common photolithographic masking and etching process so that they are self aligned with one another. This avoids the need to align multiple photolithographic processing steps, thereby allowing greatly increased resolution and reduced lead spacing. The EMR sensor can be formed with a magnetically active layer that can be close to or at the air bearing surface (ABS) for improved magnetic spacing with an adjacent magnetic medium of a data recording system.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Thomas Dudley Boone, Jr., Liesl Folks, Bruce Alvin Gurney, Jordan Asher Katine, Ernesto E. Marinero, Neil Smith
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Patent number: 8161627Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes forming an electric lapping guide layer; forming a write pole; forming a first gap layer over the write pole; masking a portion of the first gap layer for defining a window over the write pole and at least a portion of the electric lapping guide layer; and forming a bump over the write pole in the window. Additional methods and systems are presented.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Christian Rene Bonhote, Jeffrey S. Lille, Vladimir Nikitin, Aron Pentek, Neil Leslie Robertson
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Patent number: 8151441Abstract: A method for providing an electronic lapping guide (ELG) for a structure in a magnetic transducer are described. The structure has a front edge and a back edge. The ELG includes a stripe having a top edge and a bottom edge. The method includes calibrating a sheet resistance of the stripe and calibrating an offset of the top edge of the stripe from the back edge of the structure. The method further includes terminating the lapping based at least on the sheet resistance and offset of the ELG.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Steven C. Rudy, Matthew R. Gibbons, Curtis V. Macchioni, Yun-Fei Li, Changhe Shang, Carlos Corona
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Patent number: 8146237Abstract: In a magnetic head manufacturing method, a floated surface of each block having plural magnetic head elements formed and arranged on a substrate is ground and lapped in a grinding/lapping step. The grinding/lapping step contains an angle adjusting step for adjusting the angle of the floated surface of the block with reference to a magnetic-head-element formed surface of a substrate and grinding the floated surface concerned, and a finishing lapping step of lapping the floated surface at an angle adjusted in the angle adjusting step.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Ito, Osamu Fukuroi, Hiroyasu Tuchiya, Kenji Kodaka
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Patent number: 8136224Abstract: A method and system for providing a PMR pole in a magnetic recording transducer including an intermediate layer are disclosed. The method and system include providing a mask including a line on the intermediate layer. The line has at least one side, a top, and a bottom. The side(s) have an undercut such that the top of the line is wider than the bottom. The method further include providing a hard mask on the PMR transducer. The hard mask includes an aperture corresponding to the line. Thus, an aperture in the hard mask corresponding to the line is provided. The method and system also include forming a trench in the intermediate layer under the aperture. The trench has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The method further includes providing a PMR pole, at least a portion of which resides in the trench.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Hai Sun, Jinqiu Zhang, Hongping Yuan, Donghong Li, Liubo Hong, Yong Shen
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Patent number: 8136225Abstract: A method and system for providing a PMR pole in a magnetic recording transducer including an intermediate layer are disclosed. The method and system include providing a mask including a line on the intermediate layer. The method further include providing a hard mask layer on the mask and removing the line. Thus, an aperture in the hard mask corresponding to the line is provided. The method and system also include forming a trench in the intermediate layer under the aperture. The trench has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The method further includes providing a PMR pole, at least a portion of which resides in the trench.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Jinqiu Zhang, Liubo Hong, Yong Shen, Hongping Yuan, Tsung Yuan Chen, Honglin Zhu
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Patent number: 8117736Abstract: A method of lapping a magnetic head slider includes a step of lapping a lapping surface of a row bar provided with a plurality of MR read head elements arranged along at least one line, a step of obtaining at least one output signal from at least one of the plurality of MR read head elements of the row bar during lapping, the at least one output signal corresponding to element resistance, a step of detecting at least one peak value of the obtained at least one output signal, and a step of controlling an amount of lapping of the row bar depending upon the detected at least one peak value.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Naoki Ohta, Takeo Kagami
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Patent number: 8108986Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording, the write head having a write pole with an increased bevel (taper) angle. The write pole is constructed by forming a mask structure over a magnetic write pole material, and then performing a combination of sweeping or rotation with static (non-rotating, non-sweeping) ion milling at an angle relative to normal. The ion milling is performed while moving the wafer laterally within the ion milling tool to ensure that the ion milling is performed uniformly across the wafer during static milling.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Yinshi Liu
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Patent number: 8091210Abstract: A method provides a structure in a magnetic recording transducer. The structure resides on an underlayer. The method includes providing a protective layer and providing layer(s) for the structure. The protective layer covers a field region but exposes a device region in which the structure is to reside. A first portion of the layer(s) reside in the device region, while a second portion of the layer(s) reside in the field region. The method also includes removing the second portion of the layer(s) using an over-removal condition. The underlayer is covered by a remaining portion of the protective layer after the removing step is completed. The method also includes removing the remaining portion of the protective layer. An underlayer removal rate is substantially less than a protective layer during the step of removing of the protective layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Keith Y. Sasaki, Christopher T. Ngo
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Patent number: 8087157Abstract: Using a beam of xenon ions together with a suitable mask, a MTJ stack is ion milled until a part of it, no more than about 0.1 microns thick, has been removed so that a pedestal, having sidewalls comprising a vertical section that includes all of the free layer, has been formed. This is followed by formation of the longitudinal bias and conductive lead layers in the usual way. Using xenon as the sputtering gas enables the point at which milling is terminated to be more precisely controlled.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignees: Headway Technologies, Inc., TDK CorporationInventors: Stuart Kao, Chunping Luo, Chaopeng Chen, Takahiko Machita, Daisuke Miyauchi, Jeiwei Chang
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Patent number: 8082658Abstract: Methods of lapping rows of recording heads are described after an air bearing surface (ABS) damascene process is performed. The ABS damascene process uses a selective etching process to form voids in the row of recording heads where conductive material forms a feature in the recording head, such as a wrap around shield. The conductive material is then deposited on the ABS of the row to fill the voids, and the row is lapped. According to methods provided herein, the resistance of one or more lapping guides in the row of recording heads is monitored to determine when the conductive material is removed by the lapping process. When the monitored resistance indicates that the conductive material is removed, the lapping process is stopped. The resistance across one or more lapping guides may also be used to control the lapping process to uniformly lap the conductive material from the ABS.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.Inventors: Thomas D. Boone, Jr., Glenn P. Gee, Paul A. Goddu, John P. Herber, Hicham M. Sougrati, Huey-Ming Tzeng
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Method for manufacturing an electrical lapping guide for magnetic write head core width optimization
Patent number: 8082657Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head that allows the location of the flare point of a write pole to be accurately located relative to the air bearing surface. The method includes the construction of a lapping guide having an edge feature that is easily and accurately located relative to the flare point of the write pole. This edge feature provides an abrupt change in electrical resistance across the lapping guide at a point when lapping should be terminated. And, since this feature can accurately located relative to the flare point, this provides an easily discernable ending point for lapping.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Edward Hin Pong Lee, Vladimir Nikitin, Michael Ming Hsiang Yang, Yuan Yao -
Patent number: 8065787Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic head is formed by performing a head forming process, a mounting part forming process and a light source mounting process in that order. In the head forming process, a planned area is secured on a light source placing surface of a slider substrate, then a magnetic head part is formed on a head area other than the planned area and a spacer for securing a mounting space for the laser diode is formed on the planned area. In the mounting part forming process, a light source mounting part is formed by removing the spacer. In the light source mounting process, a laser diode is mounted on the light source mounting part formed by the mounting part forming step.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignees: Headway Technologies, TDK CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Sasaki, Hiroyuki Ito, Atsushi Iijima
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Patent number: 8065786Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of heat-assisted magnetic recording head, in which a light source unit can be easily joined to a slider with sufficiently high accuracy, under avoiding the excessive mechanical stress. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of: moving relatively the light source unit and the slider, while applying a sufficient voltage between an upper electrode of the light source and an electrode layer provided in the slider; and setting the light source unit and the slider in desired positions in a direction perpendicular to the element-integration surface of the slider substrate. The desired positions are positions where the light source just emits due to a surface contact between: the protruded portion of the lower surface of the light source; and the upper surface of the electrode layer, which is a portion of the wall surface of a step formed on the head part.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Koji Shimazawa, Yasuhiro Ito, Eiji Komura, Seiichi Takayama, Kosuke Tanaka
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Patent number: 8065788Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head for magnetic data recording, that allows a lapping termination point to be easily and accurately determined during lapping. The method includes constructing a lapping guide that has an electrically is formed to provide an abrupt change in resistance at a point where lapping should be terminated. This point of abrupt resistance change is located relative to the flare point of the write pole that the distance between the flare point and the air bearing surface can be accurately maintained. This abrupt resistance change also makes it possible to monitor both a stripe height defining rough lapping and an angled kiss lapping process using a single measurement channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Unal Murat Guruz, Edward Hin Pong Lee, Vladimir Nikitin, Michael Ming Hsiang Yang, Yuan Yao
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Patent number: 8051551Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic head having multiple readers includes forming a plurality of generally laterally positioned lower shields; forming a lower gap layer above each lower shield; forming a sensor above each lower gap layer; forming an upper gap layer above each sensor; and forming an upper shield above each upper gap layer; wherein an overall gap thickness is defined between vertically aligned pairs of the upper and lower shields, wherein the overall gap thickness between one of the pairs of upper and lower shields is thicker than the overall gap thickness between another of the pairs of upper and lower shields.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Peter Vandersalm Koeppe
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Patent number: 7992287Abstract: A system for fabricating a transducer for an ink jet imaging device comprises a transducer assembly including a transducer overlying at least a portion of a flexible carrier. The transducer has a top surface extending a first distance from the carrier. A spacer overlies a portion of the carrier not covered by the transducer. The spacer has a top surface extending a second distance form the carrier. The second distance is less than the first distance and corresponds to a target thickness for the transducer. A lapping tool is configured to lap the top surface of the transducer. The system includes a detector for detecting when the lapping tool contacts the lapping spacer.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Pinyen Lin, John Richard Andrews
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Patent number: 7967662Abstract: An apparatus for lapping sliders comprises a rotatable lapping plate for lapping elements that are to be formed into sliders, a pushing force adjusting member that has an internal space therein and that extends vertically along an lapping plate axis that is perpendicular to the lapping plate, a pusher for pressing the elements, the pusher being connected to the pushing force adjusting member, and gas supply means for supplying a gas into the internal space, the gas supply means being connected to the pushing force adjusting member. The pushing force adjusting member comprises a first part that includes a connection with the pusher, a second part that includes a coupling between the internal space and the gas supply means, and an axially deformable part that is located between the first part and the second part.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Kobayashi, Kiyohiko Abe, Hiroyasu Tsuchiya, Santoso Tan, Zhong Xian Wei, Chun Hua Zhang, Fa Hong Li, Ming Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 7965471Abstract: A method for forming micro-texture on an air bearing surface of a magnetic read/write slider, includes: positioning sliders arranged in arrays on a tray, each slider having a pole tip facing upward; loading the tray into a processing chamber, which is then evacuated to a preset pressure; and introducing a processing gas containing oxygen into the processing chamber; exposing the sliders to etch the surface of the slider so as to form a clear two-step structure thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Kunihiro Ueda, HongTao Ma, Hong Xin Fang, Xiao Feng Qiao, Heng Qiao, Yong Zhu
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Patent number: 7963023Abstract: An electrical lapping guide for a magnetic tape head is provided with a resistive transverse stripe with a longitudinal height affixed to a substrate. A pair of leads extend from the stripe with a notch formed therebetween. The notch has a height corresponding to a lapping target limit for associated tape head elements. During material removal of the transverse stripe and the tape head elements, resistance is measured across the stripe and a dramatic increase in resistance indicates that the material removal has reached the notch. A method for accurately machining a magnetic tape head is provided by depositing tape head elements and a resistive stripe with a notch on a substrate. Resistance is measured across leads on either side of the notch for discontinuing machining of the stripe due to a dramatic increase in resistance.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventor: Ritz Mingho Lau
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Patent number: 7950136Abstract: A process to manufacturing a TMR read head with improved voltage breakdown is performed by laying down the AP1 layer as two or more layers. Each AP1 sub-layer is exposed to a low energy plasma for a short time before the next layer is deposited. This results in a smooth surface, onto which to deposit the tunneling barrier layer, with no disruption of the surface crystal structure of the completed AP1 layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tong Zhao, Chyu-Jiuh Torng, Hui-Chuan Wang
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Patent number: 7911735Abstract: The method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head are described. The PMR head includes a base layer, a nonmagnetic metal underlayer on the base layer, and a PMR pole on the nonmagnetic metal underlayer. The PMR pole has a top that is wider than its bottom. The base layer has a first hardness with respect to a pole trim. The nonmagnetic metal underlayer has a second hardness with respect to the pole trim. The second hardness is less than the first hardness.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Kyusik Sin, Mun Hyoun Park, Honglin Zhu, Christopher T. Ngo
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Patent number: 7891080Abstract: A method for detecting head-disc contact is disclosed. The method comprises locating a head including a head positioning microactuator and at least one of a read transducer and a write transducer adjacent to a disc such that the head is in communication with the disc, monitoring an output signal from the head positioning microactuator of the head, and evaluating the output signal to determine if the head contacts the disc.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: James C. Alexander, Jason H. Laks
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Patent number: 7894162Abstract: A slider mounted read/write head is protected from thermal asperities due to head-disk interactions by a ridge formed along an interfacial plane that extends above the ABS plane of the slider. The ridge is formed as part of a lapping process that is directed from the read/write head towards the slider substrate and uses an abrasive slurry to which may be added a strong base such as KOH. The height of the ridge is less than approximately 2 nm.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: SAE Magnetics (HK) Ltd.Inventors: Niraj Mahdev, Kasumaza Yasuda, Ellis Cha
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Patent number: 7886423Abstract: A method for forming micro-texture on ABS of a slider, includes steps of: positioning sliders arranged in arrays on a tray, each slider having a pole tip facing upward; loading the tray into a processing chamber, and evacuating the processing chamber to a preset pressure; introducing a mixture gas of inert gas and hydrocarbon gas into the processing chamber, and ionizing the mixture gas to produce ion beams; exposing the sliders to the ion beam for etching so as to form micro-texture with two-step structure on the ABS of the slider. The invention also discloses a method of manufacturing a slider having micro-texture.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Sae Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: HongXin Fang, HongTao Ma, Yu Ding, Heng Qiao, BaoHua Chen
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Patent number: 7870660Abstract: A magnetic head includes: an encasing layer made of a nonmagnetic material and having a groove that opens in the top surface; a nonmagnetic metal layer made of a nonmagnetic metal material, disposed on the top surface of the encasing layer, and having a penetrating opening that is contiguous to the groove; and a pole layer made of a magnetic metal material and encased in the groove of the encasing layer and in the opening of the nonmagnetic metal layer. The pole layer has an end face located in a medium facing surface, the end face having a first portion and a second portion that is located farther from a substrate than the first portion and connected to the first portion. The first portion has a width that decreases as the distance from the substrate decreases. The second portion has a uniform width that defines the track width. In the medium facing surface, the nonmagnetic metal layer exists on both sides of the second portion, the sides being opposed to each other in the direction of track width.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yoshitaka Sasaki, Hiroyuki Itoh, Hironori Araki, Takehiro Horinaka, Shigeki Tanemura
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Patent number: 7870657Abstract: The manufacturing device for bending an electromagnetic element of an electrical machine, which includes a stator lamination (5), has a first device (10) for bending the stator lamination (5) to form a pre-curved stator lamination and a second device (25) for final forming of the pre-curved stator lamination. The second device (25) includes a first assembly (29) for axially fixing and pressing the pre-curved stator lamination and a second assembly for radially centering and pressing the pre-curved stator lamination. The first device (10) includes a bending mandrel (11) around which the stator lamination (5) bendable, which has an outer diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the fully bent electromagnetic element.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Eberhard Rau, Martin Henne, Klaus Pflueger
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Patent number: 7849585Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced slider body for use in a recording head having a transducer that is bi-directionally movable with respect to a surface of a magnetic medium. The method includes the steps of defining in a surface of a wafer a plurality of dice lanes having side walls to delineate a plurality of slider bodies on the wafer where the side walls having an angled configuration with respect to the wafer surface, polishing the dice lanes such that the interface between the wafer surface and the side walls is rounded, implanting a substance into the dice lanes; and applying a diamond-like carbon coating to the bottom surface and side walls of the dice lanes.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Inventor: Dallas W. Meyer
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Patent number: 7837885Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is an ABS design with a pitch ladder feature. This embodiment has an air flow squeezing channel which consists of one airflow blocker and three etching steps. The airflow blocker can be used to limit the incoming air flow from the leading edge of the ABS. Additionally, the embodiment contains an air channel that reduces altitude sensitivity by channeling air at the inner diameter into a sub-ambient pressure cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: SAE Magnetics (HK) Ltd.Inventors: Ellis T. Cha, Zhu Feng, Xinjiang Shen, Sindy Yeung
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Patent number: 7836579Abstract: A simple method is provided for protecting slider mounted read/write transducers from electrostatic discharge damage during the manufacture of disk drives. The method involves placing a ball of conducting thermoplastic resin, such as a gold or silver epoxy, between the terminal pads of the transducer and using the ball to shunt the pads to read-head shields and the slider substrate and thence to ground. The epoxy ball is easily applied and easily removed and can be used at different stages in the manufacturing process.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: SAE Magnetics (HK) Ltd.Inventors: Niraj Mahadev, Kazumasa Yasuda, Rudy Ayala
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Patent number: 7818875Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic write head that provides improved pole critical dimension control, such as improved track width control (improved sigma) and improved flare point control. The method involves a combination of several process improvements, such as photolithographically patterning a P2 pole tip defining photoresist frame using a zero print bias and also using a small flash field. The method also involves the use of a non-reactive ion etch to notch the first pole (P1) using the second pole (P2) as a mask.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Hamid Balamame, Daniel Wayne Bedell, Mary Kathryn Gutberlet, Clarence Kai-Sheng Hsieh, Aron Pentek, Yi Zheng
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Patent number: 7810226Abstract: A manufacturing method of a thin-film element having a lower layer with a narrower width is provided, which comprises steps of: forming a first film and a second film on the first film; forming a second layer having a width WUP obtained by trimming the second film; forming a mask film having a smaller etching rate than the first film so as to cover the second layer; forming a pattern having a width WTR larger than the width WUP, obtained by collectively trimming the mask film covering the second layer and at least an upper portion of the first film; and forming a first layer having a width WLO smaller than the width WUP or having a portion with a width WLO smaller than the width WUP, obtained by trimming the first film without changing the width WUP of the second layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Hiraku Hirabayashi, Yohei Koyanagi